| Trompe l'Oeil Mural |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-307 |
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Q: How can I make a trompe l'oeil mural look like it really fits in with the rest of my room and furniture? A: (from Nancy Golden, Ask DIY Decorating Expert) Regardless of what style a mural may be, the key to integrating it into a room is to make sure the background of the surrounding wall has the same look and some of the same values as the mural itself. For example, a mural that features warm, antique-tinged tones like the "cabinet" in figure A should be applied to a wall with a soft, mottled finish that includes colors such as gold and amber. But before you decide on any finish or color for your wall, you'll obviously need to choose your mural! There are a variety of styles and themes available, from seascape themes (figure B) and architectural elements (figure C) to garden scenes and moutainous vistas. Tip: To help your mural "work" with the room, select a theme that fits the look of the furnishings already in the space. Materials: Wallpaper trompe l'oeil mural
Interior paint of the desired color (for background shade on wall)
Glaze in the desired shade(s)
Ragging mitt
Plastic plate
Decorative accessories - To create the right background for the antique cabinet mural, Golden starts with a soft golden cream color to which she adds a two-color glaze. To apply the glaze, she uses a ragging mitt (figure D) to produce a soft, translucent wash of color. (Ragging mitts are sold in art supply stores and craft centers.)
- After dampening the mitt, the next step is to dip it gently into to the two colors of glaze; here, rust and light gold (figure E). This will allow just enough color on the mitt (figure F) to blend into the cream base color for a soft, aged look.
Note: Although glazes are available in most art supply stores and craft centers, you'll want to buy larger, more cost-effective quantities from your paint store if covering a large surface. - Apply the color by pressing the mitt onto the surface in several initial areas (figure G), then continue blotting the mitt over the color to distribute and blend it over most of the surface.
Tip: Before starting on your wall, you may want to paint a large piece of cardboard in the same color to serve as a "practice piece" so you'll end up with the perfect look. Glaze, however, is quite forgiving -- as long as you wipe it off while it's still wet, you can remove entire areas of color and start fresh. - Once your wall has the desired look, allow it to dry, then carefully put up your mural, following the manufacturer's directions. To really make the mural part of the room, try positioning it so that it appears to sit on -- or next to -- real furnishings. Here, Golden "sits" the cabinet on a table, which she measures prior to putting up the mural in order to determine placement.
- For the final touch, arrange smaller accessories around the mural to "pull" it more convincingly into the room. Here, Golden selects an urn with an aged look and several bottles and containers in colors that correspond with those in the mural (figure H).
The final result is a beautiful addition to the room that looks real enough to open and close!
RESOURCES :
Trompe L'Oeil Murals Using Stencils
Model: 1581800282
Author: Melanie Royals
(January, 2001)
F & W Publications Inc. (North Light and Betterway Books, Story Press, Popular Woodworking Books)
Website: www.fwpublications.com
Trompe L'Oeil: Creating Decorative Illusions With Paint
Model: 0891348883
Author: Roberta Gordon-Smith
February 1998
F & W Publications Inc. (North Light and Betterway Books, Story Press, Popular Woodworking Books)
Website: www.fwpublications.com
Trompe L'oeil with Stencils: A Step-by-Step Guide. . .
Model: 0855328711
Author: Lynda Mills
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