They say necessity is the mother of invention. That was certainly true when Grace Forster and her husband took on renovating their Sydney fixer-upper. After falling in love with the texture and depth of limewash paint during the process, the Australian couple were surprised to find that limewash paint was quite difficult to source in the country.
From Personal Problem to Business Idea
Existing products were expensive, bulky to store, and often seemed aimed at specialists rather than homeowners like herself. That sparked a period of experimentation. Grace and her husband tried creating their own formula—a soft “greige” that has since become Byron, now one of their most popular shades—and were pleasantly surprised with the results. They worked closely with a chemist to refine the formulation, which eventually became their brand Dalray Paints. Since June 2024, the paint has been used in over 5,000 homes.
Speaking to 7YOU, Grace explained how she came up with her unique business idea. “It honestly started as a personal problem,” she said. “We were renovating our first Sydney home and, like a lot of new homeowners, we were trying to be conscious of our budget. I loved the limewash look, but a lot of the options I came across felt expensive, hard to get, and geared towards professionals. I felt there was a real gap in the market for something beautiful, high quality and affordable that everyday homeowners could confidently use themselves. I remember thinking I couldn’t be the only person looking for this. That idea eventually became Dalray.”
Grace added: “What started as a renovation project quickly turned into months of research, testing and product development. It grew far beyond what I originally imagined.”
Innovative Powder Format
Unlike conventional liquid paints, Dalray’s limewash is supplied as a powder and mixed with water at the point of use. Packaged in a soft bag rather than a tin, the formula eliminates the need to transport ingredients that account for more than half the volume of liquid paint. The result is a product that is easier to store, transport, and afford, while also removing the need for chemical preservatives. The look of the paint delivers the depth, texture, and breathability of traditional limewash in a more convenient, cost-effective, and sustainable format.
The bestselling ‘greige’ colour, Byron, is now one of the brand’s most popular shades. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, Dalray’s innovative range of paints is available in a curated palette of 21 colours. The limewash collection comes in two sizes: a Dalray Limewash Paint Tester (RRP $18, 350mL) for those wanting to try colours before committing, and Dalray Limewash Paint (RRP $95, 4L) for residential purposes.
Five-Star Reviews
Reviewers have been more than complimentary about Dalray Paints, giving it five-star write-ups online. “Easy to use and looks fantastic. It’s great value for money,” writes one happy shopper. “We used Chai limewash on our new exterior render and love the colour. It was really easy to use,” another adds. A third says: “We started a big project of lime washing our house bricks and I am very pleased with the result and how easy it has been. We also have to give applause to your brush — much better than anything you can find in Bunnings, and cheaper!”
For more information and to browse the Dalray website for yourself, head here now.
