New Mexico style "diva"
Arlington, VA
Pat herself participates in placing the pottery pieces Floor is made by standing 12 inch blocks on their side
Pat herself participates in placing the pottery pieces. The colors were selected to match the southwest style floor. Floor is made by standing 12 inch blocks on their side, and mortaring the holes.
We are working on a finished floor. First the floor was covered by taping down plastic
and covering the plastic with masonite.
A hammer drill is used to drill holes in the blocks to anchor the channel iron ribs 3/4 channel iron studs are wedged in the holes
A hammer drill is used to drill holes in the blocks to anchor the channel iron ribs.  3/4" channel iron "studs" are wedged in the holes.  Here, cross pieces are tied on with galvanized steel tie wire.
A view of a leg cut to tie the iron together The bottom is tied together
A view of a "leg" cut to tie the iron together. The bottom is tied together with the rough opening. Here a horizontal rib is bent and
checked for fit.
Strips are nailed against edge of windows Strips are nailed against edge of windows
Framing just about finished. Lath is wire tied to channel iron frame.
Framing and lathing took about 2 hours with 3 people working.
Diva gets two scratch coats Colored pots are broken with a hammer
First scratch coat on metal lath. Diva gets two scratch coats, then a brown coat, allowing 2 days between coats. Colored pots are broken with a hammer.
fireplace insert is set and mortared in Pottery pieces were glued on
Fake fireplace insert is set and mortared in with the finish coat. In case unit needs to be removed for repair, it should be able to be removed by opening the doors and pulling straight out. This is important: Since this is a heater, an air intake hole was left on top.
You would need to stand on a ladder to 
see it. Fireplace looks and feels real, and even has a remote control.		 A close-up of the rough finish.

Pottery pieces were glued on with drywall glue. A heavy finish coat was then put  on,
embedding the edges into the mortar.

Finish diva has all fire-proof materials,
and provides an attractive focal point for this basement remodel.