On another day on which rivulets slalomed among raindrops on window panes, Martin Paulley, master plasterer, completed his post- Kitchen Makers refurbishment work on our walls.
Having laid the foundation undercoat two days ago, Martin spent his time smoothing and cleaning the surfaces.
After mixing his plaster,
always keeping his tools clean,
he made two applications of the final coat by means of his
variously shaped trowels and hawk,
cleaning up the edges with water-loaded paintbrushes.
The hawk is a flat board with a short handle that can be held in one hand to carry the mixed material to the wall. The other hand is then used to apply this to the required surface, with the appropriate flat trowel.
Martin kept everything clean and tidy, although it appears that his photographer may have trodden in some plaster on a dust sheet and spread it about a bit.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s savoury rice topped with omelette, and tempura prawns with Sweet Chilli sauce. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden while I drank more of the Comté Tolosan Rouge.
How does Martin feel about all this publicity? After dealing with various contractors around Florida – he could make a fortune here!!!!
I did warn him that he may get global offers. He said his fare would have to be paid. 🙂 Thanks a lot, GP
haha, that just might be worth it!!
Nice and tidy, your home looks wonderful!
Thank you very much, John
He certainly does seem to be a master. And another good day to stay home.
A winner all round, Merril. Thanks very much
Glad you explained the hawking. I was thinking hawks and falcons.🦅🦅🦅
I’m pleased it got you thinking, Pat. Thanks very much
… I’m glad you explained the hawking too – I was thinking that perhaps a trader had called to sell his or her wares – I should have known that it would be a Master Craftsman though! Really interesting to see Martin at work 🙂
Thanks very much, Emma. I’m pleased you got the title wordplay
More impressive local artisans
Indeed. Thanks very much, Sheree
I hope that nobody noticed that it was the photographer who had spread the mess around.
Oh, He did 🙂 Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Is that what the finger pointing picture was? Martin telling you to be more tidy? lol
I think he was explaining something 🙂
Martin is a great worker and does a beautiful job! YAY Martin! 🙂
Trowelling and Hawking…In the look-out-the-window-panes photo I saw Raindropping and Owling! HA! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
🙂 🙂 Thanks very much, Carolyn X
All the contractors you hired, do a marvelous job.
All from trusted recommendations, Bridget. Thanks very much
Was the plaster tinted? I’ve only seen plaster go on the wall white.
It was darker because wet, but still will be somewhat tinted. All will be painted. Thanks very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick. I’m sure the end result will be lovely.
I enjoy see a master craftsman ply his trade with such fluid and exact movements. And the tools are simple and practical. My father was a painter/paperer who used the same tools. Now, I have them but mainly for sentimental reasons. Nice post, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Steve
We seriously need someone with his skill around here! Good job and very neat as well.
Thank you very much, AnneMarie
I like that earthy color. Nice view through the doors, too!
Thanks very much, JoAnna
We need more workers like Martin over here!
We are lucky here. Thanks very much, Jill
Looking forward to seeing the finished job.
Thanks a lot, Cindy
Looks like progress.
Thanks a lot, Mrs W
Your very welcome.
I love work, and could sit and watch someone doing it all day. 🙂
It can be fun engaging your subject with chat. Thanks very much, Quercus
🙂
Quite a process!
Yes. He is very thorough. Thanks a lot. Laurie
The inclement weather has propelled the photographer to procure intense portraits of the interior artist at work.
Thanks very much, Uma
A good job for a rainy day. Martin did an excellent job, as did the photographer. I remember when plaster was popular here. Some rooms were smoothly plastered. Others used a textured design. Now sheet rock and paint is the most common.
We had a phase for the textured work which I don’t like at all. We inherited it on our ceilings – known as Artex it is very difficult to remove. We prefer plain painted walls on which to hang pictures. Thanks very much, Nikki
Now I know what that kind of hawk is – while I have seen them, I didn’t know that a plastering hawk existed. If that sounds strange, I see it as an illustration of how important vocabulary is in our understanding of the world. The more names we know for things the better we ‘see’ them 🙂
So true, Anne. I didn’t know that implement was a hawk until Martin told me. I looked it up but couldn’t determine that particular etymology. Thanks very much
I wonder if that particular hawk might be something to do with the “I know a hawk from a handsaw” quotation?.
That is a fascinating thought, John. I might research it. Thanks very much
I do love to see a master at work.
Thanks very much, Sue
Always a joy to watch a master plasterer. My son assures me that it is really quite easy and that he taught himself using a youtube video. He made a pretty good job of it too I have to say.
Watching Martin I observed that a steady hand was an essential requirement. Thanks a lot, Andrew
What a lovely view to the outside! Seems your remodeling is shaping up nicely.
Thanks very much, Eugi. It has been a long-term project
Yes, but I’m sure it will be worth it when completed.
Yes
He does nice work!
Indeed. Thanks very much, Lavinia
Martin must have enjoyed being your subject 🙂
He actually did. Sometimes he held a pose to make sure I’d got it 🙂 Thanks very much, Lakshmi
Again, I envy you your excellent workers, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
What a fantastic job. It’s a thing of beauty.
Thanks very much, Gary
Your description of Jackie’s tempura prawns with Sweet Chilli sauce makes my mouth water! I can see that you are making great progress in your kitchen remodel. Our floor man is doing a great job with the renovation in our house in our absence. He sent pictures yesterday, So nice! I’m so glad you’ve found such a skilled workman. He looks like a fun guy to be around.
Thanks very much, Jan. I trust the floor will be done by the time you get home.
Probably not until we get back from Mayo Clinic end of January. Meantime, we’ll go back to MT as soon as we are well enough and roads/weather are favorable… hopefully by this week’s end. And we’ll live in our neighbor’s house for a week until we go to Rochester, Minn, for Bob’s continued issues – finding resolution and remedy for the heart problems.
XX
Remodeling involves so many layers, eh? I’m glad yours is moving along apace. Derrick.
Thank you very much, Alys
Oh, I hope the plaster that got trodden about a but didn’t dry too quickly. So easily done!
Martin cheerfully cleared it up. Thanks a lot, Helen
😊
Work, work and work! But everything looks nice! 😉
Thanks very much, Ribana