Back to all articles

How to Choose the Right Mineral Paint Finish for Your Project

When it comes to luxury interior finishes, mineral paint offers a rich palette of textures, durability, and natural aesthetics that standard wall paints simply can’t match. But with several premium options in the Pure & Original lineup, how do you choose the right one for your specific project?

Whether you’re designing a minimalist loft, a spa-inspired bathroom, or a high-traffic commercial space, here’s a breakdown of our most popular mineral paint finishes—so you can select with confidence.

Marrakech Walls: For Plaster-Like Elegance

Best for: Feature walls, residential interiors, boutique commercial spaces.

Marrakech Walls offers a luxurious, lime-based plaster look with rich texture and colour depth. Applied with a roller or brush and finished with a trowel, it creates a troweled, nuanced finish reminiscent of Moroccan tadelakt or Venetian plaster.

Texture: Soft, smooth feel with colour nuances (except for whites)
Finish: Matte to slightly glossy, depending on application and sealer
Application: 1 coat of primer + 1 coat of Marrakech Walls
Topcoat: Optional but recommended — Dead Flat Sealer for high-traffic/commercial spaces/humid areas
Color Range: ~200 colours
Limitations: Not recommended for showers, horizontal substrates like floors and counter tops or outdoors.

Ideal if: You want an artisanal, sophisticated plaster effect in low-to-moderate traffic interiors.

Massif: For Modern Micro-Cement Looks

Best for: Showers, small floors, countertops – areas that have to endure a lot.

Massif is a next-generation mineral paint formulated with micro-stone, offering a durable, concrete-inspired texture. Comparable to micro-cement, but without the cement, the ultra-matte finish brings raw elegance to contemporary spaces.

Texture: Cement-like with subtle tonal shifts (especially in darker shades)
Finish: Ultra-matte with a rugged or sanded finish
Application: 1 coat of primer + 2 coats of Massif
Topcoat: 1K or 2K Varnish for optimal cleanability and stain protection
Color Range: 32 curated shades
Highlights: Ideal for floors, showers, countertops

Ideal if: You’re working on modern, minimalist interiors where durability and a refined industrial aesthetic matter.

Fresco Lime Paint: For Organic Brushed Texture

Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and cozy interior spaces.

Fresco is a classic mineral lime paint with a highly breathable formula, delivering a beautiful brushed texture with visible brush strokes and subtle variation.

Texture: Brushed, matte with soft variation (except whites)
Finish: Natural matte, organic aesthetic
Application: 1 coat of primer + 2 coats of Fresco (brushed)
Topcoat: Optional but recommended — Dead Flat Sealer for high-traffic/commercial spaces/humid areas
Color Range: ~200 colours
Limitations: Not recommended for showers, horizontal substrates like floors and counter tops or outdoors.

Ideal if: You want a natural, breathable finish with a handmade look—perfect for cozy and organic spaces.

Optional: Quartz Kalei – For Outdoor Textured Walls

Best for: Exterior facades, textured accent walls

Quartz Kalei is a grit-textured, mineral paint that provides a playful, non-uniform finish without visible colour nuances. It’s breathable and highly suitable for outdoor use.

Texture: Gritty, block-brushed texture
Finish: Matte, no colour variation
Application: 1 coat of primer + 1 coat of Kalei
Topcoat: Not required
Highlights: Excellent adhesion and weather resistance for exteriors

Ideal if: You’re designing exterior walls with texture and want a durable, one-step mineral finish.

Quick Comparison Table

Product	Best Use Case	Texture	Finish	Topcoat Recommended?	Water Resistant
Marrakech Walls	Elegant, plaster-like interiors	Troweled, smooth	Matte to shiny	Optional (Dead Flat Sealer)	No
Massif	Bathrooms, floors, exteriors	Micro-cement, matte	Ultra-matte	Optional (1K/2K Varnish)	Yes
Fresco	Warm, breathable wall finishes	Brushed, matte	Matte	Optional (Dead Flat Sealer)	No
Quartz Kalei	Outdoor walls, gritty texture	Grit-textured	Matte	Not needed	Yes

Final Tips

For high-traffic or wet environments, such as showers, and horizontal substrates like floors and countertops, pair well with Massif.
For artistic statement walls that demand elegance and depth, choose Marrakech Walls .
For a breathable, natural look with visible brushwork, try Fresco.
For textured outdoor walls, Quartz Kalei is your go-to.

Choosing the right mineral paint can transform a space not just in appearance but in atmosphere. Pure & Original offers a luxury paint finish for every kind of project—always eco-conscious, always design-forward.

Looking for help choosing your finish? Explore our colour card to get started on your next project.

Pure & Original — Mineral Paints, Made Beautifully in Belgium.