Do you ever wish among the general chaos of home that you could walk along the streets of Paris, or sip a cup of coffee in a Tuscan country side?
By incorporating a mural and or trompe l’oeil (trick the eye) painting into your space you can do just that and also add visual interest to otherwise blank walls.
And they are not just for big homes either. While murals are wonderful pieces of art on a grand scale, when used in a much smaller room, they can give the illusion of it being much larger than it is by adding more visual interest and breaking the blandness and monotony of four plain walls.
in adding in the elements of a mural no matter how small, the mind can wander; either immersed in the art of another place or even another time, opening up both the room and our imagination. A soccer field, crumbling castle wall, or even the illusion of a brick wall can change the space from closed in to boundless.
And what are some mural elements that can open up a space and make it seem less ordinary?
Gardens or fields: If a huge forest scene feels overwhelming, even a small bird or butterfly against a blue background can evoke a feeling reminiscent of happiness and the outdoors.
A sky or night sky line: when sitting outside on a clear day, the clouds can be wispy and endless and the night sky seem airy and vast. Using this element of nature in a nursery or even a dining room ceiling can not only give the illusion of height and openness, but blue and white can also be calming, relaxing and serene.
A faux window: Put a window where there isn’t one. Open up the inside to the outside, especially if the room has no windows.
faux painted brick, stone or another similar texture. While they aren’t known for their openness; the interest in texture can keep the mind from noticing it’s in a smaller space. It can go from four white walls to some place quaint and cozy.
A Faux doorway: “Open” a door to other rooms or even a balcony to the ocean, French country side or a Tuscan street scene.
A few tips when hiring a mural artist are:
* if it’s a job you feel is too big to handle yourself, hire a reputable artist by word of mouth who is insured and licensed.
*Be sure to see a full portfolio
*Get an upfront quote for time and money. Most artist know the general speed a which they work and can at least give a ballpark figure. It is not unusual for a single, detailed, full wall mural to average 10 hours or more.
*Ask if supplies are figured in the gross total. While labor is normally the bulk of the cost; they can add onto the bottom line. A Mural artists hourly rate can vary between $35 to $150 and hour. Some artists charge by the square foot.
*if you are on a budget, you can check out local colleges, art academy’s or even the high school art department. There are many talented non-professional artist looking to make a few extra dollars here and there. You can also check on-line stencil companies if you think you want to try it yourself. Wall to wall stencils.com is one resource.
*Get an artist who has a style that clicks with yours. You can ask for a sample board or sketch to see if you are on the same page.
*Most importantly, be creative and have something done you love no matter how crazy it is.
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