Need suggestion for faux stone entryway in rustic 1928 Spanish revival

last month

The original wall surface is mostly intact but in somewhat poor condition after years of bad decorating ideas. The original faux plaster surface looks like large stone blocks set in a running bond pattern. The original finish, evident in some of these photos, has a coarse, porous texture and a natural appearance that mimics stone well.

I’d like to get back to something that looks approximately the same as the original. My first choice would be to mimic that original coarse texture and natural stone color. I considered some kind of paint that contains sand but I believe that would mask the original texture and fill in too much detail. I also considered techniques that use a base layer of paint with a glaze that highlights the texture, but think that might take away from the natural appearance. Because the style of the house is intentionally rustic I’m fine with the many imperfections if the color is consistent and looks like the original faux stone.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this question.

The house was designed and built by Allen Hilton, a San Diego builder who used archaic materials and very rustic details in all of his designs. The previous renters and owners clearly did not understand or appreciate his style.

The entry was painted a pale yellow, most likely in the early 30s, and then painted pale green, possibly in the 40s. In the 50s a renter used joint compound to level the surface so they could apply wallpaper. A different tenant later put another layer of wallpaper over that, with an atomic/space age pattern. Other tenants later painted the wall multiple

times. The final coat may have been applied with a shovel.

I have the original cut glass flush light, which I’m restoring. I’ll strip the paint off the door and stain it to match the baseboards after I finish the walls.

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Comments (7)

socalgal_gw Zone USDA 10b Sunset 24
last month
I have a faux stone border to my fireplace. I sponged on a tan base color, some areas thicker than others, then small amounts of gray and I think another color on top. It was many years ago!

What really helped the look was an idea from my chimney sweep. Instead of painting the mortar between the faux stones, which would surely look fake, I put in a sandy-textured gray stucco patch.
Clay Fisher
Original Author
last month
I like the final result and the idea of using a sponge to apply the color. Was the original condition a lot different due to wear and tear over the years?
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socalgal_gw Zone USDA 10b Sunset 24
last month
No it wasn’t. It was just painted all white like the rest of the wall.
Clay Fisher
Original Author
last month
I wondered if that might be the case because I’ve seen similar fireplace surrounds in the area. Nicely done!
PRO
oncape
last month
last modified: last month
I don't know anything about finishes; but I do know how to google. Will this help you?

Best Applications for Porous Plaster
- Limewash / Lime Paint: Traditional slaked-lime finishes (such as Plastrum Limewash or Vasari Lime Paint). They chemically bond to porous plaster through carbonation, keeping the wall completely breathable while maintaining a chalky, matte, and softly textured visual depth. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Silicate Mineral Paint: Formulated from liquid potassium silicate, these paints fuse directly into the porous substrate rather than sitting on top as a plastic film, preserving a completely matte, authentic mineral texture. [1, 2, 3]
- Casein or Clay Paint: Highly breathable, natural options derived from milk protein or clay that absorb into the surface and dry to a flat, soft, porous finish. [1, 2]
PRO
oncape
last month

If you are researching a specific Allen Hilton property in San Diego and need details on its building permits or historical designation reports, let me know the address! Says AI
Clay Fisher
Original Author
last month
Thank you @oncape. I already have a historical report from a well known local company which offers this service in the area. According to this report, the building department office for my area burned down in 1954, and all records were lost; the historical report did not identify either the builder or the first owner.

Later however, while performing demolition work on an original bathroom, I found a lumber remnant in the wall, indicating the order was placed by “A. Hilton”. I didn’t know who Hilton was at the time but I did save the remnant.

During an earlier phase of my project I subsequently hired an interior wood finishing expert who did a lot of historical renovations in the area and is very familiar with several other Hilton projects in San Diego, including one where he did significant work three blocks away. I showed him the remnant and he confirmed that contractors at that time frequently left similar items in wall when building homes. I’ve visted two Hilton homes in the neighborhood with historical designation, and the similarities are obvious, both in the overall look of the houses and the architectural details.

I originally paid for the historical report in the hope that the house might be eligible for Mills Act designation. I decided not to pursue because the garage was apparently extended 7’ forward seven years after the house was built and I have no recorded documents linking Hilton to the project. In my mind there is no question however.