How do you put a Spanish lace finish on a ceiling?

Buy a tub of mud (jointing compound), one of those scrunched up nets shaped in a ball that people use in the shower and a plaster knife about six inches wide that is reasonably stiff.

To start with make sure the surface you are lacing is sound and have a bucket of water to hand in order keep your tools and net usable and to wash your hands now and then. This is going to be messy.

Dunk the net into the mud and then dab it on the surface so the mud is left in peaks. Continue to dunk and dab until you have done an area of about 2-3 sq ft until you are used to doing it. Then, take the knife and in an arcing motion drag it over the muddy peaks. Try different pressures to see the different effect. Also, the more mud you put on the surface means a different effect. You can make it look fine or heavy. At the edges, hold the knife forty five degrees against the adjacent surface to keep the mud where you want it.

You can paint however you like but the net can also be used for a sponge type effect using several colours.