Some summer afternoons the sun beats down so relentlessly that white is the only acceptable color–to wear, to eat (hint: gelato), and to cool off the walls.
The Greeks get that right, with whitewashed walls that reflect light and keep interior temperatures comfortable even under a hot Mediterranean sun. For a simple for making your own whitewash, see Greenchicafe.
Photography via Anemi Hotel.
Above: Whitewash can be used on plaster, concrete, masonry, and stone walls; here it keeps the look cool at the Anemi Hotel on the island of Folegandros.
Above: Whitewash is a mix of hydrated lime and water. A gallon of white wash will cover 250 square feet of concrete or 270 square feet of plaster.
Above: A typical accent color for whitewashed walls is Aegean blue—wonder where that idea came from?
Above: On the island of Folegandros, whitewashed facades contrast with deep blue paint on trim, windows, and stairways.
Above: For accent trim, consider Annie Sloan Greek Blue Chalk Paint; it’s £18.95 for a one-liter can or £5.95 for a sample pot from Annie Sloan.
N.B.: This is an update of a post originally published July 16, 2012 during our A La Plage issue.
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