Mine's not there because I haven't filled out the paperwork (bad dawnie). I love them and haven't tired of our murals (we have a couple) at all. They're gorgeous and the more they get seasoned (by DH splashing when cooking) the better they look!

My contractor is going to put a couple of hooks under my hood so I can changing out my hanging murals (don't worry - he is anchoring the hooks to studs). We are going to put the hooks in first before the backsplash so that the mural will hang very close to the wall. The hooks will be high enough so that if I want to go muraless (??) the hooks really will not show. We (me and the kids) plan on creating different murals for the seasons (summer, football, winter and spring). Yes, my husband consider's football a season so because he has been so wonderful during this remodel the kids and I are doing a mural of his alma mater! I hope I still have the energy to do a holiday mural. I didn't think I could commit to a permanent mural for the reasons you listed but when I saw the backsplash in the link below it made me so happy that I knew I wanted to do something so a changeable mural seemed like the perfect solution. I hope my plan works out - will find out in a couple of weeks. Good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: backsplash that makes me happy.

I suppose it depends on what part of the country you are in, but murals are definately not "out-dated" and when done properly, they do not get tired. It is something very personal and finding the right muralist can be tricky. You should google images of murals, not necessarily tile murals. Also look up "trompe l'oeil", and see what can be done. Oftentimes these murals are painted on canvas and installed like wallpaper, in case the owner moves, they can choose to take the commissioned artwork with them.
I think you will be amazed by the talent that these specialized artists have.
A mural is an art form in it's own right and if you think about it, has been around for thousands of years. From cave paintings to Pompeii to Michaelangelo it has survived the test of time!
They also range in price depending on the experience of the painter. Some artists charge by the square foot while others give a day/project rate. It will depend on the level of difficulty, as well as the level of detail in the painting.
You can have a trompe l'oeil window with curtains gently blowing in the breeze or wood shutters slightly ajar with a potted plant on the windowsill overlooking lavender fields of france or crimson red poppies proudly displayed in the rolling hills of Tuscany.
A mural is up to your imagination and the sky's the limit!!
Oh, and a mural can also be painted on tile....

I have also noted that there are few readymade ceramic artworks installed in GW kitchens, although it seems to be a trend in other places. I suspect that the GW posters are more interested in personal design than in purchasing design, but that's just a guess. We should also note that the trend toward white kitchens that mimic turn of the century to the 1920s design have a different aesthetic muse.

The cost of tile art is great enough that you are making quite a permanent commitment when you install a large mosaic image. Nevertheless, there are charming ones, especially for the more flamboyant/gutsy decorator or for a Southern European look. If you go to EBay or Google and type in some key words, you will be amazed at what tile murals you can find, including very custom printed tile graphics. Igloochic has installed a chicken backsplash that she might post a link to (Hint, hint).

Some years ago I visited Spain and my hostess took me to a local tile manufacturer who had lots of choices in murals, large and small and many in a folksy style. I still fondly recall them and wish I could have been in a position to buy and use one. One of the Twin Cities' top tile vendors has a wonderful display of tiles that includes some very attractive mural items, including a pear tree that is available in a number of colorways and a poppy mod graphic. Things like this are definitely available and being sold.

The most popular kitchens today mimic the look of the early 1900's kitchens which were used by maids. Hence they were utilitarian spaces that were designed for function and not highly decorated. The mural has been displaced by a shelf for utensil, oils, etc. Of course, getting that look requires the use of pretty costly materials today, so it may feel highly decorated.

I think also that people try very hard to make choices that won't "date" their kitchen. Given that people spend probably at least 50k and in some areas 200k-plus on a kitchen, you dont want it to look out of date 3 years from now. Generally, the simpler the better to achieve timelessness. On the other hand, that can make designing things a little less fun and a little less personal.

Just like I like make-up that looks like you aren't wearing make-up, my favorite spaces are those that don't look like they were decorated. I think a mural can look like you were trying to hard. I prefer the kitchen look you get from throwing in an antique, or using an oriental rug, or an unusual material (like zinc or pewter or even butcher block or old-style linen formica).

All that said, you should do what makes you happy.

There isn't a lot of originality or trend setting here. Of all the kitchens that posted, there is only a small percentage that start will an original and personal vision and follow it to the end. The rest are kitchens that are based on someone else's kitchen or current trend/fad and tend to look similar to each other because of it.

Mtnrdredux nailed it! The only thing I would add is that there is a lively counter trend on GW that celebrates quirky and distinctive kitchens. See the fun thread started by Florantha.

Here is a link that might be useful: modest or quirky kitchens

Another thought...These days many kitchens are open to other rooms. My home kitchen is open to a family rm/sunroom on one end, and the DR at the other. Our lakehouse kitchen is open to the LR, DR, and sunroom.

While I've tried to incorporate individual touches to my kitchen spaces I've also been deliberate in not having anything permanent be too splashy & eyecatching. I want to be able to change out art & accessories in the adjoining rooms seasonally, when they get worn, or when I get tired of them.

With many new builds having open floor plans and so many people tearing down walls in kitchen renovations, I think it has deterred people from choosing expensive, permanent murals that they will have to take into consideration when decorating the rest of the house.

Another reason people don't install tile murals is if they do not plan to be in the home for more than, e.g., 5 years. Tile murals are very personal design. If you are thinking about resale, you may worry that what is a beautiful mural to you, may seem unattractive to a potential buyer. And it's not like paint color which can be easily changed.

I bought my tile murals off Ebay four years ago (have one for the sink and a coordinating one for the cooktop).

I am so looking foward to finally being able to get them installed - maybe by the end of the year. First I have to find a good background tile to go with them (and decide on counter tops . . .)

Cathy

Thanks for all the responses. GB85 you have the right idea - being able to change out the mural whenever you want to. That's exactly what I am considering doing. I love the look of a mural but want to be able to change it with the seasons. I think a mural can really set the tone of the entire kitchen so I know I have to consider the surrounding area as well. It will be a challenge but I think once I can make a decision about the subject matter and colors it will help me decide on everything else I want in my kitchen makeover. I notice that most people leave the backsplash to do last but in my case I am going to approach it in just the opposite way.

Just want to add that though I don't post often I read most of the kitchen postings and have been gathering a wealth of information.