Filling holes/plastering

[hydrangea78]

How to get this room ready to paint?
We gutted our utility room to fit a new heating system and I am desperate to redecorate as currently have washing machine etc in the living room.
OH has decided he doesn't have time to deal with this. I'm on mat leave, am quite practical and would like to give this a go.
Walls have holes and uneven surface from where tiles and coving were.
How best to even out the walls? Fill larger holes with filler? Quick guide to plastering? OH muttered something about plastering tape? Not hoping for perfect finish, just a surface to retile and paint.
Or should I call in a professional after all?
Pics attached. Thanks!

Rather you than me, that looks like a lot of work for a novice... But a quick job for a pro. I'd get a quote first then you can judge if it's worth you trying

Your OH sounds delightful. He doesn’t have time! But you do with a young baby?

Anyway, I would stick up architrave to cover the worst.

You can also buy ready mixed plaster to smooth out the walls - I did this over a small amount of wall, after scraping off the worst.

Def stick up an architrave to cover most where wall joins ceiling.
Round socket you'd need to chip off the old adhesive, the bit with the grooves in. Then buy ready mixed skim coat and spread over with a flat edged scraper. It's a bit like icing a cake . Better to do thin layers and repeat once dry.
Then sand and it's ready to go. good luck

Do you plan to leave the artex ceiling? Getting the whole thing skimmed ceiling/walls by a plasterer would definitely be best and if a small room (assuming as you said it's a utility) then it shouldn't be more than say £300/400 (it's basically a day's work and materials).

If you want to do it yourself then yes coving would make sense to deal with the wall/ceiling issue although may look a little over the top in a utility.

As a PP said you need to scrap off the grey ridged old adhesive (I find something like this the best - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p29412?r=googleshopping&rr=marin&utmsource=googleshopping&utmmmedium=feed&utmcampaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=skI9nqoh11dm&pcrid=142478673562&pkw=&pmt=&product=29412&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5q2ytqe12QIVRkAbCh2L8ghpEAQYAiABEgI9xDD_BwE)

Get a plastering trowel if you're going to do a reasonable sized area, they're cheap but necessary. If it's more holes to fill use a lightweight mousse like consistency filler (I like www.polycell.co.uk/product/polycell-advanced-polyfilla/) it's v easy to use and dries quickly

Good luck!

If you have the money I would get a plasterer in and get it done professionally and then when it’s dry paint it yourself.

Thanks for all the advice! White marble - have seen the required tools in the garage. Watched a few YouTube videos. Going to give it a go - will update!