My husband and I are doing all the work transforming a 1200 sq foot country cottage that was really one room with add-on after mismatched add-on into a 1 1/2 story 3400 sq ft home. I am now mudding ceilings. Here is the question: Are California knock down ceilings passé? I have learned over the years to do that well and at the start of our project 6 years ago I had planned to do this texture on all walls and ceilings. Now I know I want smooth walls. And I just finished the smooth ceiling over the stairway (8x18) and my neck is sore! I am going to do the knockdown in the closets out of shear laziness. What do you think of it for room ceilings? I never want to do it again. I am 62. The style will be a slightly eclectic comfortable country farmhouse.