About

Upgrading spaces

Big transformations can come from the smallest change. We've seen this time and again. Something as simple as ails application to interior walls, or a quick adobe repair can make a huge difference in the feeling of your space.

Natural finishes

Whether you need a major overhaul to your interior walls or a simple plaster fix, we can help. We also specialize in matching pre-existing colors and textures.

Sustainability

We use all natural and renewable materials with low or no VOCs whenever possible and always consider the lifecycle of every product used as well as it's impact on the indoor air quality of your home.

Supporting local

We live in Taos, New Mexico and provide services throughout Taos County. We gather the majority of our materials locally and spend locally. It's a virtuous cycle.

About Alice Ko

Alice Ko sitting on a brick sidewalk surrounded by adobe bricks she just made, holding an adobe brick form

Alice began her natural building studies in Northern California, where she built with strawbale and cob. At the Solar Living Institute, she learned about off-grid living, PV solar, organic farming, and building with earth. Being outside and getting her hands muddy was a refreshing change from her office job, where she worked in the field of Green Building and Affordable Housing. Combining her degree in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University with hands-on building skills, she discovered her love of design/build. Her interests led her to Taos, NM where she began making adobe bricks. Building and learning on her own acre of land, she taught workshops and would conduct adobe brick demonstrations at the Farmer’s Market. She continued to gather building skills, working for several contractors in the Taos area, working on numerous residential projects. These days, Alice specializes in natural finishes and adobe repair, while still participating in building projects that are focused on natural and sustainable building practices.

Before & After: Mud plaster restoration with alis

damaged mud plaster on a large swath pf wall

Newly repaired and plastered wall with alis plaster

Before After

Follow us on Instagram

Looking for a little natural home inspiration? Follow @threejewelsdesign on Instagram for ideas and tips.

Kick off those shoes and feel that earth floor on your bare feet…#cedarshoebench #speakeasydoor
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Moon gazing window, red cedar on barn slider
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So many uses for clay. Although used in a different application, me and the potter who made this chatted about our different burnishing techniques for getting that maximum sparkle! ✨ #taosceramicscenter
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Earthen floor- Before linseed oil / after one coat
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Epoxy resin river vanity on red cedar
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Adobe wall and plaster repair in the O’keefe room at the Mabel Dodge Luhan house.
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Learn about building with adobe bricks and more with the Build Outside the Box mastermind course. Last day to sign up! Use my code: Adobe100 for $100 off! This comprehensive course covers alternative wall systems such as Hempcrete, Cob, Strawbale, Rammed Earth and More!! Sign up here: https://eco-build-lab.mykajabi.com/botb-lp
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Cedar circle! Can you guess what this will be for? #handmadehouse
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It’s brick making season! For a full class on adobe brick making, be on the lookout for the Build Outside the Box series on wall systems coming SOON! #ecobuildlab #buildoutsidethebox
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Heavy on the straw, they said
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Barn doors are still cool
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Walk on the earth with mud floors
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Upstairs loft- reclaimed blue stain pine floors, kaolin clay walls, red cedar trim
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Earth plaster hard troweled with plenty of mica and straw
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Natural pigments give that special splash of color
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Tadelakt sample tile, ready to stone burnish
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Window replaced, plaster repaired
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Tadelakt shower stall
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Fresh clay alis
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