Mural Monday - Bringing Wonderland Home

Ana Gabriela
18 hours ago
4 min read

Transforming a Forever Home Through Custom Residential Murals

Some mural projects are exciting because of scale. Some because of creative freedom. And some because they feel like stepping directly into someone’s imagination.

This project was all of that and more.

In 2024, I was contacted by a wonderful couple who had found my work through Google after dreaming about adding murals to their home for quite some time. As proud maximalists and passionate art lovers, they had recently found their forever home and wanted to ensure it was not simply a beautiful place to live, but a deeply personal reflection of who they were.

From our very first meeting, I knew this project was going to be extraordinary.

A French Cottage Dream Home Full of Personality

When I arrived for the site visit, they welcomed me into their stunning French cottage-inspired home.

Every room was layered with thoughtful design, rich colors, collected decor, and clear artistic intention. As they walked me through the house, it became immediately obvious that this family did not just appreciate art. They lived it.

Their home already carried so much charm, but they wanted something more.

They wanted immersive spaces that would transform key areas of their home into true extensions of themselves.

Then they showed me the spaces.

A Ceiling Mural Designed to Elevate the Dining Room

The first mural location was their dining room.

But not the walls.

The ceiling.

Above their dining table, they envisioned a hand-painted ceiling mural that would create drama, elegance, and a truly elevated visual experience.

This was not just about decoration. It was about transformation. They wanted the room to feel immersive, artistic, and unforgettable.

I was immediately obsessed with the concept.

Ceiling murals have a unique kind of magic. They pull the eye upward, expand the emotional experience of a room, and create an atmosphere that feels custom in the deepest sense.

They are also physically brutal.

But more on that soon.

A Butler Pantry Turned Whimsical Writing Nook

As if the ceiling mural was not already enough of a dream project, they then shared their second vision.

Their butler pantry.

My client dreamed of transforming this space into a whimsical personal writing nook.

She wanted it to feel connected to the elegance of the dining room mural, but with even more fantasy and storytelling woven in.

She wanted nods to Alice in Wonderland.

At that point, I was fully sold.

We began designing a mural that would feel imaginative, immersive, and magical while still blending cohesively with the larger aesthetic of their home.

This became one of the most creatively fulfilling residential projects I’ve ever had the honor of painting.

Problem Solving the Ceiling

Once contracts were signed and the project officially began, I had one major logistical question to solve:

How was I going to paint a ceiling for weeks without completely

destroying my neck and back?

I knew traditional ladder work would not be sustainable for this level of detail. So I took inspiration from some of the great muralists before me and decided to invest in scaffolding.

My plan was to create a system where I could lay on my back while painting overhead.

At first, it was a rough setup. But as the project progressed, I refined it.

My incredibly thoughtful client even purchased me a thick sleeping pad along with an angled pillow so I could work more comfortably while lying on the scaffolding.

And honestly?

It became a pretty amazing system.

Not perfect, because ceiling murals are never truly comfortable, but significantly more sustainable than I initially imagined.

Painting Process

I started with the ceiling mural first, knowing it would be the most physically demanding part of the project.

While sections dried, I would move into the butler pantry and continue work on the second mural.

This rhythm created an ideal workflow:

Paint the ceiling
Let it dry
Move to pantry
Let that dry
Spend time with my clients’ adorable dogs and cats
Repeat

Honestly, it was one of the most enjoyable client environments I’ve ever worked in. The process took several weeks, and by the end, we were cutting it close to Christmas.

But we made it.

The Final Result

When everything was complete, the transformation was breathtaking.

The dining room ceiling became an elegant, dramatic focal point that elevated the entire home.

The writing nook became a whimsical escape filled with literary magic and wonder.

Together, the murals did exactly what my clients had hoped.

They transformed their forever home into a deeply personal artistic sanctuary.

What This Project Taught Me

This mural project taught me so much.

First and foremost, ceiling murals are absolutely no joke.

They require:

Technical problem solving
Physical endurance
Adaptability
True dedication to craft

There were definitely moments when the process was uncomfortable and physically exhausting.

But it also reinforced that some of the most meaningful artistic outcomes require pushing beyond comfort.

This project also reminded me how powerful residential murals can be. When clients trust you to create deeply personal art inside the home they plan to grow old in, that trust is extraordinary.

You are not just painting walls.

You are shaping the emotional landscape of someone’s everyday life.

And finally, this project reinforced how important ideal clients truly are. Working with people who deeply value art, trust your vision, and care about the creative process makes all the difference.

This was not just a mural project.

It was a dream collaboration.