A lot of the buzz around healthy materials comes from luxury, new-build projects that have room in the budget to think outside the box. But what were the lowest-hanging fruits for regular Joes to improve their home health? What easy wins are we leaving on the table?
I asked this question to Jonsara Ruth of the esteemed Healthy Materials Lab earlier this year, and she had a great answer: interior finishes. It’s the part of the building we’re exposed to the most. Flooring, paints, and furniture can all contain harmful solvents, preservatives, etc. And unless you have a second house next door, you often have no choice but to live with the fumes and off-gassing when a refresh is needed. Studies show that repainting your home literally takes days off your life, not to mention it’s literally covering the earth with micro-plastics, and poisoning our neighbors.
So when it’s time for that fresh coat, open your mind to greener alternatives. A win-win might be just outside the box.
Pictured above a bedroom we painted with our signature clay paint this spring. The walls were previously painted with conventional paint, and needed a refresh. We applied three coats in “Cotton”, plus a clear sealing and texturing wash. The feel of the room is totally transformed: it feels elegant and alive in a way that acrylic paint simply can’t offer. And it smelled like nothing but water (with a hint of wheat) while being painted.
Our paint is nothing like regular paint: instead of being made with a long list of environmental pollutants and human health hazards, it’s made with ingredients found in nature (and in your kitchen!)
Clay, chalk, water, wheatpaste, and nontoxic oxide pigments are blended together to make just about the friendliest paint that can be. To better represent the mixture of plant and mineral ingredients, we’re rebranding it from “clay paint” to “Biolithic Paint”, a name that seems obvious now in hindsight!
So what is it like to use Biolithic Paint? We have two options for clients near and far.
Local Full-Service Painting
1. Consultation
We’ll meet at your space to get an realistic sense of how colors will look on the wall. We bring the samples and if desired, mix custom colors on the spot to make sure we find your perfect shade!
2. Paint production
We blend your paint fresh the day of application and triple check it against your customized shade.
3. Application
Our team arrives with fresh mixed paint and tackles your painting job with precision and positivity! A relatively quick dry time means 1-2 coats can go on per day.
Our local radius includes most of Greater Boston. Travel fees may apply based on project location and size, and non-local projects are considered on a case basis.
Since Biolithic Paint requires a specific application technique and must be used within 1-2 days of mixing, we currently do not sell the paint by itself. Paint production and application comes together in one full-service package, to ensure that it’s done right.
Reach out via the form below to start booking your color consultation today.
Mail-Service Color Matching
For ambitious DIYers outside of my service range, I offer color matching services by mail. Do you want to clay paint your room in a certain color, but don’t know where to start? The full force of my paint lab is at your service. Just send me some paint chips or samples to match, fill out a form, and I’ll formulate a precise recipe to fit your needs. That recipe, sample cards painted with it, plus detail instructions on where to order ingredients, how to mix paint, and how to apply it, will all be sent back to you. And if you have any questions along the way, just reach out via email or phone.
Inquire below to get started!
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