How to Create an Old World Appearance Plaster Wall

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By applying joint compound and a color wash, you can give your modern walls an Old World look. The combined compound gives the walls a rustic feel like those discovered in the ancient homes of France and the Mediterranean. Adding glaze to the walls creates a classical look that transports one to the north of France when you enter the space. While this project can take a week or longer to complete, the distinguishing old world complete to your walls is one that is going to make you proud.

Prepare the area by getting rid of the furniture in the space and removing pictures, art, wall switch and outlet covers in the wall. Drape plastic sheeting over stationary items and across the ground. Use painter’s tape to secure the sheeting to the baseboards, stationary items and to protect surface that you don’t want plastered.

Mix 2 gallons of hot water with 1/2 cup trisodium phosphate (TSP) at a 5-gallon bucket. Use the mixture and a huge sponge to clean the walls. Use clean water and a new sponge to rinse the walls. Let the walls dry immediately.

Repair any big cracks or holes in the wall by filling them with premixed drywall joint compound. Use a 3-inch wide putty knife to apply and smooth the compound on the wall. Let the joint compound dry for at least 24 hours.

Sand the whole wall with 220-grit sandpaper. This aids the plaster adhere to the wall.

Transfer a generous number of premixed drywall joint compound from its container to your plastic mud pan. Scoop some of the compound from the pan with a 12-inch drywall trowel.

Apply a 1/8-inch layer of joint compound to the wall start at the very top corner. Use big, random sweeping strokes to use the compound from the cover of the wall on the underside. Permit the strokes to make uneven ridges across the top layer of the wall. Don’t attempt to smooth the plaster with the towel.

Let the joint compound dry for 24 hours. Gently sand the wall with 220-grit sandpaper to remove any sharp ridges and high bulges. Brush the top layer of the wall with a clean, dry paintbrush to remove compound dust.

Apply polyvinyl acetate (PVA) drywall primer with a 3/4-inch nap, 9-inch roller cover over the dry joint compound. Let the primer dry for at least 24 hours.

Paint the wall with an eggshell-finish acrylic latex paint in your choice of color. Use a clean 3/4-inch nap, 9-inch roller cover to thoroughly cover the top layer of the wall. Let the base coat dry for two days.

Decide on a shade of eggshell finish latex paint that is slightly darker than your base coat but it also complements it. Mix one part of the paint with four parts of water-based translucent glaze at a huge bucket. Expand the glaze with a paint stick to thoroughly mix the first glaze.

Create a second cemented by pouring one-third of the very first glaze into another massive bucket. Insert an equal amonut of eggshell complete white latex paint to the bucket. Expand this second cemented thoroughly until the paint and glaze mixture.

Ask an assistant that will help you use the glazes, as both glazes must stay wet throughout the application process. Use a 3-inch paintbrush to implement the first glaze in random strokes beginning at the peak of the wall and working your way to the underside. Your helper should follow you, applying the second glaze on the top of their very first with random strokes with a 3-inch paintbrush.

Combine both glazes with a clean, 4-inch paintbrush. Use ransom strokes with the larger brush until you achieve the effect you desire. Continue to work down the whole length of the wall using the same application method.

Eliminate the sheeting and painter’s tape in the room and walls. Move the furniture back in the room. Replace the outlet and switch covers, art and photographs.

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