I am currently renovating a circa 1820 farmhouse in upstate NY. Part of the home is brick with plaster and part is timber framed with new sheetrock. My desire is to have a finish that replicates the imperfections of plaster and apply a paint scheme that replicates old italian/french farmhouses. Should I have the drywaller skim coat with a layer of mud thinned with primer? Are their downsides to this? Any other alternatives other than hiring a plasterer which is frighteningly expensive around this part of the wintry north.
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>>replicates the imperfections of plaster
Plaster is considered to be the smoothest most perfect finish for walls. Imperfections that exist are probably the result of a poor plaster job. There are sand finishes and skip trowel finishes among others that do not have smooth finishes. A total coat of mud over sheetrock followed by a good sanding is known as a level 5 finish. This will replicate the look of a smooth plaster job.
Perhaps it would be helpful for you to see some samples made up by your drywall contractor after you explain to him what you are looking for.
kcoyner
Thank you for the reply.
Is it possible that plaster has the ability to be the finest of all finishes as well as being the most utilitarian as well? I spend a lot of time in France...in particular bistros (tough job but hey...all the carpenter positions were taken) and this non-perfect plaster finish seems to be typical not only in France but Italy as well. I'm certainly not looking for perfection but not the look of a bad drywall job either. Where does the compromise lie and is their a classification for it?