Get Interviewed: Kyle Hanson of Mindful Earthen Finishes
Oct 22, 2026
I first came across Kyle Hanson’s work before I met him.
My friend and fellow local Realtor, Hargo, had recently completed his custom home in Pioneertown, and I had to see it in person. I went over for a tour and to capture video, and one of the details that stayed with me was the earthen plaster. The wall finishes were beautifully executed, with texture and movement that worked so well with the architecture.
At the time, I was in the middle of the renovation of Bonita Domes, now Sandora Domes, in Joshua Tree. As the designer and project manager, I was looking for someone who could take on the plaster repair and refinishing work throughout the domes. After seeing Hargo’s walls, I asked who had done them.
He gave me Kyle’s information, and that introduction became a working relationship I’ve been grateful for ever since.
Working Together at Sandora Domes
Renovating an existing earthbag dome property comes with a different set of considerations than finishing a newly built home. At Sandora Domes, we were working with curved walls, existing plaster, areas needing repair, and a design direction that needed to feel connected to the original structures.
The plaster was a significant part of that. It covered so much of what you saw and touched, and its finish needed to work alongside the other materials we were bringing into the project, including microcement floors, white oak cabinetry, natural stone, and handmade zellige tile.
Kyle came to the table with solutions. He was kind, professional, and willing to work through the repair and refinishing challenges with us. He also collaborated with Casey, the contractor installing the microcement floors, as their work came together throughout the spaces.
As a designer and renovation project manager, I pay attention to how people work with the rest of the team. Existing conditions can change the approach, and the finished result depends on people communicating and solving problems together. Getting to work alongside Kyle gave me a much better understanding of both his craft and how he approaches a project.
Behind-the-scenes repairing and applying plaster at Sandora Domes
Meet Kyle Hanson of Mindful Earthen Finishes
Through Mindful Earthen Finishes, Kyle brings traditional plaster techniques into contemporary homes and spaces across the desert.
Before starting his business, he spent about eight years apprenticing and working with natural plasters, natural building, and permaculture practices. That experience gave him a foundation in the materials and techniques, along with an appreciation for the teacher who helped him develop his craft.
Starting his own business gave him room to experiment further and develop his own approach as an artisan.
His work includes lime plaster, Venetian-style finishes, tadelakt, limewash, and custom textures, with project-specific consultations for microcement. The range allows him to work with different architectural styles and applications, from textured walls and fireplaces to smooth, polished bathroom finishes.
What connects those applications is the attention to the surface itself: its color, texture, movement, and relationship to the surrounding space.
Natural Plaster and Desert Interior Design
Natural plaster has a particular presence in desert homes. Light moves across it throughout the day, revealing variations that can be subtle in one moment and much more visible in another.
That quality can work beautifully with the curved architecture of an earthbag dome, but it also has a place in a more contemporary home. A smooth finish can give a room a quiet backdrop, while a stronger texture or deeper color can become a defining part of the design.
Kyle describes his work as a meeting of modern design and old-world craftsmanship. Custom color and finish development are part of that process, allowing the surface to respond to the project rather than treating every wall the same.
For homeowners planning a Joshua Tree renovation or custom desert home, those decisions belong early in the design conversation. The desired appearance, existing surface, intended use, and surrounding materials all help shape the right approach.
The Art of Tadelakt
One finish Kyle is especially proud of is tadelakt, a traditional Moroccan lime-plaster technique that has been used for centuries.
Through a process of layering and polishing lime plaster, then treating the surface with olive oil soap and beeswax, the finish develops a smooth, softly polished, water-resistant surface. It’s particularly suited to showers and bathrooms, where material, function, and beauty need to work together.
Kyle is passionate about bringing healthier building materials into people’s homes. Lime finishes can be breathable and, depending on the formulation, low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Their properties can support moisture management and help create spaces that feel connected to natural materials rather than synthetic finishes.
From Sandora Domes to an Aubergine Tadelakt Bathroom
More recently, I referred Kyle to my client and friend James LaGrappe of JTTP. He went on to create the aubergine tadelakt bathroom at 4638 Avenida La Mirada in Joshua Tree, a home currently on the market in Joshua Tree.
It’s a different expression of his work from the domes. The deep aubergine brings a rich color into the bathroom, and the hand-finished surface gives it movement and depth.
The renovated home also features polished concrete floors, custom cabinetry and countertops, and brass fixtures and hardware. Kyle’s plaster work adds another distinctive material to that combination.
Seeing his work in both properties has been a good reminder of how versatile these finishes can be. At Sandora Domes, the plaster supported the existing earthen architecture and the overall renovation. At Avenida, the bathroom became an opportunity for a more concentrated use of color and finish.
The Right Clients and Collaborations
Kyle loves working with homeowners, designers, architects, and builders who value craftsmanship, natural materials, and thoughtful design.
His ideal projects balance refinement with warmth: contemporary spaces that still leave room for texture, movement, and the character of a handmade surface. Custom color and finish development allow him to tailor the result to each project rather than rely on a standard finish.
Beyond the Jobsite: Desert Friends and Bodywork
While we were working together at the domes, I also learned that Kyle plays in the local band Desert Friends Band.
It was a fun connection to discover after getting to know him through the renovation. Alongside his plaster work, he plays drums and percussion in multiple bands and works as a Rolfing bodywork practitioner.
Those are parts of his life I might never have learned about if our connection had stayed at a referral and an estimate. Working together gave us the opportunity to get to know each other, which is one of the things I appreciate about collaborating with people in this desert community.
Rooted in Craft and Community
Kyle is grateful to be part of the local community and to have the opportunity to do work he genuinely loves. Through Mindful Earthen Finishes, he brings traditional techniques, natural materials, and an artisan’s perspective into homes and projects throughout the region.
For those looking to create a space that feels considered, grounded, and a little less ordinary, his work offers a reminder that the surfaces around us can be more than a backdrop. They can be part of what makes a place feel like home.
Why I Wanted to Share His Work
A beautiful finished project is the result of a lot of people’s work, and I like being able to introduce the people behind the details.
With Kyle, I’ve had the opportunity to see the finished product and experience the process. I first noticed his work in Hargo’s Pioneertown home, worked with him through the Sandora Domes renovation, and later felt confident referring him to another client and friend.
That’s what makes this introduction personal. I appreciate his craftsmanship, but I also appreciate his professionalism, kindness, and willingness to help find a solution.
Explore Kyle’s work: Mindful Earthen Finishes
Follow him on Instagram: @mindfulearthenfinishes
