Thanks Tom, I was hoping you would answer with your extensive knowledge. I do not want to lose the crown. Could the ceiling be taken down to close to the crown without removing it? Then appropriate thickness supports be attached to the original joists that would cause the Sheetrock to be level with the old ceiling and the two blended together? Does that make sense? I know there are different finish levels for Sheetrock. Are you referring to what is called a level 5 finish to make it resemble plaster? Or is there something else?
This is going to be such a mess. The joy of old houses
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The problem with humanity is: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and God-like technology. Edward O. Wilson