Plastering or parging interior block basement walls – GreenBuildingAdvisor

Hi everyone. I’m in climate zone 6 in northeast Ohio. I have a cinder block wall foundation that I want to plaster or parge over to masks the block lines and give a smoother texture to (still want some character to it). I want to apply whatever material is recommended directly to the block if possible to minimize additional thickness. I cannot add any insulation or studs and ideally no furring strips to the wall for this reason as it will encroach too far into the basement staircase. I want to keep all materials used vapor permeable. There are some suggestions out there recommending a bonding agent, then plastering compound (drywall compound? Portland cement?) then an appropriate paint. Some suggestion lath or mesh. On the two walls that need addressed soon so I can install the staircase, one is an interior wall and the other an exterior. Neither seems to have much of a problem with moisture. The problem is that they’re painted with what I assume is a latex paint blocking vapor permeability. Walls on the backside of the house did have moisture problems with blistering paint and efflorescence but have been very dry for a number of years since fixing my gutters.

What can I do? I’m tempted to take my chances and just put compound over the painted walls with a bonding agent. Removing the paint would be hard I’d think but maybe possible with a paint stripper.