Terrae-Calce Case Study
Creating an elegant, contemporary, and luminous interior with Terrae-Calce
Project Overview:
The client wanted to achieve a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic, emphasising simplicity, refinement, and maximising natural light diffusion. The interior designer was tasked with selecting a wall finish to enhance the space’s visual softness while maintaining durability and sustainability. Terrae-Calce, a 100% natural lime-based wall finish, was chosen for its ability to provide a luminous, textural surface that harmonises beautifully with modern design principles.
Challenges:
The client desired an interior that felt contemporary and inviting, avoiding the starkness often associated with minimalist designs. Additionally, sustainability was a key consideration, requiring a material with low environmental impact, natural breathability, and a soft, organic appearance. The finish needed to be applied seamlessly across large wall surfaces while ensuring a refined, uniform texture.
Solution:
Terrae-Calce was selected for its unique composition of lime and natural aggregates, which create a smooth yet subtly variegated surface.
The application process:
- Surface Preparation: Walls were primed with a base coat of natural lime-based marble aggregates to ensure optimal adhesion and long-term durability.
- Hand-Trowelled Application: The Terrae-Calce finish was applied in fine layers, creating a depth of texture while maintaining a seamless appearance. The use of natural pigments produces luminous colour even in the palest of tones.
- Soft Burnishing: To enhance its luminous quality, the surface was gently burnished, creating a refined, matte sheen that interacts beautifully with natural and artificial light.
- Final Protective Treatment: A breathable, natural sealant was applied to protect the surface while preserving the gorgeous aesthetics of the material.
Terrae-Calce Natural pigments and aggregates
Results:
The finished interior exuded a quiet sophistication, balancing contemporary minimalism with a soft, organic touch. The Terrae-Calce walls delivered:
- A refined, luminous aesthetic: The natural mineral composition subtly reflected light, creating an inviting glow throughout the space.
- Seamless, soft texture: The hand-applied finish ensured a consistent yet dynamic surface, free from harsh lines or artificial uniformity.
- Sustainability and breathability: As a 100% natural product, Terrae-Calce contributed to improved indoor air quality, absorbing and releasing moisture to maintain a comfortable environment.
- Durability with timeless appeal: The finish proved highly resilient, and will maintain its beauty over time with minimal maintenance.
Client Feedback:
The homeowner expressed deep satisfaction with the results, noting that the walls felt “alive” due to their subtle variations in tone and texture. The designer praised the finish for its ability to blend effortlessly with both contemporary furniture and natural materials, achieving the desired balance between refinement and warmth.
Terrae-Calce has 8 natural pigment-based colours. Different shades can be obtained depending on the amount of pigment added to lime (10, 20, 40 80g). Terrae-Calce colours are part of Ideal Work’s Art of Harmony colour scheme.
Conclusion:
Terrae-Calce demonstrated its exceptional versatility as a contemporary wall finish, offering a perfect fusion of simplicity, softness, and luminosity. This case study highlights how natural materials can be seamlessly integrated into modern interiors, enhancing both aesthetics and environmental responsibility. Great materials are only successful when applied with skill and artisty and the credit for realising a perfect marriage between the potential of the product and the vision of the designer and the client is down to the expertise and skill of the team at Texture Painting in Belgium.
