New Orleans’ historic housing stock demands more than standard drywall production. From Greek Revival and Victorian residences to Creole townhomes, finish contractors working in this market must deliver high-level surface quality while preserving legacy plaster assemblies. That balance is central to the current restoration of the Benjamin Button house by Jason Bertoniere LLC.

Based in New Orleans, the firm specializes in high-end drywall finishing, decorative painting and plaster repair. Founder Jason Bertoniere built the company around Level 5 gypsum board finishes and detailed surface preparation—critical in homes where raking light, ornate millwork and designer-driven palettes expose every imperfection.

The Benjamin Button property carries architectural and cinematic relevance due to its association with the 2008 film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008, David Fincher). Production Manager Don Burt of the film exclusively told W&C the scope of the film’s alterations to the structure:

"Indeed, it was some years ago and I am a bit uncertain as to what became of it after our filming. We really did not do any structural interior work to any of the existing walls outside of patching and painting and our work was restricted to the exterior and downstairs interior only,” he said. “We did construct a wrap-around enclosed porch that was accessed through the main house and some free standing structures—one a kitchen and another a service housing quarters—in the backyard area of the property.

“We also did extensive work to the brick wall which at that time enclosed the property from an adjacent street,” Burt said, adding that the majority of interior work was accomplished on constructed sets on stages in Los Angeles."

That clarification matters for contractors evaluating legacy conditions. While the production introduced exterior modifications and selective interior patching, most interior scenes were shot on constructed sets. For today’s restoration team, that means the original plaster walls and ceilings remain largely intact—bringing age-related deterioration typical of Gulf Coast structures.

Jason Bertoniere LLC is performing comprehensive drywall and plaster restoration. Scope includes stabilizing existing plaster substrates, repairing cracks, addressing moisture-damaged sections and restoring decorative details. Rather than wholesale demolition, the team is anchoring loose plaster, consolidating weakened sections and blending repairs to maintain continuity in texture and plane.

Surface preparation has been central to the project’s execution. Crews are patching and skim coating where required to achieve a uniform substrate prior to coating application. In historic assemblies, differential movement between framing and legacy plaster can telegraph through finish layers, making joint treatment sequencing and curing control critical.

The firm is also completing interior and exterior painting. High-performance primers are being used to equalize porosity between original plaster and repair areas. Premium topcoats were selected to deliver durability in a humid climate while maintaining the home’s historic character. On projects like this, improper priming or incompatible coatings can result in flashing, adhesion loss or premature failure.

New Orleans remains a relationship-driven market, particularly in historic districts. Designers and homeowners expect contractors to function as artisans while maintaining schedule discipline and jobsite professionalism. That expectation aligns with Bertoniere’s long-standing emphasis on Level 5 finishes in high-visibility environments.

For wall and ceiling professionals, the project underscores several field takeaways: evaluate film or prior renovation work carefully; preserve sound plaster when feasible; control substrate uniformity before applying premium coatings; and understand that historic restoration often demands more labor hours per square foot than new construction.

The Benjamin Button house represents a familiar challenge in legacy markets—honor the original craftsmanship while delivering modern performance. In New Orleans, that balance defines both reputation and repeat work.

Yamila Bertoniere, president of the company, is featured in this month’s Women Who Build feature.