10/03/2026
Hi everyone. Having grown up and lived in historical properties most of my life, I'm increasingly passionate about raising awareness of how to take good care of them.
Historic buildings will endure. But we need to ensure we don't stand in their way.
If you own a property that was built before 1950, there's every likelihood it was built with traditional solid walls using natural construction materials such as earth, stone, brick, and timber. In some cases they will also have been coated using lime plaster or render. These materials have the capacity to absorb, store, and later release moisture and heat. They help moderate internal humidity and temperature, providing and maintaining a healthy, comfortable, and more stable indoor environment for us. But such buildings need to be able to breathe.
Using plastic or semi-plastic paint on traditionally built walls can lead to several issues due to the lack of breathability. The potential for moisture retention within the walls can arise leading to damp and potential mould growth, peeling and flaking of paint, as well as fabric decay.
Furthermore, in this day and age we create much more moisture within our homes than was ever anticipated when they were built. Steam from kettles, boiling pans and daily showers can, over time, lead to surface condensation and again risks of mould growth
and fabric decay.
It's crucial to use breathable paints that are compatible with the materials of traditionally built walls to avoid these issues.
These paints include lime, clay and chalk based paints as well as linseed oil paints for woodwork.
All such paints not only allow your building to breathe as intended, they're also non-toxic, made from plant and mineral based ingredients, making them safe for families, allergy sufferers, and those who wish to avoid unnecessary chemical exposure from environmentally harmful petrochemicals & plastics.
There are a range of brands out there to choose from - here are some.
Earthborn
Auro
Graphenstone
Ingilby Paints
Rose of Jericho
Edward Bulmer
If you're thinking of wallpapering - look for non-woven papers and wallpaper pastes from the above companies.
It was while living in a listed Georgian coach house that I realised I was just part of it's story that began hundreds of years before me and would continue for hundreds of years after. I was its custodian, just for fifteen years, but I realised that I needed to honour its past and prepare it to welcome the future.
Make sure, when renovating or decorating, you make the right choice for your historic home.
If you want to hear more from me - please like my post.
If you would like support to make the right choice in terms of design and materials please email me at [email protected] and I'll send you my welcome pack.
You can find out more by visiting my website at: www.atpinteriordesign.co.uk
Thanks for reading - Annie
