This earthen plastered fireplace is a recent project. A massive adobe fireplace in an adobe home built in the 1970s is by far the largest fireplace we have ever worked on. We chose this image due to the great lighting hitting the curves of the fireplace. The two air vents (circular holes seen) existed from the original design. We earthen plastered the entire area with found clay in the area. We plastered the surround to the fireplace, and the main living room – all of which needed much repair due to the gouges the electricians (not our great subs) made in the old walls. It was a much more complicated process than needed to be had we been involved earlier on. The electrician the client brought onto the project had no idea how to fill in the channels he put in the adobe walls. It took us many coats to not only repair but to prep the channels for our proper plastering.
Word to the wise to those who want to “self manage” a series of sub contractors. Listen to the advice of those whose work will be affected by others as your project progresses. It will save you much time and money to pay attention and hire accordingly. We are not fond of the idea of sub contractors who “leave it for the next guy to fix”. We do not believe in such a thing and always help our fellow project partners by making their lives easier, not harder.