spring is in the air

Salt Cedar lattillas. Salt Cedar is an invasive species in the bosque areas of NM, but when harvested, the variety of red bark colors can be a nice touch to a gate.

Salt Cedar Lattillas gate done.

American Clay-ing Begins

On eight of the (interior sides) of exterior adobe walls I chose to apply American Clay, an all natural interior finishing clay plaster.  Because the walls had 90+ years of lath and plaster and paint finishes with cracks and very uneven surfaces, this wonderful product was the best choice. 

I  started with the east living room wall with a red-rocks color called Bryce Canyon.  Fun times slathering on mud!

Before I started...

Mixing the integral, all natural pigment into the clay.

Working my way up the wall with first coat.

First coat, still wet.  The color lightens up a bit as it dries.

First coat drying...

recycled mosiac glass tiles

Mirror is hung, tiling completed.

Bathroom backsplash done, just needs to be grouted and sealed. 

Installing the bathroom backsplash: mosiac glass tiles with recycled glass content.
















Suprisingly easy installation with the mesh mosiac backing.


















Close up of it - it's actually slightly iridescent, but you can't quite tell in this pic.















Just sitting in the Mart Stam.

now for finishes, colors and site work

Lumber Loaner door is off and I hung my front door and set hardware.


















Close up of beautiful door.




































Kitchen close to done; solid Quartzite floor tiles are sealed.
Backsplash (recycled glass tile) and American Clay are next.




































Wine rack! (top right portion of custom cabinet)




































Ender and Apples in kitchen.

No Longer Substandard / Condemned

I passed the final-final-final inspection today, removing the casa from the Condemned and Substandard List!

Final Final'd, esa!

Happy New Year!
After a failed first attempt, I received my passing Final-Final Inspection from the City on New Years Eve Day, yay! This means substantial completion is reached and it is safe and sturdy. Now I just need to pass the Police Department's inspection to get removed from the Condemned and Substandard Building list, making it officially live-able. :D

Thanks, Rachel, for the following photos from back in September... I'll post them to show some perspective on how far it's come...


















Day two of homeownership. Wow, I sure looked pumped to get going.














Ah yes, I was excited. And I had very clean pants and gloves.
















BEFORE shot. (Courtesy of "street view" on GoogleMaps.)


















BEFORE shot. (Courtesy of "street view" on GoogleMaps.)
































The core and shell skeleton interior.


















Wait a second... what the hell did I get myself into...?!?!

concrete counters sealed and waxed

The Ticor under-mount sink with concrete counter illuminated by sunlight.


















Concrete Counters are sealed, waxed and ready for a dinner party.


















The integral charcoal color looks wicked nice. Now need some real, bold COLORS, with backsplash, American Clay finishes and more.


















Close up of the aggregate.


















View along sink counter.


















Corner shot of aggregate exposed.

installing concrete counters

Sanding and staining window sills. I found that sawhorse on the side of the road!


















Concrete counters are in, almost. Not yet sealed or waxed - they'll be a bit darker when that's done.


















Looking good. Still needs sealant and wax (will be darker).


















Under-mount sink cutout with faucet sitting in place.


















Bar concrete counter piece is resting in place... will be sealed and mounted soon!

bathroom is becoming a room

Hey, don't judge the bucket! At least I've got some running water indoors. 5 gallon sludge bucket serves as drain for now...


















Old, old adobe plaster crack getting repaired and sealed with new shower tile.


















Shower tile is porcelain Metallica line from TAU in dark coppers, iron oxide and graphite glazed. Thrifty design resulted in 18x18 base row and 6x6 above.


















More tiling progress...




















Concrete (Concrete is a green material: contains local and recycled content and no VOCs) bathroom counter was set today! Thanks, Counter Intelligence NM for the great slab and copper sink and wall mount fixture!





















































But it's a few inches too high for my preferances...will adjust once copper sink is sealed in place



















Sunlit shot of the kitchen/dining area barnwood sided bar with stools.


















Apples