We love clay plaster. It is one of the world's oldest and most venerable building materials, traditionally applied in thick layers over reed or wood lath in a method called wattle and daub.
But then drywall came along, and now few people think beyond paint or wallpaper for their interior walls. Sure, you can install a thin layer of veneer plaster over drywall, but that's a job best left for a professional; plaster dries quickly and is difficult to work with.
Not American Clay, which is a clay plaster intended for use over new or existing drywall. We've used it before and it's really a pleasure to work with. We think two things make it ideal for DIY application:
• Clay plaster is, by nature, an imperfect material; that's how it's supposed to look. There are few surfaces in today's home where you can see the touch of the human hand: here's to introducing some more.
• It's repairable when left unsealed. This makes it perfect for kids' rooms and other places where other types of plaster might get chipped. (Even children who live in rooms as perfect as this one are bound to nick the walls once or twice.)
If you'd like to see what's involved in application, there's a great video here. Hint: applying clay plaster is a fantastic upper body workout.
Cost varies quite a bit depending on your location (sacks of clay are heavy and expensive to ship), the color you choose (certain pigments, like blues, are rather rare), and on whether it's a DIY or pro job. Visit your local dealer to get an idea of cost in your area.
Have you seen--or used--American Clay? What do you think?
Images via American Clay; visit their online gallery for lots more pictures.
Oh, awesome! I have the world's worst plaster job on two walls in my second bedroom/office (long story) and I've been trying to figure out how to fix it. I think you just introduced the solution :)
view Opal's profile
love it! i love visiting their gallery for inspiration; they're not afraid of color juxtapositions in the southwest. Also i'm all for seeing the hand of the applicator, as in artistic hand, rather than the cheap, quick botched-up hand of the patch-up guy; which is why most old plaster walls look so lumpy.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/inside-out-olgas-diy-like-youve-never-seen-diy-011333
view olga's profile
ooooo interesting
It's kind of hard to imagine in my city abode, but if I ever move to the country . . .
view guido's profile
Actually this is one of the more interesting products highlighted here, and I think could be used effectively in a city: just reverse the b and the d.
view JonathanB's profile
I've used it. It's extremely satisfying to work with and the results are beautiful. (It smells good too, very fresh and clean.) The walls look most textured in low light, and they glitter in sunlight.
It is a lot of work, so you have to be prepared for that. You first paint on one layer of sanded primer and then trowel on two applications of clay, letting the walls dry in between. I found it difficult to roll on the sanded primer didn't work so I ended up sponging it on. But even an unhandy person can work with American Clay. If you mess up along the way, everything is fixable. Using a Japanese trowel makes a difference - you can buy one wherever you buy the American Clay supplies. It is pricey but very lightweight and flexible in its design, with useful edges and corners.
I mixed a custom pigment, with the help of a color specialist at American Clay who patiently answered all my questions on the phone.
view vickio's profile
I've used it too - here in NY. Agreed - it is *a lot* of work - and kind of pricey. It cost us about $750 for the sanded primer and enough plaster for 2 layers of the american clay.
I love it, for the look and environmental qualities (it has an ionic charge that repels dirt), but I repeat, it is a lot of work and a big committment if you do it yourself. My husband and I worked for 2 whole days morning through late night and every night after work for 5 days after that to do a 12 X15 room. But this could be because we are amateurs.
Beware although you need to roll on the primer and trowel on 2 layers of the clay, if you want a smooth finish, you need to burnish too which is like troweling again, but with more work.
It's great - but just know what you're getting into!
view pods's profile