Transforming Spaces Through Murals and Colour

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love a before and after. They are just so satisfying to look at because you can properly see how different something looks and the difference it can make.

When I’m painting murals, it’s easy to get lost in the process and not step back and actually look at what you’ve achieved. So when I go back through my photos or I get to visit a mural again, I get to take a moment and see it with fresh new eyes and think, wow, that is sooo cool that I’ve been able to change something so drastically and make something for people to enjoy!

When you see these before and afters it’s an opportunity to really see how amazing colour and shape can be in murals. Something as simple as putting a few shapes on a wall can make such a big impact on a space. It’s the use of different shades of colours that really work together to create something exciting for your eyes to focus on.

Harris Primary School, East Dulwich

I hadn’t realised just how sad this wall was looking at Harris Primary School in East Dulwich until I looked at the before pic. It really shocked me at how different the wall was now and just how much of a positive impact the new mural has had on the kids, teachers and parents and how they interact with the space now. Their playground is very small and is always in use, which means that they needed a mural that reflected the use of the space and be a beacon of happiness, as you can see it from all the way down the road.

Meta, Kings Cross

The Meta head office wanted to give their clients an impactful and welcoming area as soon as they stepped out of the lift area, and that’s definitely what they got! It was a sad white wall before and the lift area had no life and looked like every other floor. The design is a celebration of childhood and the joys of being in a playground, which is reflected by the bright colours and movement in the design.

It is now a destination area and acts as a welcoming space to show their products to new clients.

Arbeit Studios, Blackhorse Road

This artist studio is in an industrial estate, surrounded by office blocks and warehouses. It’s a beautiful 1920s building but has been lost amongst its drab surroundings and shabby look. But with a few blocks of colour, it is now the most joyful building in the area. The artists who use the studios are grateful to have this colourful greeting every day. It now stands out and is feels like it should have always looked like this! It is now a reflection of all the creativity that happens inside.

Private Client, Muswell Hill

Most people have sheds in their gardens. They’re practical, they are usually filled with junk and they’re usually very boring colours. Well, that doesn’t have to be the case! They can be practical and exciting! They can be that pop of colour at the end of your garden that you look at while you’re making a cup of tea.

I had the pleasure of turning Tala’s shed into a piece of artwork and give her happy vibes while she looked out of her kitchen window. Sheds don’t have to be boring, they can be amazing!

Chestnuts Primary School, Haringey

Playgrounds are such an important part of a school as it’s where kids spend their breaks having fun running around and playing with their friends. They should be stimulating environments and should be there to invigorate their pupils. This mural design took ideas from a collage workshop I ran with the kids and I tried to incorporate elements of their collages so that the kids would have ownership over the project.

You can see the mural from all across the school and it means the kids can see the happy colours all the time! It gives their school an identity of being an exciting and welcoming school.

Private Home, North London

When I get the chance to paint someone’s home it makes me sooo happy that someone wants to have a bespoke mural in their home. When I was approached by Steve to create a mural in his grandsons bedroom, I was delighted, as I’d already painted his grandsons room in his daughters home. It made me really happy that they loved it enough that they wanted to make this room cosy and colourful. It had to suit 3 boys of different ages, so I wanted to make it relevant to all 3 of them throughout their various stages of growing up.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these transformations take shape as much as I have enjoyed designing and painting them. It’s always fun for me to see how a drawing can come to life and create a real life, in your face piece of art!

With just a few colours, some imagination, you can completely change the atmosphere of space and make it feel unique, exciting and a piece of art that just keeps on giving!