What Makes Bungalows Different
Chicago bungalows were built with plaster over wood lath. The plaster has a texture that's somewhere between smooth and orange peel, applied by hand with a slight stipple. Most of it is incredibly durable since it had 100 years to cure. The problems start when people try to repair plaster with drywall techniques.
Elena's living room had three different repair attempts visible once I looked closely. A drywall patch from maybe the 1980s that someone had textured with a sponge (wrong texture). A caulk-filled crack from the 2000s that was pulling away. And a section where someone had skim-coated over failing plaster with regular joint compound (which was now failing itself).
The Repair Approach
For the plaster-to-drywall seam, I used mesh tape with flexible compound, leaving slightly more thickness than you'd use on a normal seam. This allows some movement without cracking. For the caulked crack, I dug out the old caulk, opened up the crack slightly with a utility knife, filled it with setting-type compound, then topped with regular compound once that cured.
The skim coat section was the biggest job. I had to scrape off everything that was loose, which was most of it, and then apply a bonding agent before skim-coating again. Setting-type compound works better for this than regular compound because it bonds mechanically rather than just sitting on top.
Matching the Texture
The original 1920s texture was the hardest part. It's not quite smooth, not quite orange peel, just a subtle hand-applied variation. I practiced on scrap drywall before touching the actual walls.
The trick was using a thick brush to stipple the wet compound, then lightly smoothing with a wide knife. It's not a perfect match, but it's close enough that you don't notice unless you're looking for it. Under the fresh paint, Elena's friends don't even know there were repairs.
Bungalow-Specific Advice
If you own a Chicago bungalow, a few things to keep in mind. The original plaster is probably in better shape than you think, so don't cover it with drywall unless you have to. Use setting-type compound for plaster repairs since it bonds better. Allow for movement at transitions between old and new materials. And accept that matching the original texture is an art, not a science.
These houses have survived 100 years. With proper repairs, they'll survive 100 more.