Creating character in a new-build home is often one of the most subtle and challenging aspects of interior design. When everything is smooth, straight, and newly built, the question becomes: How do you bring depth, warmth and a sense of time to a space that hasn’t lived yet?
In this project, based in Cork, we partnered with our customer Helena and Miriam from Minnie Peters to introduce nuanced, tactile surfaces into a contemporary home using lime render on two feature walls with two bioethanol fireplaces, with a focus on traditional craftsmanship and a pared-back finish.
Let's dive in.
Helena’s goal was to blend a timeless aesthetic with the clean structure of a new build—making it feel elegant, but not pristine; soft, but not rustic. The walls needed to feel organic and storied, but still minimal enough to support the home's restrained design palette.
Lime render was the perfect medium. With its matte texture and mineral depth, it allowed us to echo traditional plastering methods while delivering a finish that sits comfortably in a modern interior.
We applied a fine-textured, breathable lime render, tinted with natural pigments. Helena chose a soft off-white with gentle brown undertones — a shade that’s quickly become one of our favourites. Understated and refined, it transforms subtly throughout the day as the light changes.
Lime render is a natural, mineral-based material that’s been used in construction for centuries. Unlike synthetic plasters or acrylic finishes, it allows the wall to breathe, regulates moisture, and develops a rich, layered patina over time. It’s particularly suited for both heritage renovations and thoughtful contemporary builds.
For this project, we used a fine lime render designed to create soft, matte surfaces with a naturally textured feel. Its formulation allows for thin, layered application, offering a refined powdery finish with subtle tonal variations. The texture is what sets it apart — dry to the touch yet visually rich, it brings depth and character to walls in a way that feels both minimal and timeless. Ideal for high-end interiors, it responds beautifully to light and adds a quiet, handcrafted elegance to any space.
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What appears soft and effortless on the surface was, in truth, the result of an incredibly technical and detailed execution.
This design featured rounded edges, integrated shelving, recessed details, and custom joinery — all requiring millimetre precision in application. With lime render, there is no room to hide imperfections. Every join, every return, every transition remains visible. We had to sculpt and refine the material continuously, working it over complex forms while preserving the subtle, hand-trowelled aesthetic.
A specialised mineral primer was applied first to ensure adhesion and consistency across different substrates. The lime render was then built up in ultra-thin layers, each one carefully controlled to manage drying times and avoid cracking. Between coats, we rehydrated the surface with a fine mist to activate the lime and allow the next layer to bond seamlessly.
Every corner was shaped by hand. Each insert was polished, then re-polished. Because the colour is integral to the material — not painted over — the finish had to be flawless from the start. There was no margin for error.
Ultimately, the final result is defined by the hand of the applicator. The movement, pressure, and rhythm of the tools shape the surface’s depth and nuance — making each project truly one of a kind.
The end result is quiet, natural, and grounding—walls that soften the geometry of a new build while adding warmth and tactility. Light moves across the surface beautifully, picking up subtle variations in tone and texture.
There’s a lived-in calmness to the finish that’s hard to describe but instantly felt. It’s not rustic, nor is it overly designed. It simply belongs—as though it’s always been there.
While this project focused on interiors, it also highlighted a technique we increasingly recommend for outdoor applications.
A combination of lime render + lime paint, sealed with Hydro HO, creates a breathable, weather-resistant system that’s especially suited for older exterior walls, courtyards, or sheltered outdoor rooms. It allows the walls to age gracefully, resist moisture, and develop a soft, chalky patina rather than peeling or flaking.
If you're looking to revive exterior surfaces without trapping moisture or introducing synthetic coatings, this mineral-based system offers a natural and long-lasting solution.
Working alongside Helena and bringing Miriam’s vision to life on this project was an absolute treat. Their sensitivity to materials and their eye for quiet luxury aligned perfectly with our approach to surface finishes. This project is a reminder that even in a new build, character doesn’t need to be loud—it just needs to be crafted with intention.
We hope you enjoyed reading the step-by-step process behind this feature, and that you are feeling inspired for your own future projects.
If you’re inspired to experience the transformative power of llme render in your own home, explore our range of luxury textured finishes.
With a commitment to quality and craftsmanship, we’ll help you achieve a space that’s both beautiful and enduring.
Creating character in a new-build home is often one of the most subtle and challenging aspects of interior design. When everything is smooth, straight, and newly built, the question becomes: How do you bring depth, warmth and a sense of time to a space that hasn’t lived yet?
In this project, based in Cork, we partnered with our customer Helena and Miriam from Minnie Peters to introduce nuanced, tactile surfaces into a contemporary home using lime render on two feature walls with two bioethanol fireplaces, with a focus on traditional craftsmanship and a pared-back finish.
Let's dive in.
Helena’s goal was to blend a timeless aesthetic with the clean structure of a new build—making it feel elegant, but not pristine; soft, but not rustic. The walls needed to feel organic and storied, but still minimal enough to support the home's restrained design palette.
Lime render was the perfect medium. With its matte texture and mineral depth, it allowed us to echo traditional plastering methods while delivering a finish that sits comfortably in a modern interior.
We applied a fine-textured, breathable lime render, tinted with natural pigments. Helena chose a soft off-white with gentle brown undertones — a shade that’s quickly become one of our favourites. Understated and refined, it transforms subtly throughout the day as the light changes.
Lime render is a natural, mineral-based material that’s been used in construction for centuries. Unlike synthetic plasters or acrylic finishes, it allows the wall to breathe, regulates moisture, and develops a rich, layered patina over time. It’s particularly suited for both heritage renovations and thoughtful contemporary builds.
For this project, we used a fine lime render designed to create soft, matte surfaces with a naturally textured feel. Its formulation allows for thin, layered application, offering a refined powdery finish with subtle tonal variations. The texture is what sets it apart — dry to the touch yet visually rich, it brings depth and character to walls in a way that feels both minimal and timeless. Ideal for high-end interiors, it responds beautifully to light and adds a quiet, handcrafted elegance to any space.
What appears soft and effortless on the surface was, in truth, the result of an incredibly technical and detailed execution.
This design featured rounded edges, integrated shelving, recessed details, and custom joinery — all requiring millimetre precision in application. With lime render, there is no room to hide imperfections. Every join, every return, every transition remains visible. We had to sculpt and refine the material continuously, working it over complex forms while preserving the subtle, hand-trowelled aesthetic.
A specialised mineral primer was applied first to ensure adhesion and consistency across different substrates. The lime render was then built up in ultra-thin layers, each one carefully controlled to manage drying times and avoid cracking. Between coats, we rehydrated the surface with a fine mist to activate the lime and allow the next layer to bond seamlessly.
Every corner was shaped by hand. Each insert was polished, then re-polished. Because the colour is integral to the material — not painted over — the finish had to be flawless from the start. There was no margin for error.
Ultimately, the final result is defined by the hand of the applicator. The movement, pressure, and rhythm of the tools shape the surface’s depth and nuance — making each project truly one of a kind.
The end result is quiet, natural, and grounding—walls that soften the geometry of a new build while adding warmth and tactility. Light moves across the surface beautifully, picking up subtle variations in tone and texture.
There’s a lived-in calmness to the finish that’s hard to describe but instantly felt. It’s not rustic, nor is it overly designed. It simply belongs—as though it’s always been there.
While this project focused on interiors, it also highlighted a technique we increasingly recommend for outdoor applications.
A combination of lime render + lime paint, sealed with Hydro HO, creates a breathable, weather-resistant system that’s especially suited for older exterior walls, courtyards, or sheltered outdoor rooms. It allows the walls to age gracefully, resist moisture, and develop a soft, chalky patina rather than peeling or flaking.
If you're looking to revive exterior surfaces without trapping moisture or introducing synthetic coatings, this mineral-based system offers a natural and long-lasting solution.
If you’re inspired to experience the transformative power of llme render in your own home, explore our range of luxury textured finishes.
With a commitment to quality and craftsmanship, we’ll help you achieve a space that’s both beautiful and enduring.
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