Most Popular Interior Project
Fireplace
Limewash
Modernize your dated brick fireplace in a single day. Natural mineral coatings that transform the entire room — our most requested interior project.
The Transformation
One Day. Completely Different Room.
A dated brick fireplace anchors the entire room in the wrong era. Dark red, orange, or brown brick makes everything around it feel heavy and outdated — no matter how much you update the furniture and decor.
Limewash changes the entire dynamic. The brick goes from a liability to the focal point. The room opens up, feels brighter, and suddenly reads as intentional and curated rather than "builder-grade 1990s."
Unlike paint, limewash is translucent. You still see the brick texture and subtle color variation underneath — that's what gives it the authentic, old-world character that flat paint can never replicate.
Results
Fireplace Transformations
Dark red brick to soft white
Hinsdale, IL
Orange brick to warm cream
Burr Ridge, IL
Brown brick to light gray
Western Springs, IL
The Process
How We Limewash Your Fireplace
Protect & Prep
We mask the mantle, hearth, floor, and surrounding walls. The brick is cleaned — soot, dust, and any residue removed. Loose mortar is patched.
Dampen
The brick surface is misted with water. This controls absorption so the limewash doesn't dry too fast and bonds evenly across the surface.
Apply
Romabio Classico Limewash is applied with a masonry brush in crosshatch strokes. We control the dilution ratio and technique to hit your desired level of coverage and transparency.
Refine
While the limewash is still workable, we wash back select areas with water and a brush to create natural variation — revealing more or less brick until you approve the final look.
Product Options
Choosing the Right Finish
Romabio Classico Limewash
The most popular choice for fireplaces. Creates a soft, mottled, translucent finish where the original brick texture shows through. Available in whites and warm neutrals — Avorio White (warm off-white) is our #1 requested color. One coat for a light wash, two for more coverage.
Romabio Masonry Flat
For homeowners who want fuller, more uniform coverage — or dark colors like charcoal, navy, or sage that Classico can't achieve. A mineral paint that still breathes and bonds with the brick, but with a smoother, more consistent finish. Comes with a 20-year warranty.
Already Painted?
If your fireplace has been painted before, we can apply Masonry Flat with MicroGrip Primer over the existing paint — no stripping needed. Or if you want the authentic Classico limewash look, we can strip the paint first.
Investment
Fireplace Limewash Pricing
| Standard fireplace surround | $500 - $900 |
| Floor-to-ceiling fireplace | $900 - $1,500 |
| Large stone fireplace / chimney wall | $1,200 - $2,500+ |
| Paint stripping (if needed) | +$200 - $500 |
Pricing includes all prep, masking, cleaning, materials, application, and cleanup. No hidden fees. We provide exact pricing with a free in-home estimate — usually within 24-48 hours.
Common Questions
Fireplace Limewash FAQ
Most fireplace limewash projects are completed in a single day — typically 3-5 hours including prep, application, and cleanup. Larger floor-to-ceiling fireplaces or stone surrounds may take a full day. We schedule a specific appointment window so you know exactly when we'll be there.
We recommend waiting at least 7-10 days before using a wood-burning fireplace, and 48-72 hours for gas fireplaces. The limewash needs time to fully cure and carbonate. After that, it handles fireplace heat without any issues — limewash has been used on fireplaces for centuries.
Limewash needs to bond with raw masonry, so it won't adhere over paint. For previously painted fireplaces, we have two options: strip the paint and apply Classico Limewash, or use Romabio Masonry Flat with MicroGrip Primer over the existing paint. We'll recommend the best approach when we see your fireplace.
We clean soot and creosote buildup during prep before any limewash is applied. For heavy soot staining, we use a degreasing agent to ensure the surface is clean and the limewash bonds properly. The cleaning is included in our project price.
The most popular fireplace colors are Romabio's Avorio White (warm off-white, our most requested), Bianco White (bright true white), and Nube Gray (subtle gray). The beauty of limewash is that it's translucent — some of the original brick shows through, creating depth and texture that flat paint can't achieve.
Fireplace limewash typically runs $500-$1,500 depending on the size of the surround, brick condition, and whether the mantle area is included. Floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces are on the higher end. We provide exact pricing with a free in-home estimate.
Romabio Classico Limewash has a VOC content of just 3.9 g/L — compared to 50-250 g/L for typical interior paints. Romabio Velatura Mineralwash is zero VOC and completely toxin-free. Both are hypoallergenic and safe for bedrooms, nurseries, and living spaces. There's no chemical smell during or after application.
Romabio products are available at Home Depot and Lowe's for DIY use. However, the artisan technique — controlling dilution, crosshatch brushwork, selective distressing for the right amount of brick show-through — takes practice to get right. Most homeowners who try it first end up calling us to refinish it. A professional application ensures you get the look you want the first time.
Transform Your Fireplace
One day. No mess. A completely different room. Get a free estimate for your fireplace limewash project.