You Can Get a Hand-Plastered Look EASILY!

And you can get for very little money.

Here's my window patch - still wet in places

to illustrate the technique.

Here's the drywall compound

and the tools needed to do this look:

Not exactly beauty shots of the joint compound

or the cheap plastic putty knives, but hey - we're real here.

This is a very THIN texture - not thick like stucco.

It is ideally about 1/16 to 1/18 of an inch thick.

I've done this texture in 2 homes, and it is

without a doubt the best, easiest to "match" when needed,

most versatile wall texture EVER.

It resembles hand plastered walls used in old homes.

I first saw it done years ago on "This Old House"

when they added on to a colonial home, and wanted

the addition to appear to be original.

It can be glazed for a more dramatic, historic or rustic look,

or painted a flat color for an interesting but subtle texture

for contemporary environments. 

It's easy to cover nail holes, patch accidental bigger holes,

even remove windows and doors, like I'm doing!

All my friends have asked for tutorials, and I'm happy to show them.

How do you do it? Just slap some on the wall and spread it thinly.

Seriously - that's all. BUT there are a few "pointers" to 

make sure you achieve the desired look.

First - everyone has a different "style."

Last year I showed my friend Karen how to do it

as we did it in her living room. I did a wall, 

and she did another. When we looked at them,

they looked a bit different. SO, if you share

the responsibility, be prepared to go back and

add or sand off some of the dry compound.

This stuff sands easily, and cleans up with water.

Second - even one person's work will require a

little adding or sanding, so be sure to look things over

before you paint to make sure your walls are consistent.

Third - don't be tempted to pile it on too thickly.

It will crack if you do. A couple of thin coats

is way better than one thick one. This is even

true when you're using the stuff to cover the joints

in drywall. By the way, can you see where

the two pieces come together?

I didn't think so. That is one of the BEST things

about this texture. It can also be applied over

previously textured walls. Have you ever seen

where someone patched a traditional brush

textured wall? They can never match it. So you

have a patch place that sticks out like a sore thumb!

This texture covers a MULTITUDE of sins - patches,

uneven drywall seams, cracks from settling, etc. 

You just build it up where needed, and smooth it out.

Like I said earlier - if you need it to be a little thicker,

just do multiple thin layers. 

After this dries, it turns white. This is the best time to check

for consistency and sand any rough places or add any "too flat" places.

Next, it can be painted with or without primer. 

This may not be the most EXCITING post ever, 

but for me, this texture has been a real time-saving 

and attractive background for my home.

It allowed me to cover the wallpaper seams

relatively easily, without stripping it!

When you're looking at a whole house

that's been wallpapered, that is a REAL time-saver.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Word for the Day:

Micah 7:11
The day for building your walls will come, 

the day for extending your boundaries.

Linking With
Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/	Cowgirl Up!
http://www.elizabethandco.blogspot.com/	Be Inspired
Wednesday
http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com	Share the Love Wednesday
http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/	Primp Your Stuff Wed
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/	Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/	Transformation Thursday
http://www.the36thavenue.com/	Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/	Thrifty Thursday
http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com	Home and Garden Thursday
http://akadesign.ca	Doin’ It Yourself
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.remodelaholic.com/	Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/	Frugalicious Friday
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/	Inspiration Friday
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/	Flaunt it Friday
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com	Vintage Inspiration Friday
Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/	Saturday Nite Special
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday