Handmade Plaster Walls

Types

• Plaster walls can be heavily plastered or lightly skimmed with texture. Even with layers as thin as 1/8 inch, the walls appear to have a thick layer plaster added. Plaster may be troweled, rolled on or even applied with a damp sea sponge. Once applied, additional impressions and variations may be added by pouncing the wet plaster with a plastic bag, adding more plaster over a first dried layer or coloring the plaster. Hundreds of looks may be created with drywall compound. It is important to experiment with different techniques so you can replicate the look on a large wall surface.

Hues and Tints

• Plaster walls often have a slightly translucent hue or tint. The drywall compound must first be well sealed off. Roll on a coat of satin latex paint with a rough nap roller to seal off the wall. Drywall compound is extremely dry, similar to chalk. For any paint or glaze to move around the wall, a glossy surface must be created. Next, brush on sections of tinted glaze or simply trowel on tinted wax over your surface. Use a rag or sea sponge to blot the color and remove excess product from your plastered walls.

Creation Guidlines

• Drywall compound and paint create a variety of looks. Practice the paint and plaster technique several times before hitting your wall's surface. Find someone to help you apply the look to your walls. Because plaster is hand-applied, it may take several days to complete the entire project. When plastering your walls, wear old clothes, cover your hair and use disposable gloves, and protect all surfaces with dropcloths and painter's plastic.

Permanent Walls

• Remember, plaster is extremely difficult to remove once applied to your walls. You must be willing to commit to your wall finish for many years. However, though the texture is difficult to remove, you are able to repaint and change the color of your plaster walls if your interior color palette changes. With thin plaster finishes, you may be able to sand down the texture, yet this will be extremely time-consuming. Remember, some paint finishes mimic plaster walls and look like texture, yet the walls remain smooth.