This Wall Mural Helped Transform an Old Barn Into a Lake House Escape

Taylor Mead
Updated
Photo credit: Chip Wade/Wade Works
Photo credit: Chip Wade/Wade Works

From House Beautiful

OK, I know what you're probably thinking: You want me to paint my own mural? And I get it. It seems like an impossible task, unless you're a professional artist, but breaking it down and actually seeing what it takes to DIY from start to finish will make the intimidation melt away. In fact, you'll actually look forward to tackling it yourself. Maybe even this weekend.

Photo credit: House Beautiful
Photo credit: House Beautiful

HGTV's Chip Wade of Wade Works will be the first to tell you that a well-placed mural can totally transform the look of your home. And he's speaking from experience, having recently painted the above canoe mural on an exterior wall at his Misty Mill lake house.

Before jumping right in, though, Chip says, "You have to know your painting skill level and the amount of time you have to complete the project." When picking a design for the mural, here's what Chip wants you to consider the following:

  • Choose high contrast, simple graphics. They'll show up the best, particularly if the final mural is to be viewed from a distance of 20 feet or more.

  • It will take you about one day to complete every 10 square feet (or so) of the mural.

  • Pick a solid, smooth, and primed surface to ensure your design lasts.

  • Use painters tape, spend a little more on quality brushes, and fill in from the edges, painting inwards, to get the best results.

Now that you're prepped, you're ready to get right to it.

What You'll Need:

  • Painters tape

  • Projector

  • Large paint brushes

  • Rollers

  • Small artist brushes

  • Work lights

  • Sherwin-Williams Bond-Plex Waterbased Coating (2 gallons)

    • Low sheen

    • Extra white base

  • Sherwin-Williams High Quality Emerald Exterior Latex Semi paints

Instructions:

Step 1: Come up with your design.

Step 2: Project your design onto the wall at night.

TIP: If you don't have a projector (or don't want to buy one), you can rent one!

Step 3: Trace the projected design onto the wall.

Step 4: If you're painting onto metal, apply 2 coats of Sherwin-Williams' Bond-Plex protective coating. If not, use a regular paint primer.

Step 5: Once dry, fill in the design using Sherwin-Williams Emerald exterior latex paint.

Step 6: Project the design again, so you can paint in the details.

For even more renovation inspo, visit MistyMill.com.

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