Lime plaster with soul
Tadelakt is a Moroccan plastering technique that turns ordinary lime into a waterproof, silky-smooth surface – no synthetic sealants involved. It was originally perfected in the palaces and hammams of Marrakech, and today you'll find it in bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces all over the world.
Here's the magic: the lime is polished with smooth stones and then sealed with black olive soap. Two dead-simple natural ingredients that, together, create a surface that shrugs off water – and only gets better looking with age.
Three ingredients, one result
Marrakech Lime
Traditionally, a particularly fine, buttery lime from the Marrakech region is used. Its creamy consistency is what makes that characteristically smooth finish possible.
Black Olive Soap (Savon Noir)
This is the real secret. The olive soap soaks into the pores of the lime and forms the water-repellent layer that gives tadelakt its distinctive silky glow.
Polishing Stones
Smooth river pebbles or agate stones – you rub them over the surface in circular motions to compress and burnish the lime. It takes patience, but the result speaks for itself.
What makes tadelakt special
Function and beauty in a combination that no factory product can match.
Naturally waterproof
Lime plus olive soap – that's all it takes. No silicone, no chemicals, still watertight.
Antimicrobial
Lime is alkaline, which makes it naturally hostile to mould. Ideal for wet rooms.
A living surface
No two walls look the same. Subtle shifts in sheen and texture give every surface its own character.
Rich colour range
Natural pigments open up everything from warm earth tones to bold colours – always with that velvety glow.
Easy to repair
Scratches or minor marks? Just re-polish. The olive soap seal can be refreshed any time.
Endlessly versatile
Bathrooms, showers, sinks, kitchen worktops, outdoor spaces – anywhere water meets design.
A craft that can't be rushed
Tadelakt isn't something you slap on a wall – it's a process. You start with several thin coats of lime plaster. Then the real work begins: polishing. While the lime is still slightly damp, you work the surface in circular motions until the sheen emerges. Finally, the black olive soap is burnished in as a natural sealant. Yes, it takes time. But that's exactly what makes it so good.
Learn tadelakt yourself – course on the way
A hands-on tadelakt course is in the works – as part of the Earth to Wall School. Sign up for the newsletter to hear about it first and grab your early-bird discount.
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