I know you think you recognize this Tuscan Style Mural… but it is my own morphing of some other art and then I painted it on the actual wall.
The niche over the fireplace is molded in drywall and textured the same as the surrounding walls, as is the mantle.
Getting a ladder up to this area was a problem… the hearth is very wide. And of course a hearth can’t be moved.
So… in order to paint most of this mural, I had to paint while sitting on the mantle and swiveling my body from the hip – up. This means I was was actually painting backwards most of the time.
I balance myself with one foot on a stepladder and my left hand with a death grip on the mantle edge. What I wouldn’t do to get a smile from a homeowner.
The home owner was having a problem finding a piece of art for this area … Problem Solved!
This mural is actually framed with a “fake” frame. I combined a few art pieces to “copy” for this mural. The mural is in the waiting room of a “Day Spa” – where the owner wanted art… but nothing “precious” or expensive.
I used a stencil (used for faux molding) to create the egg and dart style frame. A little highlights and shadows and the frame looks real!
This mural is floor to ceiling in size. This salon wanted a view for their customers.
The urn in the center of the mural was eventually removed. (I didn’t like it either).
Visit My Italian Design Website For More Tuscan Style Decorating Ideas
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Debra,
I was surfing the net for some ideas on Tuscan decor and came across your work. It is absolutely beautiful. I’m a decorative painter and have been planning a similar mural for a wall in my home. I want to make a Tuscan window with a landscape background, surrounded by bricks arched like your fireplace one. You certainly are an inspiration.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Johnson
Hey there Debra:
Those are lovely. Nice nice nice. Don’t forget you were going to do a blow up of the mural you put on your bedroom wall too. Just so everyone could see how nice that one is too.
Linda
beautiful painting and ideas!
have been meaning to send in my photos of my work, will include some later today…you are such an inspiration to all of us, i once had to also work above a fireplace in the afore mentioned position, wow..i thought you were going to say that you spent a day in the spa treating yourself! (hopefully that was part of the package deal!) zanne
hi, you are doing a great job, pls i would like to know if have any practical book on faux painting for beginners. thanks, from Simon, Nigeria.