The Art of Natural Finishes: Lime Plaster and Oxide Flooring
Bring your walls to life with traditional techniques. From cooling oxide floors to breathable lime plasters, we create spaces that connect you to the earth.
The simplicity of a mud wall provides the perfect canvas for a splash of color. In this corner of the Doddaballapura mud house, an arched bookshelf niche is highlighted with a brilliant blue oxide finish, creating a striking contrast with the earthy brown walls.
The texture of a wall tells a story. This is a close-up of our Lohi plaster, a natural lime finish that creates a smooth, subtly marbled surface. The earthy tones and soft sheen bring a sense of calm and connection to any room.
Applying an oxide finish is a skill that requires a steady hand and an eye for detail. Here, an artisan carefully trowels a vibrant yellow oxide skirting, seamlessly connecting the floor to the wall in a smooth, durable, and beautiful curve.
About The Art of Natural Finishes
Natural finishes like Lohi and Araish require patience. Unlike standard chemical paints, these lime applications need time to cure and settle into the wall. If you are planning these for your home, consider that the beauty lies in the subtle variation of texture and the way the surface develops a soft, living patina over time, rather than a sterile, perfect finish.
Our journey with natural finishes begins with the understanding that every wall has a story to tell. We work with lime, mud, and clay point finishes because they are alive. Unlike synthetic paints that seal a wall, our lime plasters, like the traditional Araish or Lohi techniques, allow the structure to breathe. This regulates humidity and temperature, making your living space cooler during our intense summers.
The flooring is equally important. Red oxide or yellow oxide flooring is not just a nostalgic choice. It is a durable, cool, and seamless surface that connects the indoors to the outdoors. When we apply an oxide floor, we are not just tiling a room; we are creating a continuous canvas. We use master artisan techniques to ensure the pigment is evenly troweled and finished to a smooth shine.
If you are curious about how these materials age, it is worth noting that they develop a natural patina. A lime-plastered wall might show subtle variations in texture as it settles, which adds to the charm of a space. We teach these skills in our workshops, helping you understand how to mix your own mortars using fermented additives like jaggery and fenugreek to improve durability. Whether you want a vibrant blue niche or a soft, earthy Lohi wall, we are here to guide you through the process of selecting and applying materials that stand the test of time and embody saralatheya sobagu, or the beauty of simplicity.
Praangana
We are Praangana, a collective of architects who believe homes should evolve from nature. We spend our days getting our hands messy, rediscovering traditional lime techniques, and figuring out how to make mud walls that actually breathe.
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