Hi folks!
The latest issue of COLOR TALK, my quarterly newsletter, will be a bit late due to death in the family. It should be out by the end of June. It will be about current tableware trends, including both design directions and colors! So if you are interested in being notified of when it will be ready, drop me an e-mail.

However, since I’m getting toward the end of a total kitchen remodel, I will talk about PAINT briefly! I've been painting my own kitchen and living room using lime wash paint by Portola Paints. I’m speaking of the paint, not the faux finish “lime wash” look that is available in most paint stores. A simplified definition of lime paint is that it is a traditional paint made kind of like plaster of Paris and contains slaked lime. It is used extensively in Mexico to paint over stucco or plaster walls. This stuff is pretty amazing if you’ve never worked with it.

Real lime paint breathes and is non-toxic when dry. In fact, it seems to have virtually no VOCs at all, which makes it a wonderful choice if you are sensitive to chemical odors. The other great thing about this type of paint is that it has wonderful color variations that give it the rustic appearance not unlike being in a colonial chapel in Mexico.

Working with this stuff is not for your average do-it-yourselfer though. It entails a lot of work: special primer, 2 coats of lime paint, and 2 coats of sealer. Plus not to mention that special brushing technique which would make most people tire after only a day of painting! But after doing several hundred square feet of this stuff, I definitely know some tips and tricks in case you are interested in Portola Paint’s special lime wash.

The other paint I have been using is Ellen Kennon’s Full Spectrum Paints, mainly Violet and Amethyst. Violet is an amazing color, I've used it on an accent wall at the bottom of a staircase and to line the inside of a skylight. Violet is a pale lavender-blue-grey shade that is very complex. It changes from baby blue, to violet, to grey and even looks white sometimes! I've paired it with Portola's Cornhusk and Cape Cod Sunset. I've also purchased the Gustavian Grey and Old Brick but haven't tried either yet.

More about the kitchen soon, I'll post some before and after pictures soon!
Cheers and happy painting!
~Reb