I never thought it would be so easy! (Rescuing a 120 year old house) 

Our concrete farmhouse in Turkey was damaged by earthquakes, so we had to demolish it. Inspired by people like Laura, who value the use of natural materials, I researched and convinced my family to build new eco homes made of rammed earth. I hope that more ecological solutions will become available over time and people will prefer them.

Merry Christmas! Annoying pro tip. We generally stucco from top to bottom. First, this ensures that the stucco (or your clay) is adhered to the substrate and not rusting on the material below. Shallow bubbles can form because of this and it will later flake off because it is not attached to the wall. Also, if you are going top to bottom, you can place your hod next to the wall and transfer material quickly, further, this will also prevent the hod from marring material that has already been applied. This points can seem trivial, but it will save you tons of time over the entire job. Oh, also, your scaffolding and ladders won't harm the walls that you have just finished. You are always removing support as you work instead of adding it. That's just one random guys opinion.

To anyone trying to recreate this, be aware you might have a different risk of getting cracks. Here, the wall below is CLAY stone with CLAY mortar. So the entire underground will stretch and compress evenly when taking in/giving off humidity and warmth. The final layer of clay has little bits of straw and cellulose, that also prevent cracking. For walls that are of different materials, have wall-heating integrated, or have a thick layer of plaster to even out, you will definitely need a base layer of plaster first that has reinforcing fabric worked into it.

It just makes so much more sense to me. People fall in love with the beams and purchase - then never see them for 99 percent of their time. Your idea is perfect. Yule Blessings 🙃

Anyone else has this feeling when watching Laura's videos, that it's easier to breathe, and the tension in the shoulders release?

I personally like the color - the cooler clay contrasts nicely with the warmer wood.

Our house is entirely clay plastered internally (on straw bale walls). It's lovely to see so much enthusiasm for clay here in the comments! We made our own clay based paints using local clay pigments, mixed with flour paste, which saved us a lot of money (around £800) on eco paints.

Hey Laura, I'm a total wimp about this stuff, but I have a similar style in my house (with regular stucco instead of clay) and I finished the beams before doing the stucco. When the beams are finished they don't absorb the dirty stucco moisture so they don't attract weird stains and they're so much easier to work with. Even the tape stays better on the finished wood. Also now when you want to finish the beams you have to be super careful to not stain the stucco.

Wohoo, wasn't expecting a video on Christmas Eve! Thanks for the nice surprise present and Merry Christmas to everyone! 🎄🎅❤

I’m OBSESSED with the way the wall looks!

I think that the contrast between the clay and the wood is great. I would keep it that way. My 2 cents worth of recommendation. Great work on the house.

So glad you left some timber exposed. It look SO GOOD!!!

Hello Laura, let the clay soak. Water into the bucket and then sprinkle clay in until there is no more water or wet spots to be seen. Wait 10 minutes and then stir at low speed. This way you always have an ideal result. And use a wide squeegee for the final removal. You have the bars as a stop or rail. Allow the clay to set and then smooth it out with a sponge board and water.

We appreciate your "history" of your inside/ouside wall !

I identify so hard with the preferring the imperfections. I work in music, and I’m CONSTANTLY trying to convince others how beautiful it can be.

I so enjoy your interactions with Felix and what he brings. The team aspects come out, but you can tell there is such good will and fellowship that it is synergistic - bringing out your best around someone you are so comfortable with and confident in. When Felix is around, he does such a good job of showcasing your vision (it seems to me), the ups and downs of the projects and your approach and reactions. Whoever is responsible for editing and music also deserves "kudos". Just so polished and candid seeming at the same time, making it entertaining and educational and just enjoyable to watch. Has enough of your solo vibe (like what you filmed in L.A.) to make me feel it is catching your vision authentically. Well done, team Kampf!

I can not express how much I love those walls! Awesome. You can plaster over, lime wash, glaze or stain them to bring in all the character it so richly deserves.

Made my heart sing Laura, to see you applying that mix!! It seemed to go on the wall like the lime plaster I used many years ago in France. More in the mix (mine was only chalk and sand, plus a couple of eco additives to make it stick better and lengthen the open working time) but the look seems to be identical. Beautiful. If you want to alter the colour, another easier choice might be to paint with chalk/lime distemper with natural oxide colour additives (something like yellow iron oxide is a lovely warm yellow depending on amount you put in) and casein to prevent the paint rubbing off! Totally natural and very inexpensive!

Plus, it adds thermal mass and helps with temperature regulation! It's nice to see the old girl get plastered! Fun times! :p)

Gorgeous, Laura! The added bonus of seeing the timber frame from the inside, is you will see it more often because you will likely be inside more often. You've done a great job!

Welcome to the world of "Mud Slinging". Enjoy the time and have fun.😄

It is never as easy as it looks. Amazing job, I think the colour looks great. It highlights the wood beautifully!

When Laura goes to the shop to pick up a few stuff she's such a goof hahah

I love the clay walls. I live in an old lath and plaster house and need to do some repairs, since I'm selling the house. Going to live in a van!

Clay paint and linseed paints would look amazing in this house

I love the look of these walls! It's gorgeous! This history of the home and the story it tells of all the repairs you had to do to save it shows in these walls. It's breathtaking!

Merry Christmas Laura + Team. Have a great one! Don't forget to eat and drink too much!

A thin layer of color could be therapy. 😊

I love how the home is coming along. Wishing ALL of Laura’s family and friends a very Merry Christmas.

Damn, your hard work is paying off because the walls look absolutely gorgeous 😮

From New Zealand - Hi Laura! That clay on the walls looks great! Really good job with that! I actually think the grey colour looks fine as-is but that's just me.... :) I love Felix ay - he's such a joker! He's a really good part of the team! Hope you're having a great Christmas, and have a great New Year! Frohes Neues Jahr! 🇩🇪

I look forward to your videos...I've followed your channel for many years, these last 2-3 have been incredibly interesting and so enjoyable...I love the relationship you guys have, so inspiring and uplifting...Peace and Love to all...Christopher

Damn the windows are doing so much for making it look like a house again 🤩

Wünsche dir und all deinen Lieben und liebgewonnenen MitarbeiterInnen ein wunderschönes Weihnachtsfest 🎄🎅❄️⛄😊.

Those windows are going to be incredible!!

Oh Laura, your arm must have been aching so much! Thats hard work. Looks lovely though. Well done

The color is beautiful!! So nice combo with the timber. I think you should let it sit for a while - see how it grows

You can always use lime paste to paint it white if you want. It's still breathes and it absorbs CO2 to harden

The walls looks excellent! So much easier than plastering screwholes in drywall, and it's got a good grainy-ness to it that I like. Happy Holidays to you all!!

Thanks Laura, I want a half timber-frame house now

Only one coat and it looks that good? A very Happy Christmas to Laura, Felix and Smudo!

Merry Christmas Laura and Gang! I do love the walls and you made some good choices. I hope you have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON and may 2024 bring you LOVE, LAUGHTER, SUNSHINE, HAPPINESS, LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS & THE BEST OF LUCK IN EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIVES!

I love it too. Same in our house. It is so beautifull and the climate is great. ❤

Great work on the house.

the cottage core vibes these videos provide are pretty geil on a geil basis...

Watching you work on this house the last two years is a great reminder that it's okay if it's complicated and takes time, you gotta find the joy in each step.

The house is really coming together!

Love it, love it, love it. I can almost 'feel' your house's happiness from here in Canada as you continue to treat it with the respect it deserves. All the while entertaining and educating about sustainable building methods. Would we all treated ourselves and each other with the same consideration ;) Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas guys and Happy Holidays and take some time and rest and relax and have a great meal and just spend time with family and friends

I have no idea about how to stucco a wall, all I want to say is that the wood looks beautiful after sanding.

Oh my gosh! That looks amazing, Laura! Beautiful!

Sieht toll aus. Fröhliche Weihnachten, Laura und Felix!

That wall looks amazing! Thank you for sharing this journey, I always enjoy watching this house come together and it gives me motivation to continue my projects to make my new home more my own.

Merry christmas, need to wait till I am back from family meeting to watch the video. Not live for me, but a good way to close the day when I come back.

It already looks amazing!

the outsideinside walls are fantastic!

Good job, поздравляю вас с наступающим Новым Годом удачи счастья терпения и любви.

Really reminds me of old fashioned japanese walls.

Perhaps you could hide a time capsule in the house with Instructions and notes somewhere to be found when and if someone decides to redo the whole thing 120 years from now. I'll be a lot of fun for someone.

When plaster or claying walls. Best to spread top to bottom. Any edges left will not catch dust.

Rule of thumb for mixing always use less water you can always add more if it's to dry than to much turning it into slop

Man I had my doubts. But it looks beautiful! ❤

I love plastering, I find that super meditative (unless it's overhead). Was shown by a pro one time how to do it properly and ever since have done this kind of work myself. It's super easy.

I really didn't expect the clay to make such a big difference! The stairs look so much more welcoming and I think it really warms up the atmospere. Although I would've personally gone for a whackier colour :)

Thank you for the laughter and good cheer. Greetings from Seattle, USA

this wall looks SO GEILLLL i love it

Probably the most famous coffee vending machine in Germany! :D Merry Christmas everybody.

I REALLY love the look of the clay and timber frame. So pleasing. Happy for you and hope you have a happy holiday!!

Frohe Weihnachten euch allen!🎄

Ich bin sehr gespannt auf das fertige Haus. It is going to be great! For sure!

Great film. Gorgeous wall. Mahalo for sharing! : )

Laura, ich kann dir sehr Flüssig- oder Baumwolltapeten empfehlen. Unser Haus ist aus Holzständerbauweise mit Lehmsteinen gebaut und steht in einem Glashaus. Innen haben wir über dem feinen Lehmputz jeweils noch Baumwolltapeten. Die geben dem Raum immer noch viel mehr wärme (von Aussehen) und sind auch viel angenehmer, falls man mal daran mit der Haut vorbeiläuft. Falls du Fragen dazu hast, kannst du dich gern mal melden.

Love that you have some exposed beams! 1😍

I love the exposed frame!

Happy holidays Laura and friends! 🎉❤ keep it GEIL!

You’re amazing Laura thank you for sharing

Can you finish the clay rendered walls in lime? Lime plaster looks organic and lovely, can take lighter colours, is breathable, flexible, non-toxic, natural and bug resistant. It is idea for a home. Also, where did you hang that door you refinished - back when you didn't know you would need to rebuild your entire home?

The clay interior walls are the best thing I've seen in your house build so far. What a fantastic look! Like others, I'd suggest considering applying stain/finish to the beams before doing the clay. I suspect it would prevent the beams from absorbing moisture from the clay, and would prevent staining the clay accidentally while staining the beams.

The small windows you're installing at the top of the walls were popular in older houses. They were called Transom Windows, they pivoted and helped with airflow, but airconditioning made them irrelevant. They had nice brass or cast iron opening mechanisms. 😃

I imagine that's going to give a pretty cool style and mood in the house with the combination of timber and steel

Very much enjoying your outside inside wall, and I think the colour is fab. See you next week !! Happy New Year

We also did our entire renovation with clay. I plastered the entire basement myself. The clay made a *massive* difference to before. On top of the finishing plaster we painted with clay paint ( "Lehmfarbe", which Clayton sells as well, as you almost certainly know). Once you're into clay you could also consider looking into a clay oven (Lehmofen).

Merry Christmas to you! Thanks for bringing us all along your makers journey!

I really like it. You could always do a white wash

I love that you can see the old house inside the new one! ❤❤❤

This is coming together so great!

Happiest of Holidays from Floyd, Virginia...USA!!!

You have done such a great job! Thanks for the mini education on natural plaster, insulation, and bricks. Every future dwelling should be built with those materials!

Merry Christmas - thanks for educating us all and taking us on your journey. Love your house

It's looking really beautiful. ❤

„Yo today will be geil!“ liebs 😄

starting to look really good!

I'm looking forward to when you're convinced the walls are dry and we can see the color of the first layer. Looking good so far, like the choice.

I LOVE the colour of the clay! so pretty :)

I can NEVER GET ENOUGH Laura Kampf and Friends! 🚀✨

Absolutely gorgeous

GOOD JOB LAURA!!

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!

Eine atmungsaktive Alternative falls der Verputz zu dunkel ist, ist ein ganz einfaches Kalken. Gelöschten Kalk mit Wasser auflösen und mit einem breiten Pinsel auf den Verputz streichen. Für eine weiße Wand braucht es mindestens drei bis vier Schichten. Früher wurden anstatt Gerstenstroh und Zellulose Kuhfladen als Bindemittel im Verputz verwendet.

Absolutely stunning!