About the unique Terre et Lumière brand
Terre et Lumière – Earth and Light lime paints are created with deep respect for the environment, ensuring zero pollution throughout both raw material production and the manufacture of the finished product. Equal care is given to protecting the health of users, with particular attention to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with chemical sensitivities or allergies.
These paints are naturally breathable and healthy. They help manage dampness issues and are highly effective in preventing and eliminating mould. Thanks to their natural ingredients, they do not release harmful volatile substances, making them ideal for both traditional and modern interiors.
In the restoration and conservation of Italy’s historic centres, the use of lime-based mineral paints is legally required. Conservation regulations insist on materials that respect traditional architecture and preserve its authentic colours. Over 100,000 ordinary homes, major construction projects and countless heritage buildings — including historic monuments, castles, palaces, and churches — still look flawless after many years, standing as proof of the exceptional quality of these paints.
Our range of lime - based mineral paints includes:
A breathable base coat/primer (white) suitable for any breathable paint system.
Terre et Lumière
Base Coat/Primer
A sandy-textured lime paint available in 255 colours, including white.
Terre et Lumière
Fiorentino
A smooth lime paint available in 255 colours, including white.
Terre et Lumière
Tinta Chiara
Important note about ordering these products
Terre et Lumière – Earth and Light breathable base coat and white Fiorentino or Tinta Chiara paints are available directly from our webshop.
If you’d like to order any other colours, just give us a shout — we’ll be happy to help.
Choosing the Best Paint
for your old or listed building
What You Need to Know
One of the most common questions we hear after a renovation project is:
“What type of paint should I use on an old or listed building?”
It’s a good question — and one that can make a real difference to the long-term health of your walls.
Two Main Types of Paint
Broadly speaking, there are two categories of paint:
Emulsion paints – modern, non-breathable coatings made from synthetic materials.
Mineral paints – traditional, breathable finishes made from natural ingredients.
Emulsion Paints
Emulsion paints are the ones most people are familiar with — the sort you’ll find on the shelves at home improvement stores like B&Q. They’re made from synthetic resins, solvents (such as turpentine), artificial pigments (like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide), and various chemical additives.
Because of their composition, emulsion paints form a non-breathable film over the wall surface. This sealed layer prevents moisture from moving in or out.
In modern buildings, this isn’t usually a problem. New structures are designed to be waterproof, and their materials tend to have very low moisture content from the start.
Older buildings, however, behave quite differently. Traditional materials such as lime mortar and stone are naturally porous — they absorb and release moisture through evaporation. Blocking this process with a non-breathable paint traps damp within the wall, which over time can cause blistering, flaking, salt build-up, and even structural decay.
For that reason, emulsion paints should be avoided wherever the breathability of the building fabric matters — especially in period homes and listed buildings. In such cases, mineral paints are the appropriate choice.
It’s worth noting that some emulsion-based paints are marketed as “anti-mould” or “fire-retardant.” These typically rely on added chemicals such as fungicides, which can lose their effectiveness over time as they evaporate. In other words, they’re a short-term fix, not a lasting solution.
Mineral Paints
Mineral paints are the traditional alternative to chemical emulsions. They’re made from entirely natural ingredients such as quartz sand (silicates), natural pigments, and other minerals.
Unlike emulsions, mineral paints bond chemically with the wall surface — they don’t simply form a film on top. This makes them exceptionally durable and much longer-lasting.
Most importantly, they’re fully breathable. They allow water vapour to pass through at a molecular level, letting damp walls dry out naturally instead of trapping moisture inside.
Because they’re non-toxic, vapour-permeable, and stable over time, mineral paints are ideal for use in both heritage restoration and eco-friendly new builds. They provide a healthy, natural finish that respects the building’s original materials while offering excellent longevity.
If you’re planning to repaint an old property, take a look at our range of breathable lime - based mineral paints, designed specifically for traditional and listed buildings
A breathable base coat/primer (white) suitable for any breathable paint system.
Terre et Lumière
Base Coat/Primer
A sandy-textured lime paint available in 255 colours, including white.
Terre et Lumière
Fiorentino
A smooth lime paint available in 255 colours, including white.
Terre et Lumière
Tinta Chiara
Renovating an old or listed building?
You might also want to explore our range of traditional coloured lime plaster finishes — ideal for heritage projects and natural, breathable construction.
Sanacolor 2000 MGN
A water-repellent coloured lime render made with traditional Roman ingredients. Available in 24+ colours.
No finishing coat or paint needed. Highly resistant to frost, wind abrasion and sea spray, making it suitable for even demanding environments.
Marmorino MGN
A luxurious lime–marble decorative finish with a stunning texture, available in 24+ colours for both exterior and interior use.
Breathable, long-lasting, elegant and naturally shiny. Excellent resistance to UV and strong sunlight.
Intonachino Arenino MGN
A classic smooth coloured lime finish, available in 24+ shades. Suitable for both interior and exterior work.
The colours are stable and weatherproof, ageing just like historic lime plasters and developing even more character over time.