While it might be a pain, doing a very thin coat of joint compound will be your best results for the cheapest money (maybe $10 or so). Use a large/wide drywall blade to closely skim the compound on there. Make the coat very thin taking back off as much as possible. The goal is to just fill in all the low spots, not add anything to areas that are fine already. The less you put on there to begin with, the less you will have to sand off later when it is dry (though still do a sanding to get ...»

I have added texture to the wall in the past to give it a unique dimension while minimizing the headache of skimming the walls myself. I would recommend that our clients have us make the walls smooth and paint them since it would look more polished.

I bet you could get a pro in there to do that for a pretty reasonable price. Should be pretty quick for them. I definitely understand why you dread joint compound, but if you thin it out a little bit and keep it really thin on the wall, it really shouldn't be as tough as it might seem.

You could also register to get a free green makeover by SawHorse- http://www.hometalk.com/activity/84192

SH idea of a light texture is good one but takes a little finesse with the compound. You can mix compound with paint and roll it on and gently drag a wide blade over it to knock down the high points. To do this, the trim and vanity, etc. need to be taped off. A pro will likely charge you one full days work; perhaps $150-225 for labor. You can try calling your local Sher-Wil paint store for someone they can recommend.

Best, CPeace

Paola, you can always call a few professionals to get bids and ask for their input about how they plan to do it and their concerns or recommendatons. You might be surprised by the actual cost and they may dissuade you from something with would be wrong. If nothing else, then you have a good comp for knowing how much you saved by doing it by yourself.

Beadboard on the lower half of the wall looks good too...and, as much as I hate to say it...I think wallpaper in baths is gradually making a comeback...you call also put up a piece of chair rail and put a nice paper on the lower half...painting the top half...that's a good look too...we have some excellent designers posting here as well...so scroll through their pics! Best of luck.....

beadboard yes...beadboard wallpaper...no...that's a new one but we may be talking about the same thing. Beadboard is a thin plywood sheet made to look like old wainscoating. We use it alot in baths and porch ceilings. Is that what you mean?

This maybe what you are talking about. It's a thicker paper that might cover the old paper and damage. I'd still recommend that you get back to the bare walls before you do anything. This paper does have Microban in it to deter mold but that won't do anything for the layers under that. The paper is available at Home Depot for $44 a bolt I think.

Paola, is the wall plaster or sheetrock? I like the beadboard idea. You can also apply a "wallpaper liner"...it looks like interfacing and is applied with vinyl paste and applied vertically [sounds complicated but east to do and can be painted or papered over [after thoroughly dry]. A White beadboard [wood] with a fresh color above sounds yummy!

Depends on how deep the irregularities are and your expectations. On the safe side, you patch over a few of the deepest places. Even if you could tell it used to be a little rough, it won't matter as much when you see the nice paper.

CP

Look forward to seeing your new pics!!!

Paola, you are trying to reduce the file size (mb to kb) and not the photo size I assume. I had to walk a client through this once on the phone. Ended up we printed them electronically as a .pdf and then converted back to a .jpg.

Paola, if you are using Picasa, this is how to do it. http://www.ehow.com/how_4570888_reduce-phot...

If you are using another program it might track or you may want to try to search for help (if you have not already)

The best solution to getting your wall smooth again is to have a "Skim Coat" done on your walls with Sparkle...Once that dries, you need to sand it and then prime coat it before painting. I'm going to have to do the same soon. When we bought our home, the painters removed the wallpaper, but never did the above mentioned. The walls have been "Imperfect" for the last 12 years and it's been driving me crazy!