So the bathroom in my new house has textured walls. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be textured wallpaper extremely well bonded to the wall which has been painted over numerous times, and most recently with a brown paint containing sand. So it is texture on top of texture. A variety of implements have been used thus far in an attempt to remove the texture, including glass scrapers and powered sanders. Some, but not all, of the sand has come off, but none of the wall paper, which makes me think it's become a permanent part of the walls. The walls are plaster.

None of this would exactly be an issue, I could paint and just learn to live with the textured walls... Except that the window looks into an addition (so another room of the house) which is, in my opinion, not ideal. I therefore intend to remove the window. So... What do I do with that wall the window is on? Smooth drywall plus textured wall would be an eyesore.... So some sort of feature wall? A big painting? I'm stumped. Whatever it is can only add minimal thickness (half inch or less) without the edge of the tub and the tile at the floor looking strange.

Fwiw, I'm planning to paint a smokey blue colour and buy new lighting. I also have a new shower curtain.