Mid-Century Mural Brightens This Founder’s Muted Kitchen
05/15/2019 | specs+spaces staff |
When Sam Klein, founder of vintage clothing marketplace Whurl, looked at her kitchen she knew she didn’t love what she saw — an ugly gray blob. It certainly didn’t match her personality, anyway. In fact, Klein’s trademark is her wonderfully whimsical, colorful Mid-century aesthetic.
kitchen before
While Klein didn’t have the resources to completely overhaul her uninspiring kitchen, she was moved to make a change. “I started brainstorming ways to update it in a small way that would help me to see my kitchen as more than just an ugly gray blob,” she stated. The change Klein landed on was a mural.
For the mural, Klein worked with LA-based painting duo Beautification Solutions. The choice of artists to bring her kitchen vision to life with Dunn-Edwards Paints was a no-brainer. “I've loved [Beautification Solutions’] work at local retailer Big Bud Press and all of the signs they've painted around L.A.,” she noted.
Klein did the prep ahead of time by removing wallpaper, and sanding and painting the wall
white . This allowed Katie Vonderheide of Beautification Solutions to get right to painting.
The process of choosing the specific design started with Klein sending Beautification Solutions a number of print options. They ranged from prints of vintage dresses, to vintage wallpaper photos Klein has bookmarked over the years, and Beautification Solutions narrowed down the final design. When it came to the color palette for the mural, Klein was ahead of the game. “I had already gone into Dunn-Edwards to pick colors, and I sent over the swatch cards to incorporate them into the design,” stated Klein.
Klein’s Color Palette
Prepping for the project included Klein removing pre-existing wallpaper, sanding and priming the wall with white to provide a blank canvas.
Once the project was completed, Klein says the feeling and ambiance in the kitchen changed completely. “I love it so much more now! It’s also inspired me to think of inexpensive ways to fix [the kitchen] up,” she stated. Especially when it comes to accessorizing the space. Klein hung vintage oven mitts and added additional pops of color with a pink dutch oven and a mint green kettle for her stove top.
Never underestimate the power of details. The giant flowers and bright yet earthy, warm colors perfectly encapsulate Klein and her vintage Whurl aesthetic. “I think the mural just screams me!”
Whether you’re making small improvements or completely overhauling your kitchen, a fresh coat of paint can often make all the difference, or in Klein’s case, a fresh mural can.
Photos courtesy of Sam Klein
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