Design enthusiasts with big ideas to adorn their spaces with the personality and artistry they desire, murals are set to become the ultimate decor statement. In tendencies toward maximalism, interior designers are bucking against traditional wallpaper decals in favor of the appeal of bespoke murals.
Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors says, “It is almost like a tattoo.” “I really like the idea of creativity and colour in a space.”
This vision of living in a Manhattan pied-à-terre, of creating a serene retreat once a primary bedroom, was recently brought to life by Portnof for a client who may never stand under a waterfall but dreams for their Manhattan pied-à-terre. Three walls were decorated by the tropical oasis Patrice Yourdon created her ambience was completed by aquamarine accents and a mirrored wardrobe.
Murals: A Functional Art Form
Fortunately, Rebecca Amir is a designer who proves that murals can be scaled for functionality for those not ready to make a statement with floor-to-ceiling artwork. In 2024, at Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse this year, Amir teamed up with artist Robert Christian to make a fresco using oversized closet doors on a children’s bedroom. Built like eye candy, but both aesthetically and functionally, the mural managed, combining vintage Block Island postcards as a source of inspiration, but eye-catching space became useful.
Amir: Instead of painting the door frames ‘the same colour as the walls’ and masking them, I wanted to make them a feature.
A Tradition Reimagined
Mural painting is a long tradition stretching back tens of thousands of years into ancient cave paintings of animals. Early wall paintings were used to tell stories and bring joy, says decorative artist Tess Newall; a tradition that has lasted for centuries. 20th century includes iconoclastic walls at Villa Santo Sospir by Jean Cocteau (or rather his artist wife), the Bloomsbury Group at Charleston Farmhouse, and many more.
Murals are being reimagined to fit modern homes as tangible personal counterpoint to a more and more automated world. “Bay Area decorative artist Caroline Lizarraga says our clients want something unique.” “A.I. driven world, just having exactly what they want, as something created exclusively for them, is becoming more important.”
The Mural Process: Craft meets creativity
Creating a custom mural is not something you do quickly. Lizarraga likens the process to crafting a couture dress:
- Conceptualization: When presenting ideas, designers consider the space’s location, natural light, and desired mood.
- Sampling: Artists often make smaller renderings or samples to confirm that the design will ‘work’ within the space.
- Execution: Transferring the mural onto the walls can take weeks or even months, depending on the precision of the mural’s design.
There is a price for this level of detail. Lizarraga’s murals cost $40 to $250 per square foot and are best suited as an investment for the bedroom, powder room, or even an entryway.
Making It Your Own
‘If you are going to get a mural, it should be dictated by the architecture,’ says designers. “Art Deco walls combined with Gothic architecture, ‘you do not want to do.’”
Landscapes, linear patterns, or whimsical frescoes can be used. Newall adds a playful touch to shades, borders, frames, or even cabinet spaces to heighten the room without overdoing it.
All murals are about joy and self-expression. “The idea was that it should not be boring but something that brings a little colour, creativity, a little joy.”
The Enduring Appeal of Murals
Murals homage to the skill it takes to create something lasting in a generation of instant gratification. Their permanence and personal touch are a prime choice for those looking to bring beauty and memory to a space. Lizarraga calls them ‘the antithesis of our automated future,’ of the human hand in design.
Sophia Walker is a fashion journalist who reports on the latest trends, events, and industry news, keeping readers informed about the dynamic world of fashion.
