Carry Wabi Sabi Into Any Design with Lime Paint and Roman Plaster
Ressource House of Paints booster’s a strong reputation of creating natural and environmentally friendly paints that elevate any space. In its’ commitment to creating a diverse array of colors and finishes, Since 1948, Ressource has developed multiple collections that draw inspiration from nature and cultures of the world, such as the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi. This design style which reflects a minimalist and natural perspective is perfectly accented with Ressource Lime Paint or Roman Plaster.
Wabi Sabi stems from an appreciation and celebration of the incomplete, imperfect, and organic. It can relate to art, style, and design using asymmetry, simplicity, and the natural roughness of materials to embody a minimalistic lifestyle that strays from the materialistic values of society. Wabi Sabi originated for artistic styles and Buddhist influence in China, but quickly evolved into a unique part of Japanese culture made popular by noble members of society who honored its’ implications. They believed its reflection of minimalism and deep understanding of the imperfect was key in the path to enlightenment. By utilizing organic elements and exposing the genuinity of flaws, Wabi Sabi liberated them from the materialist world and encouraged a simpler life they aspired to achieve.
In the world of Interior Design, the Wabi Sabi aesthetic has had a large resurgence. In the fast-paced, modern, material driven society that surrounds us, many now strive to bring minimalism and organic materials into their spaces. Its principles are highlighted by displaying the natural elements, construction, and artistry of the architecture whether that be through exposed brick, concrete, structural support, wood, and imperfections and markings in paint/plaster. When accented with minimalist furniture and organic materials, these raw elements give a space immense character and allow the space to share its story.
Famous designers such as Axel Vervoordt have brought Wabi Sabi design elements to the forefront of the interior design scene. Through his exceptional use of muted tones and raw materials, Axel has produced renowned minimalist interiors. By displaying the natural character of the wood, concrete, and plaster, Axel’s designs all convey the history of the space, allowing the interior to share its own story. By adding furnishings with intriguing lines and shapes, Axel brings focal points to each room that add a modern flare to the ancient aesthetic.
Are you looking to add some Wabi Sabi aesthetic into your space? Lucky for you, Ressource House of Paints has some options to help add organic texture, color, and character to any room.
Ressource boasts a long history of mastering organic paints. Not only are our paints VOC free, but their organic components are environmentally safe. Lime Paint, one of Ressource’s effect paints, is a natural, water-based paint that bring a beautiful texture to any wall.
Lime paint is an organic paint that dates to the ancient Romans. Its main component, ground limestone, gives the paint a natural chalky matte finish that is popular for adding texture and depth to flat surfaces. The high pH of the limestone makes the paint antimicrobial and is argued to improve overall air quality. Due to its organic components, lime paint can be applied in a variety of methods that alters its final appearance. Each application style displays the markings of the artisan, which, when combined with the natural beauty of the paint, utilize imperfections and inconsistencies to bring character to the wall.
When applied with a brush, lime paint showcases each brushstroke, displaying the true artisanship of the painter. When combined with its matte appearance, these brush strokes created a beautiful and organic texture. By celebrating the imperfection and craftsmanship, this application of lime paint is a great way to bring elements of Wabi Sabi into your space. Samples of the brushed lime paint are available on our online store.
For brushed lime paint, the application involves two steps, and an optional third coat of protective sealer. On sanded, well-primed surface, apply one coat of Ressource undercoat. This specially designed primer is tinted in the same shade as the paint and creates the optimal porous surface for the lime paint to adhere to. Once the undercoat has dried, apply the first coat of lime paint, allowing the paint to completely dry before applying a second coat. The paint can be applied in either vertical brush strokes of in a crosshatching motion, which will alter the final texture of the surface. For high traffic areas, it is recommended that a coat of protective sealer is applied to help prevent damage to the paint.
When applied with a stainless-steel trowel, lime paint can be burnished to provide a gorgeous smooth finish. Due to the properties of lime, the stainless-steel trowel alters the texture of paint creating a gorgeous flat surface filled with movement. Just like the brushed application style, this application requires Ressource’s tinted undercoat followed by two coats of lime paint. The main difference in application is the tools and skills of the painter. Burnishing the lime paint does requires a stainless-steel trowel and is time sensitive, so the artisan should have either knowledge of experience of the technique. Each pass of the trowel will result in the gorgeous movement that makes this style popular and showcases the nature of the lime paint and the work of the painter. Samples of the Burnished Lime Paint are available on the Ressource website.
Along with its lime paint collection, Ressource also carries Roman Plaster, which is available in 64 colors. This beautiful matte plaster provides a smooth texture that carries the Wabi Sabi perspective into any design. Like lime paint, Roman Plaster’s main component is limestone, which provides similar organic environmentally friendly properties. The application requires three steps. First, to a smooth surface, a rough primer is applied to provide grit to the surface. After the rough primer has dried, a mineral plaster undercoat is applied using a trowel, which helps bare the weight of the plaster. Once the mineral undercoat has set, the Roman Plaster can be applied. The final plaster should be gently sanded to create the final smooth surface.
By highlighting the imperfections and craftsmanship Ressource’s Lime Paint and Roman Plaster uphold the ancient principles of Wabi Sabi and are the perfect wall finishes to help bring it into your space. For more information, please visit the product pages or reach out to our consultants who are more than happy to help you elevate your project with tips and ideas, or email our office to receive an estimate on lime paint or roman plaster application.