So, you might be wondering how you can paint your walls and still be able to sleep in your house that same night without getting a massive headache.  This is a common problem with paints that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Up until a few years ago, paints that do NOT contain VOCs were not as readily accessible as they are now .  These no or low VOC paints are great, not only for their smell but for health reasons as well.  While the jury may still be out with regard to the true health costs, there is enough evidence to prove that people with sensitivities are affected by these compounds.

The newer paints that contain little or none of these agents are just as easy to apply and come in the same wide range of color choices as traditional paints. They are available at your local home improvement warehouse stores and cost may be the only reason not to get them.  Truthfully, if the price was exactly the same, there would be no reason to choose a paint containing the organic compounds.  The safe paint choices are just a no-brainer.

Now, if you are looking to create a nice effect on your walls and are wondering if paint is the only choice, think again.  There has been a big surge in do it yourself wall treatments over the last decade or more.  One such movement has had to do with using clay plaster.  Venetian plastering techniques are the most popular among this genre of wall treatments.  But, clay plaster walls make just as nice and just as eco-friendly an application.  Because clay is a natural earthen product, you also don’t need to worry about any off-gassing or harmful effects.  It is almost as soothing to apply as it is to have in your home.

There are other benefits of clay plasters as well, including temperature regulation and sound dampening features in your space.  Clay has some natural breathing properties that allows it to resist mold and bacterial growth and resists moisture buildup.  Because it is an Earthen product, it tends to absorb some sound and lends a more serene feeling to a space.