Earth in Your Home
Photo by Clayworks
It's always exciting to co-creating beautiful, warm, and inviting spaces. What makes this even more exciting is using healthy and versatile products; this is a challenge I like to take on any day of the week!
Over the last month, I have been further exploring natural interior finishes and their applications to add a unique flavour to each space and respond to the demand for eco-friendly products.
In this exploration, I had the privilege to speak with Elke Cole, a cob building expert with over 20 years of designing, teaching and building cob houses and structures. The Scope of Elke’s work encompasses everything from teaching internationally to public installations and private commissions. We explored how to use earthen materials in the interior of conventionally built homes and promote the added health and beauty benefits of this phenomenal material.
Although earthen materials are known to be used to build with, like cob housing and rammed earth, they can also be used in the interior conventionally built structures to add a natural feel and look, bring depth, regulate humidity, infuse the air with negative ion charge (which enhances the mood and increase our ability to fight diseases). This product is known in the industry as clay plaster and can be found easily with variations of colours and textures.
Here are a few things to know about using this earthen material
Some of its applications are on walls, ceilings and floors. It can also be used as a fireplace mantle and sculpturing benches and unique features.
Applying clay plaster requires some skill, but it’s not too difficult. You can try it yourself or hire a trained person. Some of the techniques require more skill than others, like Sgraffito, sculpturing and Tadelakt.
Sgraffito is produced by applying layers of clay plaster tinted in different colours and then scratching to reveal parts of the underlying layer.
Tadelakt is a Moroccan technique for waterproofing clay plaster in shower and tub areas. It’s labour-intensive and requires patience!
Scupluring is another technique you might find interesting and can be done in a settle or elaborate way.
When it comes to colour, you can find a wide variety available that complement any design style. Don’t think that this product doesn’t work with the contemporary style; using the right colours and textures, the clay plaster can complement a contemporary style and bring much-needed depth and warmth.
Last but not least, the greatest benefits of using this 100% natural and sustainable product are its low environmental impact and durability.
Clayworks and American Caly are two readily available high-performance brands with a wide range of colours and textures.
With Joy and Delight!
nora bouz, Place Maker, Designer
Photo by Clayworks