Murals Add Signifcance

A few months back I was rummaging through some books at my grandparents house.  I ran across a Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book from 1961.  What a treasure it is!  While trends have changed, the basic concepts found in this 400 page book stand the test of time.

One of the suggestions given was using murals to dress up a space.  It is a misconception that murals are meant only for children's rooms.  Some of the most elegant dining rooms I have been in contained a hand-painted wall mural depicting a hunt scene.  Think about restaurants that use murals to create ambiance.  O'Charley's is painted with items of local significance, Logan's mural places you in a saloon.

One of my clients wanted to create a Tuscan feel in her kitchen.  She had a blank wall that screamed out for attention.  I painted a stone niche with various elements in it to evoke that Tuscan feel she desired.  Most recently I was in a workout facility that has a wall mural of a canyon.  It served as scenery to let those using the facility feel less contained.

All of the examples I shared were spaces used mostly by adults. Wall paintings don't have to be cartoonish.  When used appropriately, a mural can push out the walls of a room and make the space feel larger.

Life's A Beach

Are the cooler temperatures and rain are getting you down?  Turn your house into the beach!  This bathroom has walls the color of a tranquil ocean.  When you look closer you see shimmering, iridescent jelly fish swimming about.  Capped off with silver and white accents, it's the perfect setting: surrounded by marine life with no danger of being stung.

Quick fixes to drab walls

Some days I just want a change of scenery in my own house, but I'm not ready to re-paint all the walls.  Here are a few quick and gorgeous ways to spruce up a room without giving up a lot of cash and time.

Simple mural to dress up a plain colored wall. A burst of color in the tray ceiling.
 

Decals.  Peel and stick these babies wherever you want them go.  When you tire of them, just remove.  No mess!