I have just bought a 1915 four-square on Long Island, and need to do some plaster repair to the walls and ceilings. The problem is that they are not a smooth finish. There is a random sort of “embossed” texture that I have seen in a few of the home on Long Island. If I repair a crack, i dont want to have a nice smooth line running through it, as it will draw just as much attention as a crack would. Anyone have any ideas or know of any publishings that might give me some direction?
Thanks
-Cliff
Replies
Don't you just hate texture on plaster walls? I sure do. Always dirty, and impossible to patch.
Most texture can be replicated, but you need someone with experience with THAT particular texture to tell you how. You need to know what gives it the texture, and how it was applied. And I can't quite picture what you are describing. If you can post a picture, maybe someone else can tell you what to do.
But I also suggest checking carefully to see if there are more layers there than meets the eye. We have a 1901 four square in Ohio, and we thought we had texture in the paint. Actually it was texture under paint over plaster patching over wallpaper over paint over wallpaper, etc. Once we got the wallpaper removed, viola! No texture (no money either, but that's a different story).
You should find a plasterer or mason that knows how to texture. I do that but live too far out to come help. Search around and ask.