How to Texture a Ceiling by Hand - eHow.com: "Tips from eHow Users:
For 'old world' look... by Noel B.
My wife and I had great success after removing 'popcorn' ceiling from our house. Our 'look' was 'old world/ Mission' and we added a little 30 mesh sand to watered down compound, then used 10' knives to texture. Add as little, or as much, sand as you feel to adjust 'graininess.'"