It could be a good solution for less than perfect walls, but IMO it wouldn't fit a 1928 bungalow (but if you're not trying to do an historic renovation, that wouldn't be an issue). If you go this route, make sure that you really love the look and the color, because it could be very difficult or impossible to change later. I suspect that your contractor suggested this because it'd be faster, cheaper, and require less skill than restoring the walls, rather than for aesthetic reasons. (This is the same reasoning behind popcorn ceilings.) You might want to ask your contractor what it would take to fix the walls instead -- most walls can be repaired. If they can't be repaired, they could be replaced. The cost may not be prohibitive, since a bathroom is a relatively small space.

Oh dear, Dallasbill...I just saw this post because chiefneil was kind enough to link to the thread on another forum. Thank you so much for posting the pics and linking to more. Your house takes my breath away. That is the *perfect* wall treatment for the design of the home. That last picture of the several planes of wall with the different inflections of the finish...calls to mind Georgia O'Keefe for some reason, that same stillness... Going back to look at it again and sigh.

I'm a professional decorative painter and I use authentic Venetian Plaster - which is very diferent from the kinds you find in the big box stores etc (which are synthetic versions). If you could witness the difference between the two, side by side...you would never want the Lowes and Home Depot versions. The real VP actually changes the architecture of your walls - it actually reverts back to limestone on your walls after it hardens...and it's cool to the touch - just like marble (that's a very good way to tell whether you have a real VP versus a synthetic - touch it. If it's warm - it's synthetic). However - it's very labor intensive (and very expensive) to do the "real thing" and it takes time to learn how to work with the real lime-based material. There are other brands that you could try - that would bring you beautiful results (much better than the big box stores will bring you). I would try Aqua Finishing Solutions brand called Bellissimo Venetian Gem - it's very nice - easy to burnish (to get that high shine). That same company also just came out with StucoLux - which is very nice too...it will burnish easily and will give you that marble look. www.aquafinishingsolutions.com Linda

I assume you mean a faux Venetian plaster that is a thin coating over gypsum wall board. The paper facing on standard gypsum wall board doesn't accept a veneer plaster finish coating well. For that you need a veneer plaster "base" commonly called "blueboard" because it has a light blue/gray color. Any drywall contractor will know what it is. Veneer plaster is common only in a few parts of the US. Where is the project located?