Thursday, May 28, 2015

Decorating With Murals And Frescoes.......Elegantly Painted Walls


I simply adore a beautiful hand painted wall whether it be in the form of a mural, fresco, or faux technique. I like the thought of making your wall a piece of fine art and the wonderful muted colors that add an ancient classical appeal.

 Many people ask 'what is the difference between a mural and a fresco?' To the layman, a fresco and mural is the same thing –  artwork done on the wall! But here is a difference.....it is the technique. 

A fresco is a  painting executed upon freshly laid, or wet lime plaster. The painting literally becomes a permanent part of the wall through the process of applying pigments, usually made of ground stone or sand, onto the wet plaster. The colors, which are made by grinding dry-powder pigments in pure water, dry and set with the plaster and become bound to the wall. Although time consuming and messy, the use of raw pigments creates a wonderful texture which looks softer and more translucent than any other paint effect.
The Sistine chapel ceiling, renowned fresco work created by Michelangelo, is the most well known fresco in the world.

The word mural originates from the Latin word murus or "wall". A mural is artwork executed directly on a wall. It is quick to paint and details can be added or removed at any time. The materials are easy to find and relatively cheap. Murals are mostly painted in oils, tempera or polymer colors.Usually it is either applied directly onto the surface, or painted on a canvas which is then fixed or cemented onto the wall. More rarely, a mural is painted onto panels that become part of the wall. 

I have gathered some images of beautiful examples that may help you decide on a style if you are considering hiring a muralist....... but I am not an expert at telling the difference between fresco paintings and murals especially as they appear in pictures. So please, all you experts, these images are for you to enjoy, not for me to be tested on.



Are you thinking of beautifying the wall of your home with some interesting art work?


The first mural designers were prehistoric cavemen who decorated their caves with a wide variety of paintings depicting hunts and other aspects of daily life. It's natural to want decorated walls. I can see my cave now!

The frescoes are by Pietro Longhi (1702-85).Sagredo Palace in Venice.

The fresco technique has been employed since antiquity and is closely associated with Italian Renaissance painting. Roman frescoes were the primary method of interior decoration.

via pinterest....source unknown

Throughout classical antiquity , the Renaissance and Baroque eras and for centuries afterward, fresco was the traditional medium for murals. That said, from the 16th-century onwards, mural painters also used oil on canvas which was then fixed to the wall surface.

source unknown

thebookofsecrets.tumblr.com

Murals were among the most popular types of art in all classical civilizations, including those of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Public murals were also a popular form of early Christian art.



The soft muted colors of classical murals create fabulous backdrops for your antique furnishings.


A mural is any large painting on a wall. However a primary characteristic of a fresco is that the paintings, though often done in parts, are generally related by a common thread that tells a story.

via Pinterest

Make your interiors soar to new heights with a fabulous mural.

classicaladdiction.com

No matter if they are ornate.......

bohemianwornest.tumblr.com

....... or simplistic, a well executed mural ages your interiors.

via Pinterest

Imagine this room without the mural.....now do you see what a difference these fabulous wall treatments make!

Via Pinterest


charlottesullivan.com

While I am all behind small, do it yourself projects, mural painting should be left to the professional (unless you yourself are very artistic). I have seen too many horrible attempts that ruin instead of enhance a space. That being said, a bath is a good place to try your hand at painting a mural. 

Frescoes by Johann Wenzel Bergl, Austria

The word fresco is derived from the Italian word for fresh.
The painting must be completed within an 8 hour time period, and changes cannot be made after completing the task.

via pinterest

Add style to a room and show off special interests with a mural or decorative wall scene.

vivrearia.tumblr.com

The major benefit of frescoes over murals is that it is possible to remove the artwork from the wall or ceiling and convey it to another location – especially if you plan to relocate or remodel your home.

spreadartculture.com

I like the pastoral nature of this mural.........but without the actual nature. No critters allowed.

via Pinterest

 
Mural come in all styles from elegant to a more rustic version like that above in the Chateau de Vallin.


Murals can cover the entire wall or be done in sections or panels.

sothebysrealty.com

Fresco paintings actually become a part of the wall, which makes very old paintings like this in an historic apartment in Venice, Italy, easy to restore in comparison to murals.


Designer Ferragamo's dining room mural portrays Diana and her hunting party.


Framing murals gives your room the look of an art gallery.

linenandlavender.net

The art of fresco largely died out as new colored pigments were developed and the use of canvas became widespread.


The perfect mural for this lovely room. The scene through the window actually becomes part of the painting.

source unknown

A fabulous mural painted on the underside of a beautiful stairway.

via pinterest

I love this mural and wish I knew who to credit it to.

dianeburn.com

A child's room is another lovely place to attempt your own mural painting. Stick to soft themes and muted colors for best results.

Pascal Amblard painting wall mural

There are many qualified muralist for hire today that can create magic in your home.


Every once in a while, a trend emerges but certain classical themes will always be a constant.


Oh what a good mural and faux finished ceiling can do for a small space. Now imagine this bath with just painted walls. It would look so much smaller.


I love this whimsical mural that still keeps it classical and elegant.


I have always thought that walls painted mural style or fresco style warm up a space in a way that nothing else can.


And don't forget the impact of a mural or fresco used on your outdoor entertaining area.  Isn't this glorious?


You might also like my blog featuring primitive colonial murals!

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2014/11/decorate-with-primitive-colonial-murals.html



Click here to see the previous post


This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer

at

Monday, May 18, 2015

Decorating With Bold Floral Rugs



It's spring and floors are in full bloom!

All decorators know that a well-chosen rug will act as an anchor for a room as well as define it's personality. Your furniture and accessories may combine to create a look you desire, but consider your floor a back-drop to the proceedings. Elegant floral rugs bring a breath of fresh spring air to any room, and today's colorful large scale floral rugs will serve as the centerpiece of your room. A trendy bold floral look may be just the thing to brighten up your living room, foyer, or bedroom. So stay on the forefront of home decor by keeping up with the hottest trends in rug design that will make your house a stylish, comfortable home.

An easy and affordable way to quickly change the decor of any room, without buying everything new or rearranging all that you already have, is to add floral rugs. A rug with bold floral elements works well in a room with modern style, a traditional look, or even those rooms that are somewhere in between. No matter your taste or your decorating style, the floral rug is chic, current, and a wonderful element to add to your design. 



It’s important to keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to decorating with florals, other than to keep it balanced by not overdoing it.
goodrich.myshopify.com

Area rugs, when chosen correctly, add just the right touch in finishing any room in your home. Rugs are also a great way to add floral patterns to your space and they are easy to switch out when you want a color change.

houseandgarden.co.uk

If you already have bold walls, using bold patterned area rugs will unite the floor and walls. The look is then pulled together instead of being over powering to the eyes.

If you are daring, consider layering on the floral prints as in the room above. Use a large scale floral rug, cushions with medium to small scale prints, and vintage floral paintings or botanical prints on the walls.


These bold floral rugs look great under a coffee table, at the foot of a bed, at the front door, or even under the sofa. Plus they add just enough color to brighten a room without overwhelming other design elements.

Floral Trail Rug by Knots Rugs, UK

This look goes well with furniture that is more subtle, letting the rug be the true star in a room. If you want a bold floral rug but are alittle apprehensive, keep your furniture neutral and use patterned accents. 

Over-sized floral rugs can be the perfect addition to neutral traditional or white French Country decor.


Bed of Roses rug by DASH & ALBERT RUG COMPANY would look great in any shabby chic style space.


The bold floral rug goes great with a cottage, romantic, or eclectic design style. Remember to bring the colors up, and on to the walls.


Consider a rug covered in large, colorful blooms for the bedroom. Very romantic!

chicprovence.blogspot.com

If you have solid colored walls and curtains, a bold floral rug can become a rich and inviting focal point.

Anthropologie

You can also make a floral statement in retro-modern interiors with the addition of a bold floral area rug. Really there is no style that wouldn't benefit from the addition of one of these colorful rugs.
via pinterest

Floral rugs are a great way to bring color to your Modern Traditional space. Based on the colors you see in your rug, you can find matching or similar color accents to add to your space.


Consider a bold floral area rug if your interiors are Transitional in design. 


For their bold graphic and color these floral rugs would work well in a contemporary, eclectic home.


You can make a floral statement by going abstract or being extra bold. Through the use of bright colors and unusual patterns, Contemporary furnishings come to life.

If you are fortunate to have a blank slate in your room, fall in love with a bold floral rug and design your space around it.

While not for everybody, this multi-layered floral room somehow manages to work and would look fabulous in a Boho style interior.


You can count on the "wow factor" in your room if you choose to use one of today's trendy bold florals on your floor. It's sure to make a design statement and  you the envy of your friends.

jamaicabyles.blogspot.com



A bold floral rug "pops" wherever you lay it........ in the dining room, living room, kitchen, sunroom, porch, or anywhere else!


Consider over-sized floral rugs in soft colors for nurseries and little girls rooms.


For those of you who have dreamed big and floral but been too timid to put your ideas into action remember you can still pull off this look with more muted colors.

homedesignlover.com




Click here to see the previous post


This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer

at