WALLS
We’re definitely seeing a huge trend towards textured wall finishes right now. These wall treatments exude a natural, earthy warmth that celebrate imperfection, and pair beautifully with other textural materials, such as raw timber and slubby linen. For this look, we want the walls to have a warmth about them, looking a little more like the baked earth of the Mediterranean, rather than the cold concrete of an industrial warehouse.
There are many ways to achieve a textural look on internal walls, from bagged brick, to cement render… but the trends were seeing most prominently right now all involve one key component – lime, aka crushed limestone.
Limewash
Limewash is essentially a painted surface that incorporates tiny particles of crushed limestone, creating surfaces that are mottled and matte, with a chalky texture –something like suede. Available in a wide array of different colours, limewash lends luminosity to flat walls, and brings real depth to a space.
Look to the warmer colours in a lime wash paint or suede effect that lean to brown or yellow, like beige, cream and cashmere. Steer clear of textured walls in bright colours such as turquoise and purple that were applied using sponges in the 90s or the bright orange ‘Tuscan’ look. This time around it’s about a more natural, earthy look.
Venetian Plaster
When pigment is added to aged slaked lime plaster, the finish is known as Venetian plaster. The application in thin translucent layers creates a uniquely textured, soft yet polished finish, giving the appearance of depth and movement due to the marble dust combined with lime. Seen internationally in projects by designers-to-the-stars Axel Vervoordt and Vincent Van Duysen, we’re seeing a lot of this polished plaster finish in Australian interiors right now – and there’s no better example than in the award-winning ‘Budge Over Dover’ project by YSG Studio in Sydney, which features pigmented Venetian Plaster in a range of incredible colours, on both walls and ceilings!
Tadelakt
Tadelakt has a similar soft, textural appearance to a limewash effect, but is perfect for wet areas. It’s a waterproof lime plaster surface used in Moroccan architecture. As it’s applied to the surface with a trowel, it gives a beautiful seamless appearance. Unlike tiles in the bathroom, there are no grout lines and it applies to curves effortlessly. When applied by a professional installer it can be used on all surfaces in a bathroom; walls, floor; vanity bench, and even the vanity basin.