I live in a house built in the 1930s, but I'm not sure when this wall feature was added. I think the house was remodeled in the 70s. There are these two arches on either side of the feature, and one is attached with a piece of metal to the ceiling and the wall. I'm curious about the materials used and whether these arches can be removed. Here's a link to some pictures: https://imgur.com/a/YDJ2swt
3 Answers
It sounds like the arches are just decorative additions. They likely used plywood or drywall to create the shape and then texturized it to blend with the wall. If you're looking to remove them, it shouldn't be too hard. Just make sure to check for any hidden fixtures first.
From the look of those arches, it seems like they were added to help the crown molding continue around. They probably patched the wall to cover up whatever was there before. The wall texture might be Artex, which is known to sometimes contain asbestos. It's wise to check for that if you're thinking about doing any work on it!
Yeah, that textured finish does look like it could be Artex or something similar. If it is, be cautious about potential asbestos. I totally understand your worry—especially if you plan to work on or modify the wall. Asbestos becomes a concern mainly when it's disturbed over time, so it's best to handle it carefully.