Painted ornamentation can be designed with a period-specific historical emphasis, or an artist might choose to re-interpret a pattern or motif, with a modern sensibility, making the design current and relevant.

Sometimes ornamentation employs trompe l'oeil painting techniques, so that the interplay of light and shadow creates what looks like three-dimensional architectural details.

What is important is that the design relates to the architecture and that it lends itself to crafting a personal space.