Has anyone ever used old lath and plaster as a decorating element? I have demo'ed all the walls in my front (interior) entryway in a 1910 home. The old lath and plaster is in good shape, I like the look of it..and it would not be the first thing you see when you walk in...it's 2 steps down~off to the side a bit. The wall is 7'hx5'w. Maybe it would look good with some old brick in adjacent areas? Thank you!My first post, having a heck of a time getting it posted!
Lyn

Question:
Has anyone ever used old lath and plaster as a decorating element? I have demo'ed all the walls in my front (interior) entryway in a 1910 home. The old lath and plaster is in good shape, I like the look of it..and it would not be the first thing you see when you walk in...it's 2 steps down~off to the side a bit. The wall is 7'hx5'w. Maybe it would look good with some old brick in adjacent areas? Thank you!
Lyn

Choices:
Has anyone ever used old lath and plaster as a decorating element?
Maybe it would look good with some old exposed brick in adjacent areas?

 

Gee for a first post and you're doing a vote?? That's gutsy! Anyway I'm not clear on what you have. You said you demo'd the walls in the foyer/entry - do you mean that you took down the plaster and now just have the lath? Or you took off things like the old wallpaper but still have the plaster?

In either case, lath is not supposed to be seen. At all, ever. It is there to hold the plaster on the walls - it has a function like insulation has a function, llike plumbing has a function etc. In later times, rather than wood lath, they used wire lath - same function - different material.

So my answer would be a resounding NO on keeping exposed lath with or without hunks of bricks. Besides, you now own a house that is 100 years old. It would not be proper and fitting to have such an interior treatment. The original builder and owners would be shocked and devestated if you left the lath up only as some sort of rustic decorative treatment. Houses of that era were bragging about their new sophistication with new bathrooms and kitchens and modern electric and heating - they were the frontier houses of the modern era, and to virtually have their insides hanging out - would've been unheard of. Treat your house with respect for its age and style, and in the long run you will not only have a better house, but will preserve your property values.

sorry to be so abrupt.

Thank you Melissa, some good points to consider. The lath and plaster is still in tact, it used to be under sheetrock. And, I had no idea it is consider "gutsy" for a first timer to post a question in such a manner. Thank you for pointing that out.

The "gutsy" remark is that doing a poll takes some techie knowledge - so I was remarking on your prowess!

OK, so you still have the plaster up - no lath showing? That wasn't clear in your question. What type of house do you have - do you know the style?

I'm an old house nut - even before it was cool to be into preservation - so I'm interested in what you're doing and maybe I can help you figure out what to do next. Why was the wall sheetrocked? What condition is the plaster in now that the drywall is off? Lots of holes - a real mess - or not too bad - fixable? do you have pictures of your walls?

Well although it isn't done at all to the best of any of us know doesn't mean it couldn't be done. I well remember when everyone started ripping plaster off brick walls (us included) that never were meant to be exposed! My only caution would be if this is on an outside wall you would be losing heat/cooling without the further insulation of drywall/plaster.

Thank you Lady. It's an interior wall and I'm still undecided what to do~I know I do not want sheetrock again. So many options! A friend told me he saw an urban loft home in Denver that had the lath and plaster exposed. It's an old warehouse style loft, I can totally see it working with that design style. Who ever imagined 20 years ago duct work could look so good too? ha. Ditto with old brick, as you said...I appreciate your input.