How to Paint an Oversized Design

Using pale chalk dust, snap vertical and horizontal chalk lines on the walls at 12-inch intervals. Then draw a grid of 1-inch squares on the traced pattern. Use chalk to transfer the design, now 12 times larger, square by square onto the walls. Step back and make sure the design connects gracefully. Allow it to bump up against windows, ceiling, and doors – that's part of the charm.

NOTE: The proportions are up to you. If you transfer a one-inch square of template to a one-foot square on the wall, you will enlarge the pattern 12 times. You can play with the ratio to get the effect you want.