On second thought--finishing the cathedral ceiling

[MikeT]

The drywallers have installed the drywall throughout the Victoria's Cottage design and finished everything with an orange peel texture except the cathedral ceiling in the main part of the house.  I had them only do a first tape/fire tape because I thought I was going to cover it with reclaimed cedar fencing.  But the more I look at the space and how it relates to windows, the ridge beam running down the middle, etc., I am having second thoughts. 

I am thinking of hand texturing the ceiling since in the loft area with a stronger style/more pronounced style than the orange peel finish the walls have.  My reasoning is the ceiling is more like an a-frame wall and would benefit from more contrast. 

What are your thoughts?  Is there a texturing option that would minimize the amount of additional feathering/sanding/smoothing I would have to do since I only have a first tape done.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[dug]

My friend used a cement based (I think) product called structolite that he applied right over the taped seams, no mud! It can be troweled or sponge finished to produce a variety of textures. Looked real good.

[Redoverfarm]

Maybe a "knockdown" texture.

[TheWire]

Here is what I did in my basement and plan on using it at the cabin.

Thin drywall joint compound to the thickness of pancake batter.
Using a heavy nap paint roller, roll a thick coat on.
Then wad up a plastic grocery bag and dab the entire surface.  It will pull up a bunch of points.
Let his set for about 15 minutes then slowly pull a 24" wide plastic knockdown knife over it, holding the knife almost parallel to the wall.

You can go over the surface with the knife more than once if needed, wipe its edge often.  For prep I only did 1 layer of mud on the screws, 2 rough coats on the joints and they are invisible.  

[MikeT]

Thanks.  Is what is described above (by TheWire) what people call knockdown? 

[Redoverfarm]

The same general application but some I know use a heavy stucco roller for the compound application.