faux stone exterior??

So I've been thinking about a straw bale house,but not liking the adobe look---

Is it possible to make a faux stone finish with the adobe/mud on the exterior walls? I've heard you can add pigment to the clay (so it could be colored to look like native stone), but could you also carve/press stone patterns into the side of the outer walls?

Hi Shawna,

Lime plaster is basically limestone after it carbonates fully. There are many traditions of decorated lime plaster and some look like stone.

Such as:
Sgrafito
Carved and diapered plaster
Depeter
Pargeting
Model in situcan be used in infinite ways to resemble anything you would like including ashlar stone masonry.

The world of lime plaster has been hidden for a century from the 'merican permies, but is making a resurgence. Please take a look at the links and let us know what you like, then we can go into more detail.

All Blessings,
Bill

I'm looking at putting together something simple based on the following pictures. I'd just like it to look like it was made with the native limestone here in the Midwest.

Hi Shawna,
Lining out is what you are looking for.
Here's a project from the web - Lining out

Basically plaster the building and incise the pattern into the final finish. Then you can fill the incision with another color of plaster to look like mortar joints.

This is pretty technical work, but achievable with some practice.

Good Luck,
Bill