Pebble dashing (textured roughcast) was pioneered by the Arts & Crafts Movement as a cheap stone or rock external finish. It became popular in the 1920's, but not as a fashionable and exclusive feature, only as a cheap finish usually on common brickwork or laths fixed to studding. It did not require a tradesman, only someone who could rough render and than stand back and throw lots of small stones from a bucket with a trowel at the wet render. Very untrendy today.