Wallpaper has definitely made a comeback and isn’t going anywhere.
There are so many beautiful wallcoverings out there, from digitally printed images to gilded and beaded or even feathered papers. I often get requests to create a finish that is inspired by a wallpaper but the particular design is not quite right; the color is the wrong shade, the pattern repeat isn’t flattering to the space, or the scale is off. I have a couple examples where I have created customized “wallpaper” where I’ve solved these problems for my clients. Click here, here, and here to see some examples and scroll on to read more!
Customized finish for Laura Hodges Studio in Baltimore, MD
How can you get the perfect design for you?
Lets say you have found what looks to be the perfect wallpaper to create a feature wall for your client’s project. The wall in question is 22 feet tall and the paper only comes in 12 foot lengths…what to do? You call the manufacturer and they say that they can produce a custom length for you but its way out of your client’s budget. This is exactly what happened with my project for Christie Leu Interiors in north Ocean City, Maryland.
I was able to create a textural finish for the space that tied together the colors perfectly and using the paper as inspiration, adjusting the design to the scale of the wall. The result is a beautiful watery landscape perfect for a beach retreat.
It was even featured in Home and Design Magazine, and is a featured finish in Golden Paintwork’s Limited Edition Series.
Customized finish for Christie Leu Interiors in Ocean City, Maryland
Customizing your mural wallpaper
Designer Alexa Ralff of AHR Design in New Jersey had a client that had a tiny powder room off the foyer in their home in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Washington, DC and fell in love with a funky chinoiserie style wallpaper. Due to all of the angles and niches in the space, the design of the wallpaper would be cut off in areas and would be too tall.
I was asked to use the wallpaper as inspiration, and to add unique touches that the clients requested including a “Smurf” hidden among the grass- a nod to the family’s previous home in Brussels, Belgium.
I measured out each wall surface and created templates to sketch in the composition, making sure the design fit and flowed naturally. You can see a reel of the process on my instagram. This is one of my favorite projects as I tailored the design exactly to the space and was given a lot of creative freedom.
But is it Practical?
When thinking about commissioning a wallpaper mural, there are some practical benefits to using canvas. Canvas is much more durable than wallpaper and it will withstand the conditions of high traffic areas and humid conditions such as bathrooms. I finish my canvasses with a varnish that enables it to be lightly cleaned, and if you decide to take down the canvas it can be saved and reapplied in a new setting.
Customized canvas wallpaper in a master bath in Catonsville, Maryland for Laura Hodges Studio
Inspiration
Want to learn how?
If you are an artist and would like to learn how to create your own murals on canvas, purchase our ebook. I’ve included resources and tips on how to make the process go smoothly.
Nursery Ceiling Mural created for Hall & Co. Pikesville, Maryland
Want to commission your own canvas wallpaper?
We love creating wallpaper murals and can ship them all over the country! Contact us with your ideas and lets get started!