I am decorating a room in a house built 1912. Under the many layers of wallpaper there is a green powdery coating on the walls. Is this old paint? If so, if it is lead based paint can I paint over it with emulsion or a specialised paint or do I have to wallpaper. It is going to be a children's room so I want to make sure it will be safe.
It's unlikely to be lead as this was used for woodwork , most probable is distemper if the surface is chalky you will need to wash it down and apply a coat of Artex stabiliser then paint as normal.
