Utilize Murals and Stenciling to Upgrade Your Spaces

Each interior design project offers you a unique opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind space for your client. There are a wide variety of painting techniques that you can use to elevate interior design ideas into projects that will stand the test of time. Two of our favorite techniques are murals and stenciling. Both of these will add visual interest and provide a creative approach to interior design.

Murals A mural is a fantastic way to brighten and add to any room. Creating a mural isn't difficult if you prepare the walls properly for paint and take the time to create depth and contrast in your mural. There are five main techniques used in creating a painted mural:

• Antiquing Antiquing is a technique used to make a wall mural appear aged. Once the mural is finished you can apply a mixture of four parts acrylic glazing medium with one part paint (typically sienna or umber). Quickly wipe the walls with cheesecloth or a clean cloth to spread it around and even it out. Once it dries you can even reapply to add a darker color to the corners and edges.
• Glazing If you're hoping to add dimension and well-placed shading to your mural, consider glazing the walls. The glaze thins the paint and makes it more translucent, allowing the underneath colors to still shine through.
• Sponging Parts of your mural will likely call for depth and texture and sponging is the perfect way to create this intended look. It is also ideal for adding color to large sections of the mural while avoiding a flat look. Make sure when you are applying the paint that the sponge isn't overly wet and that you are using just enough color to create the intended effect.
• Stenciling While creating your mural you may decide that you want to stencil a section for precision. Stencils come in all shapes and sizes and are a simple way to enhance your design. Stenciling can also be used to outline a shape which you can then fill in with paint later in the mural process.
• Stippling This technique utilizes an undercolor and a second color on top. After you add the second color you then use a stippling brush to dab the color and blend. Stippling changes the texture and look of the top color and allows some of the undercolor to show through.

Stenciling Another one of our favorite interior design ideas to use while painting is stenciling. Many design professionals use stenciling on their clients' projects to add a creative touch to their homes.

• All-over wall stencil A large wall without any breaks for doors or windows is an ideal location for an all-over wall stencil. Search for large scale stencils, such as a birch forest or lattice work, that cover the entire wall in your intended design.
• Panel stencil If your clients aren't ready to commit to an all-over wall stencil, a panel stencil may be the ideal alternative. This is a hot trend right now for interior design ideas because it offers a perfect balance for nearly any space. You can utilize any size panel and can even continue a single stencil across several panels.
• Ceiling stencil A room's ceiling is often a blank canvas perfect for stenciling. To make a ceiling mural stand out in a client's home, choose colors that align with the overall palette but draw the eye upward. Ceiling stencils are beautiful in combination with ceiling medallions or ceiling panels.
• Border stencil Perfect for a kitchen soffit or bathroom, a border brings the beauty of a stencil to a room without it feeling overwhelming. When creating a border stencil, stick to just one or two colors to make sure the design remains clear and consistent.
• Featured stencil Using a stencil as the featured part of your client's room design will add visual interest and can help a room's design shine. Consider bold stencils such as graphic patterns, geometric shapes, or branches and leaves. Carefully position the stencil on walls that attract attention and receive plenty of natural light.

Our team at Dunn-Edwards is committed to bringing you interesting interior design ideas that may be the perfect fit for your next project. Visit us online to learn more about what sets Dunn-Edwards apart.