Transform a Room with Hand-Painted Wall Murals
A brief history of wall murals and loads of gorgeous modern day examples
I can buy myself flowers… But I can also paint them on the wall! And some people do… I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed lately more and more painted wall murals so I’m dedicating this feature here on them today — their past and present - along with a few examples to uplift and inspire you to give it a try at home.
First, a little about the history of wall murals. Painted wall murals and motifs by hand dates back to ancient times when the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans adorned their walls with intricate paintings. The modern resurgence of painted wall murals can be traced back to the Renaissance period in Europe, where artists like Michelangelo and Raphael transformed ceilings and walls of churches, palaces, and public buildings with stunning frescoes and murals. We all know the Creation of Adam painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
In the early 1920’s, wall murals experienced a revival with the rise of various art movements such as Mexican Muralism, led by artists like Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros in Mexico. These artists used murals as a means of social and political expression, depicting scenes of everyday life, historical events, and cultural heritage. They were not happy with the states of affairs, the Mexican revolution, and how society around them was changing. They decided to use art as a strong tool to communicate that.
In the contemporary art world of today, wall murals with paint have become a popular form of public art, often commissioned by cities, businesses, and communities to beautify urban spaces and convey messages of cultural diversity, environmental awareness, and social justice.
Street artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey have gained international acclaim for their large-scale murals, which often challenge societal norms and provoke thought.
Murals, which can sometimes include large-scale outdoor work referred to as street art, inspire spaces with stories, color, patterns and often cultural motifs. Graffiti can be part of that - though it is usually unsanctioned and is often perceived as either rebelliousness or vandalism, though if commissioned, it is also part of this category of art.
Wall murals are a big part of the world of interior design, too. Interior murals though are much less about political statements and social problems and more about making a home or public space feel a certain way. To create a mood, an environement. For instance, large leaves bring nature in and create a jungle vibe. Oversized floral motifs add color and vibrancy. Animals calm and relax. Abstract motifs can be playful or play with scale and proportion in the room overall (for instance, visually making the room feel wider, higher or smaller).
German artist Lena Petersen paints on walls all over the world - from cafes to offices, fairs, galleries and private homes. This is Lena with me below at my trend exhibition for Domotex this past January shown below. We commissioned her to paint live for my exhibit over the course of 4 days.
Lena Petersen (left) and Holly Becker (right). Photo by Photographer Jan Hinkes. Mural by Artist Lena Petersen.
Custom murals by Abel Macias Studio. Top: Proper Hotel, LA. Bottom: Faherty Brand, Malibu, California.
Hand-painted wall murals continue to evolve since many artists are experimenting with new techniques, materials, and themes to create visually stunning and thought-provoking works that engage and inspire. You can see them in cafes, restaurants, hospital corridors, and inside of shops and other public spaces like libraries and offices.
Now that I’ve explained a bit about the history of wall murals, let’s look at some examples of how we can bring hand-painted motifs to our walls at home - even into a staircase or on a ceiling - you don’t need to paint an entire wall, you could hand-paint a headboard above the bed or paint around the trim of your door. Think of your home and where you could try your creative hand at something new. You can practive first with paper until you feel more confident.
Turkish mosque by Miguel Flores-Vianna / Walter Anderson museum of art in Mississippi with photo by Kristen Karch / French artist Nathalie Lete
Oaxaca Hotel Pug Seal by painter Rafael Uriegas / French artist Nathalie Lete / Arch Digest / Oaxaca Hotel Pug Seal by painter Rafael Uriegas
French artist Nathalie Lete
Avlana / Oaxaca Hotel Pug Seal by painter Rafael Uriegas / Home of British Artist Anne Jacobs inspired by Swedish artist Linnea Andersson / French artist Nathalie Lete
Home of British Artist Anne Jacobs - Her website is lovely and filled with things created from her own paintings.
Na Toca Design by Andre Nazareth / Archilovers by Florian Touzet / Natalie Lete / Custom mural by Abel Macias Studio.
Hand-painted walls by Sarah Sherman Samuel in a child’s bedroom.
I hope this has inspired you this weekend. Hopefully you are able to be creative this weekend doing something, no matter how small, or how great! Creativity is a wonderful part of each one of us - we are all creative - remember that!
Through every stroke, I find my voice, In every color, I make a choice, for in painting on my walls so grand, I find myself, I understand.
Love,
Holly
Wow, these are incredible! Especially Natalie Lete…totally my vibe. If I could, I’d live in a house full of rooms with murals - my own fairy world!
Absolutely gorgeous selection from such talented artists. Thank you Holly for sharing them. I have just visited the David Parr House Museum in Cambridge. He worked as decorative artist during the Victorian era and his own tiny home was a personal canvas. It’s quite a surreal step back in time. Highly recommend a visit. But you must book a tour in advance.