Columbusguy, I will try to remember to take a pic and post it when we close on the house next week. The birds match the turquoise toilet, tub, and sink very nicely. The birds may be allowed to stay, at least for a while, but the turquoise toilet is frightening. Wondering about glazing the tub... As for my mom, you are right it is my house and ultimately I will make the decisions. Problem is, I need her help with things like painting and landscaping. Or at least I need her to watch my two little ones so I can do those things. The infant isn't great an entertaining herself and the toddler gets into EVERYTHING. My mom actually tried to talk me into a ranch, but like you, I have NO interest. I love old houses with all their quirks and just want to make sure I'm not doing this poor old place a disservice. It's really helpful for me to be able to send my mom things like posts from this forum to back up what I'm telling her. Mothers always think they know better than their daughters, no matter that the daughters have daughters of their own. :)

Hi all, Thanks for your advice. It is a concrete wall covered with plaster. Before I painted the wall with latex the wall surface was quite smooth except looking a little bid old and slighly chalky. I painted with several layers of latex on it. The new wall looked beautiful with shining surface but lasting about 14 months. Then the latex starts cracking, flaking and peeling. If I peel off the latex layer a smooth old wall will come back. The summer is hot and humid here. AC and humidifier are on when I'm at home but not running round the clock. I'm prepared to remove all loose latex and sand the wall thoroughly. Afterward I'll coat the wall with; Gardz http://www.zinsserdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=96 OR Peelstop http://www.zinsserdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=1_4&products_id=26 for hanging wallpaper. My second thought is whether I need to hang lining paper. The wall is quite smooth. After finish I expect the wall can last for great number of years. Advice would be appreciated. Besides which sealer will be more suitable for my application, Gardz OR Peelstop. Thanks in advance. B.R. satimis

For the cracks, you need to use fiberglass or paper tape. Joint compound can be used to fill bumps / holes. You can find DIY wall patching techniques just by Googling. There are also books at the Big Box stores. I wouldn't skim coat, 'high build' primer will fill in small voids / imperfections. KILZ High Build Surface Healing Primer Interior Water-Based Primer/Sealer

My 1940 house has had similar plaster cracks. My walls are smooth finish, and some cracks have been filled with plaster of paris, and others were fixed with drywall mud. Both solutions seem to work fine. The wall and house construction is probably fine. Plaster is very hard and unflexible, so seasonal weather changes and and expansion or contraction of the house structure can cause cracks to appear. The plaster can't give, so it cracks. Also tell her to make sure she uses the right technique to hang pictures and shelves on the walls. Just nailing a picture hanger in may cause the plaster surface to fracture, and lead to a divot the size of a quarter around the hole. Even small picture hanger nails should have a small predrilled hole, and then very gentle hammer action to drive the nail in. Another issue to be aware of is that the house probably has shiny oil-based paint on the inside trim and doors, and its a real PIA to get modern paints to stick to the smooth finish. Vigorous sanding (wearing a mask) and good primer are mandatory if you don't want the new paint to just peel off with your fingernail. Bruce