Sealing and Ceiling

We've been really hard at work the past week and a half working on covering up our drywall. Last weekend we primered the ceiling using American Pride primer and put our sanded primer on the walls in preparation for the clay. The American Pride primer is a very low-VOC paint, and while we could smell a paint-like odor, it wasn't very strong and it didn't have any negative effects on us at all. We tried to ventilate the space, but probably didn't try as hard as we might have. Anyway, I've gotten paint headaches from smaller, more well-ventilated areas in the past, so that was a good sign. It was easy to use and covered well. The sand was not quite so easy to use, but we managed. The sand didn't settle too badly into the bottom of the can, and we managed to cover all our walls, no problem.

This week we worked evenings to get the ceiling painted. For this we used Safecoat paint - a no-VOC paint, flat, white. (We were told a flat paint would go best with the sheen of unsealed clay.) The paint didn't have an odor at all, really - it was a milder substance than the primer, which was mild to begin with. I had heard some bad things about "eco-friendly" paint, but this stuff covered well, stuck well, and was really easy to use. Granted,we were putting white paint on white primer, but it still went much better than expected.

Applying Paint Primer to Ceiling

Applying Sand Primer to Walls

Finally, we popped back in our halogen cans, put the pendants back above the table, and got the final Solatube mostly installed. Except for the Solatube, the ceiling is done, and I think it looks great. That is going to be one bright, cheery room when we're done with it (which is why we decided to get dampers for the Solatubes - WOW, they bring in a lot of light!). We're really excited. My spouse isn't 100% happy with the way the two big seams in the ceiling drywall turned out, but I think that while they're noticable, they're not bad at all. *shrug*

Tonight or tomorrow we start putting on the clay. Hopefully it will turn out well! It was really easy to work with when we took the workshop last November. Labor-intensive, not skill-intensive. Well, I definitely have more labor in me than skill, so it should work out. Then we'll put up the trim (which we've picked out and put into a 3-D model), finish out the bookcase, and work on the siding. We have to have that installed and painted by the time we have our final inspection. So much to do, and our permit expiration date is approaching quickly.

We got all our paint and clay supplies at Ecohaus (which just opened up another store in Bellevue). If you live in Seattle/Portland, you probably know all about it, but if you live here and you don't, get yourself over there for some really great, non-toxic, sustainable house stuff.