How Wall Décor Can Transform Your Living Space – Part 2

Posted on Jul 4th, 2020

by Monisha

Categories:

Architecture & Décor

WALLS DO BREATHE;
LET THEM SPEAK BACK TO YOU

How décor can bring a sense of calmness to your space is what we are going to explore in this article.

Every house built with natural elements that come from the earth carries a sense of life within it. Bricks made from soil, stones taken from rocks, clay formed from mud and many other natural materials all come together to create the spaces we call home.

So, in its own way, your house does have a life of its own.

In India, many people believe in Vaastu Shanti, which essentially refers to bringing peace and harmony into the home. But not everyone gets to live in a house of their choice. In today’s world, people often find themselves living away from their ideal homes for many different reasons—students moving to other cities for education, married couples working abroad, families renting a home in a new place, and many more.

In such situations, we cannot always change the circumstances. What we can change is how we experience the space we have.

With a little thought, creativity and personal touch, even an ordinary space can be transformed into a place that feels magical, peaceful and truly yours.

MURAL ART SIGNIFYING PROSPERITY & PRODUCTIVITY

It is an art piece that I created entirely by myself, and it took me about a week to complete this display.

I started by painting the entire room, including the ceiling, using Asian Paints. Once that was done, I wanted to continue the nature-inspired theme onto the walls as well. It wasn’t simply because I am obsessed with green or wanted to bring plants into every corner of my home. You will actually see many different forms of art throughout my blog.

For the tree, I used different shades of Asian Paints. The leaves were created by cutting sponges into different leaf shapes and stamping them onto the wall. I drew the bark using artistic paintbrushes to give it a more natural appearance.

The final result was a light grey wall carrying a bright green artwork, creating a simple yet striking contrast.

WHAT DOES THIS MURAL PAINTING MEAN?

This wall painting features Birch Tree art, which, according to Feng Shui, is associated with prosperity and productivity. It is also considered a symbol of good health, wealth and youth, with the ability to bring a sense of freshness and renewal into a space. The Birch Tree is also believed to represent reproduction and new growth.

I loved the concept behind it, so I decided to portray it on my wall in a way that suited the purpose of the space.

I also added a few symbolic elements to the mural, including birds flying out of a cage. For me, this represents freedom—the idea that everyone living in this space is free from burdens and has the opportunity to move forward with a lighter heart.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR WALL BLANK.
LET IT SYMBOLIZE SOMETHING.

It is not compulsory to follow any particular belief, but have you ever wondered why humans painted on cave walls in ancient times? Those paintings were connected to their beliefs, experiences and the way they understood the world around them. There is a lot of history and research behind these early forms of expression.

Today, we may not always pay much attention to what we put on our walls, as long as we have a personal space that feels like our own. It could be a bedroom shared with siblings, a hostel room, a rented apartment or simply a home away from your family.

After I got married, I moved into my husband’s place, which slowly became my new home. Later, our family grew with the arrival of Puvi, our Labrador. Then came our daughter, bringing an entirely new kind of happiness into our lives.

With every new responsibility, my physical and mental responsibilities increased too. Physically, it meant taking care of my family, while mentally, it meant constantly wanting to create the best possible environment for all of us.

I wouldn’t say that the paintings on my walls gave me everything I wanted. But they did something simple and meaningful—they reminded me to stay positive. Sometimes, just looking at something that carries a positive thought can bring you back to the right state of mind and remind you that things can slowly fall into place when you choose to remain positive.

REASON BEHIND CHOOSING THIS ART

Art displayed in a family gathering space can hold a meaning of its own. Even if the walls are not filled with paintings, I feel there should be something that makes a corner of the room feel alive and connected to the people living in it.

For me, this became more meaningful once we became a family. I started making most of my choices with a little more intention. Retaining the theme of our present life while bringing in positive energy was the idea behind choosing this particular art.

You can create or choose anything that holds a personal meaning, especially when it is placed in a living room where the family spends so much time together.

Over time, I did feel that prosperity and productivity began to flourish in my life. I don’t claim that the artwork alone brought these changes, but I do believe that our surroundings can influence the way we think and feel.

Our ancestors followed practices related to Vaastu and Feng Shui for reasons that were often rooted in years of observation and experience. At the same time, I believe it is important to use our own judgement.

Believe in your instincts, but be wise enough to understand what is practical and what may simply be superstition.

DON’T BE SUPERSTITIOUS.
DON’T BLINDLY FOLLOW SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE IT IS A TRADITION.
UNDERSTAND IT, QUESTION IT AND LOOK AT IT FROM A SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE TOO.

Except for certain customs and traditions, I don’t think there is anything wrong with choosing not to be a superstitious person. For me, the idea is much simpler—to make your space look beautiful, feel relaxing and create an environment that brings a sense of positivity.

I see décor in two ways: as an element of aesthetics and as a way of creating a positive atmosphere.

First came the plants. They are living elements that bring freshness into the home. They add beauty, influence the mood and, according to traditional beliefs, are also associated with good luck and positivity.
Then came the walls. I wanted them to have meaning rather than remain plain surfaces, so I used art to highlight them and create a sense of a healthy and positive space.
Then came the furniture. I started choosing pieces not just for how they looked, but also for how they supported us physically and helped us relax mentally. Who doesn’t love watching a movie comfortably on a lounger or taking a nap on one that can be converted into a bed? And when it also provides additional storage and saves space, that’s an added bonus!
Check out how I designed my living room seating area here.

For more home décor ideas, styling inspiration and updates from my home,
Follow me on Instagram: @monisha_sd

Here is the link to the vlog that evolved with time, where I recreated an amazing living room with a Korean and Scandinavian touch