Once again, we’ve let a few weeks slip by without an update. Inside and out, plaster is going on the walls, and the house is getting its first scratch coat of stucco. This is work best done by a large crew, so we’re happy to bring in a subcontractor for this part. Interior details are also coming together. We like to have everything ready for plaster all at the same time, so that once it begins we can get into a proper rhythm. Unfortunately, this means that the prep work involves some jumping around. Our plaster interfaces with lots of different elements as it goes around the house, and every one of those junctions needs attention. One must be as willing to wear their lather’s hat at readily as their carpenter’s or painter’s. Sheetrock has been hung and taped, and textured with a sanded primer to receive earth plaster. All of the doors have been hung, adjusted to that perfect 3/32″, and cased. Since we’re using earth plaster on our frame walls too, it made sense to get the casing on so that we can plaster up to it instead of trying to anticipate its exact thickness. Then the doors promptly made an exit, sensing the humid mud storm on the horizon. Throughout the house, the layered wood bond beam has been papered, lathed, and received a scratch coat of gypsum or mud, as needed. All the wire channels, plumbing holes, etc., have been stuffed with chunks of adobes and mud. After a bit of delay, all the window sills are in, and their accompanying bullnoses wired and scratch-coated with gypsum. All things that must be done. Some of it neither interesting nor glamorous, but important nonetheless. The attention paid when stapling wire to adobe may not seem to be of much consequence, but making sure that wire has just the right curve before you do so IS important. During plaster you worry principally about texture, and during the prep you worry about shape, and structure; but what is shape but large-scale texture? What would a beautiful, even texture look like over a hideous shape? The goal during the lath process is to not find out. Similarly, how would all that beautiful plaster look if it was lying on the floor? Another mystery that is best left unsolved.

Feb 22, 2022