Forgotten Colors, Part III: Lost Paint Techniques That Are Making A Quiet Comeback
In Parts I and II of our Forgotten Colors series, we explored the legacy of long-lost paint brands—from the early American icons like Devoe and Acme to the European innovators behind Ripolin and Reckitt's Blue. But to truly understand the character of historical paint, we must go deeper than brand names. We must look at how paint was once made, mixed, and applied.
Before rollers, sprayers, and synthetic chemistry, painting was a hands-on, layered process rooted in nature and artistry. Many of those traditional techniques have disappeared from mainstream practice. And yet, in today’s most thoughtful and design-savvy homes, we’re seeing subtle echoes of them once more.
Here, in the final chapter of our series, we explore five forgotten techniques—and how they’re quietly making a comeback.
Milk Paint: The Original Eco Finish
Made from a blend of milk protein (casein), lime, and earth pigments, milk paint is one of the oldest and most naturally derived paints in history. Its use stretches back thousands of years, but it was especially popular in early American furniture, cabinetry, and colonial interiors.
Milk paint creates a chalky, ultra-matte surface that bonds directly with raw wood and plaster. It often wears gently over time, developing a patina that feels authentic and lived-in.
Why it’s coming back: Designers and homeowners seeking nontoxic, VOC-free finishes with real texture are turning to brands like Old-Fashioned Milk Paint and Real Milk Paint Co. In historic homes—especially in towns like Wilton or Weston—it offers a way to stay true to original character while using modern safe formulations.
Casein-Based Paints: Europe’s Silent Surface
Similar to milk paint but slightly more refined, casein-based paints gained popularity in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Casein (derived from milk curds) creates a stronger film than basic limewash but still allows walls to "breathe," making it ideal for older masonry and plaster walls.
These paints were often used in institutional and civic buildings, prized for their softness and evenness of tone.
Why it’s coming back: Today, casein paint is still used in restoration work and by high-end European brands like Kreidezeit and Auro. Its ability to create calm, velvety walls without synthetic binders aligns with the slow-living, nature-inspired interiors now favored in Fairfield County’s more intentional homes.
Whitewashing & Limewash: Weathered Beauty
Whitewash, often confused with modern paint, is actually a completely different product. Traditional whitewashing was made from slaked lime and water, sometimes with salt or glue added. When applied to stone or plaster, the lime would cure into a breathable, antibacterial coating with a soft, clouded finish.
Limewashing goes beyond white—when tinted with natural earth pigments, it can create warm grays, dusty ochres, and serene clays. As it wears, it fades gracefully rather than peeling.
Why it’s coming back: Limewash is everywhere in the modern design world—from plaster-style accent walls to full European-inspired interiors. Brands like Bauwerk and Portola Paints have elevated limewash into a luxury surface finish, offering nuanced hues with complex depth. In homes from Westport to Darien, it's an elegant way to add texture without visual clutter.
Distemper: The Velvety Matte of the Past
Distemper is one of the most ancient and misunderstood paint types. Made from water, chalk, and a simple binder like animal glue, it was once the go-to for European manor houses, churches, and castles. Its powdery, ultra-matte finish absorbs light and offers a romantic, soft-focus effect.
However, distemper is delicate. It doesn’t hold up to moisture or heavy cleaning, which is why it disappeared from practical use.
Why it’s coming back: Designers today are drawn to the poetic impermanence of distemper, especially in bedrooms, formal dining rooms, and studies. Brands like Pure & Original and Rose Uniacke Studio have brought this material into modern palettes. Used selectively, it adds atmosphere no flat latex can replicate.
Hand-Brushed Finishes: Intentional Texture
Before airless sprayers and synthetic rollers, all painting was done with brushes—often using natural bristles and layered coats. The result wasn’t a smooth, machine-perfect wall, but a subtle rhythm of hand-applied texture.
While this may seem old-fashioned, many luxury design projects now seek to replicate that look with artisanal brushwork, particularly on cabinetry, trim, and specialty plaster walls.
Why it’s coming back: We associate brushstrokes with care. A hand-painted finish doesn’t just coat a surface—it creates one. While not every project or painter calls for this level of detail, in the right hands, brushed finishes can add subtle texture and quiet elegance that machine application can’t replicate.
Past Meets Present
These techniques are more than relics. They are reminders that painting was once a craft, not just a coating. In a world filled with fast solutions, there is something quietly powerful about the old ways—where color wasn’t just applied, it was layered, built, and earned.
At Stanwich Painting, we believe the best homes don’t just follow trends—they reflect depth, intention, and artistry. Whether it’s a velvet-soft wall or a subtly brushed doorframe, we carry forward the spirit of these lost techniques, giving them new life in the homes of today.
Stanwich Painting proudly serves Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Riverside, Wilton, Darien, and Westport homeowners who value timeless craftsmanship. Visit our website to read the full Forgotten Colors series or call today for a personalized consultation.
References and CitationsMilk PaintOld-Fashioned Milk Paint Company, “History & Use of Milk Paint,” www.milkpaint.comReal Milk Paint Co., “About Milk Paint,” www.realmilkpaint.comHistoric New England, Colonial Finishes and Early Paint Recipes, Research Collection, 2017
Casein-Based PaintsKreidezeit Natural Paints, “Casein Paint Applications,” www.kreidezeit.deAuro Paints, “Natural Wall Paints with Casein Binders,” www.auro.deArchitectural Finishes in 19th Century Europe, International Journal of Heritage Architecture, Vol. 4, 2018
Whitewashing & LimewashPortola Paints, “Lime Wash Finishes,” www.portolapaints.comBauwerk Colour, “What is Limewash?” www.bauwerkcolour.comU.S. National Park Service, Preservation Brief 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork, Technical Preservation Services
Distemper PaintRose Uniacke Studio, “The Use of Distemper in Modern Interiors,” www.roseuniacke.comPure & Original Paints, “Fresco and Traditional Distemper Products,” www.pure-original.comThe Victoria & Albert Museum, Paint and Wall Finishes in Historic Interiors, Conservation Bulletin, 2014
Hand-Brushed FinishesFine Paints of Europe, “Proper Brush Application Techniques,” www.finepaintsofeurope.comStanwich Painting internal methods and application notesCraftsman-Style Restoration Techniques, Journal of Historic Building Conservation, Vol. 12, 2021
Sources ConsultedThis article draws on historical archives, manufacturer records, and independent research. Information reflects the most accurate sources available but may vary based on historical interpretations.