About 15 years ago I was asked if I would decorate a friend’s daughter’s bedroom; with some hand painted wall murals.
It was years before the advent of wall decals and vinyl stickers. But my friend wanted something fun and pretty to break up the vast expanse of magnolia.
The room was a bit of an odd shape — it had an alcove with a sloping roof; but I thought this would lend itself well to creating something really lovely.
Now, I was obsessed with Enid Blyton books when I was a child; and particularly loved The Magic Faraway Tree.
I loved the idea of creating a cosy space; so the little girl could lie in her bed and pretend she was in an enchanted forest.
As her bed fit really well in the alcove, I imagined a tree’s branches surrounding the bed; almost giving her the feeling that she was sleeping in a tree house.
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Creating Hand Painted Wall Murals
Decorating childrens rooms is so much fun. I think you can get away with being so much more creative and playful; han you would do anywhere else in the home.
I started off by painting the alcove in hot pink emulsion. Then waited for it to dry then started on the tree design.
Most of my work is created on the Mac or the Cricut these days; but I still love drawing by hand occasionally.
So I drew the tree freehand — with a white pencil — then filled in the lines with white paint.
How to Create Childrens Wall Murals
Next came the foliage. I’d made a leaf shaped stencil and began to add leaves to the branches. Using a gorgeous, zingy lime coloured emulsion; building them up one by one.
After they’d dried, I painted over a few of them with a glitter glaze. Then added some small white stars and some large powder blue flowers, again in emulsion.
I’d found some brilliant shiny, self adhesive mirror flowers online, which were perfect for popping in the middle of each larger painted flower and dotting around the tree to give it a bit of sparkle and life.
And finally, I’d bought a butterfly garland and cut each little butterfly loose, to glue around the tree.
Adding a few 3D elements, to a mural, is a great way of really bringing it to life. Plus it gives the design a totally unique feel.
Also by adding a little glitter and sparkle — to catch the light — will make something that would otherwise be flat and dull, gorgeous and ethereal.
Adding Fairy Lights To Hand Painted Murals
Adding fairy lights to hand painted wall murals, when you’re decorating childrens bedrooms is a fantastic way to add even more interest.
Plus they act as a built in nightlight too.
I attached fairy lights around the trunk and branches of the tree with the help of some clear, self adhesive hooks.
When they were switched off, you could barely see them but when they were on they looked amazing! They glinted off the glitter glaze and twinkled off the tiny mirror flowers.
All of a sudden our plain old wall had turned into something really magical!
I also painted a couple of freehand butterflies and leaves to the wall leading into the room.
The Finished Wall Mural
Finally, once the bed was back in place, and I’d touched up a couple of areas, it was finished.
It was so simple to do — and cheap too. We used a small can of paint for the hot pink wall; but the white, lime and blue emulsion were all tester pots.
It took just a day to create this. The longest time we had to wait was 40 minutes or so for the pink background pain. Then the same again for the body of the tree.
Everything else was fairly instant! I used a glue gun to stick the fabric butterflies to the wall and the mirror flowers were self adhesive.
Needless to say, my little friend was pretty happy with her new space. As was I.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Oh you put me to shame!!! 4 months later and I am still working on the girls room. I have done nothing since putting the bunk beds. This looks amazing. My girls would love a room like this. Can you come and do their room please? ;-) #HomeEtc
Haha!! You weren’t the only one to ask!! I had lots of people queuing up when I first did it… once was enough though!!! ;) Do it — your girls will love you for it!! It’s easy, I promise!! xx
that is stunning. I love the way you did the tree in the corner so it grows around the space and the lights are soo cute. My daughter would love a wall like that in her bedroom
Thanks so much Shelley :)
Gorgeous, I did very similar for Grayson’s first nursery 7 years ago, I have never actually blogged it, maybe I shall xxx
Yes — you SHOULD!! I wasn’t blogging when I did Amelia’s room — but took loads of photos of the process! So nice to be able to turn them into a blog post, all those years later! :)
Absolutely STUNNING. Those alcove spaces are so difficult to decorate but I think you’ve done a fabulous job. Love how it looks like the trunk is coming out of the skirting board. Amazing!
#HomeEtc
Thanks lovely!! I LOVE those alcove spaces!! Much easier to get creative and try to do something to fit the space, than work with a square wall :)
WOW! that is truly amazing! WOW … just WOW #HomeEtc xx
Aaah thanks so much Emma! :)
Wow! what a lucky little girl! She must have been soooo happy with this. I love the idea of lights on the wall. Thank you for sharing.
She was pretty chuffed! Amazing to think that she was 6 when I did that and she’s 11 now!!!! How time flies! xx
What a beautiful wall! That really is quite special, I bet your friends daughter was delighted with it! I cant believe how talented you are, and this was how many years ago?! So, so so impressed :-) Emily #HomeEtc
Aah thanks so much lovely! It’s so weird — I wan’t even blogging when I did it — but took loads of pictures!!! I think I was a blogger in training! So nice to be able to share them now :)
Caro, that it just amazing. What a beautiful design and how clever are you! I also loved the Magic Faraway Tree and I can imagine Moon Face beaming away when he sees this (along with a very proud and excited owner.) Really lovely. #Homeetc
Aaah those books were so magical weren’t they? All this talk is making me want to go back and revisit them!!!
You are a very talented lady, this is simply beautiful. The twinkly lights really make it truly magical – every little girl’s dream decor! #HomeEtc
Aaah thanks lovely!! I must admit, I’d have LOVED one when I was a little girl!!!
Wow, just wow! I love this & my daughter would adore this in her room. We’re about to start decorating the outside of the shed at the bottom of our garden. My husband & daughter want a night theme with an owl sitting on a branch of a tree. I might employ some of the techniques you’ve used here. Great post! #HomeEtc
It’s so funny — I did it well before vinyl decals became a thing and these days you can buy really similar designs! SO easy to paint it though — and mush more fun! ;)