1. To create a wall motif similar to the design pictured here, start at the top of the wall. Practice your design on paper first! Draw the molding on the wall, using the level, straightedge, and pencil to lightly mark lines along the ceiling perimeter, then go over them with the marker. For a more formal look to this molding, we added what appear to be dentils (a series of small rectangular blocks), drawing only two sides instead of three and spacing them slightly apart.

2. Measure all the walls and determine a logical length for a repeat pattern, such as the swags near the ceiling. For instance, if one wall is 9 feet and another is 12 feet, they’ll both accommodate a repeat of 3 feet. Pencil lines to mark the beginning and end of each repeat or swag, then fill in with flourishes.

3. To make the “wallpaper,” create a grid using a level, straightedge, and pencil. Rather than drawing lines, mark points at equal intervals vertically and horizontally. Draw flowers at every other point in each row; stagger the designs in adjacent rows. There may be a little difference between each one, but that makes it more fun.

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