6 Bold Murals Turn Outdoor Walls Into Art
When sprucing up your outdoor space, consider adding something one of a kind to the walls too
Annie Thornton
July 19, 2018
Houzz Editorial Staff
When faced with an unsightly exterior wall or fence on your property, a first instinct may be to plant a vine, add a trellis or put up a screen to get that wall out of sight. Before you do, you may consider another design move — something a little more playful and one-of-a-kind — an outdoor mural painted directly on the wall or fence.
Check out the six following homes, all of which feature custom artist-painted murals. Instead of looking at a cinder block wall or rusted metal fence, the owners of these spaces enjoy bold, color-filled outdoor spaces. Each mural uniquely celebrates its environment, whether that be with shapes echoing the home’s architecture or a scene depicting the family that lives there. Tell us which one is your favorite!
Check out the six following homes, all of which feature custom artist-painted murals. Instead of looking at a cinder block wall or rusted metal fence, the owners of these spaces enjoy bold, color-filled outdoor spaces. Each mural uniquely celebrates its environment, whether that be with shapes echoing the home’s architecture or a scene depicting the family that lives there. Tell us which one is your favorite!
1. Colorful and Abstract
Location: Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego
Artist: Nate Schnell
A renovated home in San Diego gained more living space when architect Christian Rice opened up the living room to a narrow side yard turned outdoor dining terrace. But the existing 5-foot-tall cinder block wall did nothing to enhance either the outdoor experience or the view that could be seen from inside the roll-up garage door that connected the patio to the living room.
Artist Nate Schnell covered the wall in a colorful, abstract piece, per the request of the homeowner. The artist mixed in his favorite colors and shapes, also taking inspiration from the Eames dining chairs that sit on the patio in front of the wall. “He was into the cooler colors, and I was able to slide a little of that orange in there that I like,” Schnell says of the homeowner.
See more of this outdoor dining patio
Location: Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego
Artist: Nate Schnell
A renovated home in San Diego gained more living space when architect Christian Rice opened up the living room to a narrow side yard turned outdoor dining terrace. But the existing 5-foot-tall cinder block wall did nothing to enhance either the outdoor experience or the view that could be seen from inside the roll-up garage door that connected the patio to the living room.
Artist Nate Schnell covered the wall in a colorful, abstract piece, per the request of the homeowner. The artist mixed in his favorite colors and shapes, also taking inspiration from the Eames dining chairs that sit on the patio in front of the wall. “He was into the cooler colors, and I was able to slide a little of that orange in there that I like,” Schnell says of the homeowner.
See more of this outdoor dining patio
2. Friendly Monsters
Location: Austin, Texas
Artist: Lance Bradley
A couple who were friends of Austin, Texas-based artist Lance Bradley already were patrons of his work — his paintings and illustrations hung in their house. When it came to updating the plain brown asbestos shingle exterior of their Austin bungalow, they turned to Bradley. “It was completely my invention,” Bradley says of the scene he painted of his signature whimsical monster sketches, all drawn freehand on the home’s exterior. He also painted the new teal backdrop and added extra wood cutouts where the mural extends over some of the front windows.
While working on the project, Bradley was able to connect with the community. He took in their suggestions and feedback and got to experience their reactions. “It makes people really smile and makes people really curious,” says Bradley, seen here napping on the porch. “It ends up being one of a kind on a neighborhood.”
Location: Austin, Texas
Artist: Lance Bradley
A couple who were friends of Austin, Texas-based artist Lance Bradley already were patrons of his work — his paintings and illustrations hung in their house. When it came to updating the plain brown asbestos shingle exterior of their Austin bungalow, they turned to Bradley. “It was completely my invention,” Bradley says of the scene he painted of his signature whimsical monster sketches, all drawn freehand on the home’s exterior. He also painted the new teal backdrop and added extra wood cutouts where the mural extends over some of the front windows.
While working on the project, Bradley was able to connect with the community. He took in their suggestions and feedback and got to experience their reactions. “It makes people really smile and makes people really curious,” says Bradley, seen here napping on the porch. “It ends up being one of a kind on a neighborhood.”
3. Following the Light
Location: Palm Springs, California
Artist: Shawn Savage
Artists find inspiration in many places. In the instance of this oversize wall mural in Palm Springs, California, artist Shawn Savage found inspiration from the home itself, designed by Albert Frey, a modernist legend in Palm Springs. “It was inspired by the interplay between light and shadow,” says homeowner Jackie Thomas.
Tour more of Albert Frey’s ‘hidden’ home
Location: Palm Springs, California
Artist: Shawn Savage
Artists find inspiration in many places. In the instance of this oversize wall mural in Palm Springs, California, artist Shawn Savage found inspiration from the home itself, designed by Albert Frey, a modernist legend in Palm Springs. “It was inspired by the interplay between light and shadow,” says homeowner Jackie Thomas.
Tour more of Albert Frey’s ‘hidden’ home
4. Flying Away
Location: Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans
Artist: Paul Santoleri
A neighborhood park abuts Camille Coniglio and Tim Dybvig’s home in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood. Being so close to their home, the park feels like an extension of the couple’s backyard. “Tim and I eat and have drinks outside on our park bench that we purchased to add to the gardens,” Coniglio says. “We added string lights so that we can use the park at any time of day, since there are no lights.”
A corrugated sheet metal wall runs along the back of the park. From behind the lush foliage of elephant ear plants (Colocasia sp.), swirls of white, black and blue can just be seen poking above. The mural, done by Paul Santoleri, was commissioned by the Foundation Gallery. It features a large white bird inspired by a cockatoo that the Philadelphia-based artist saw while he was visiting New Orleans.
See more of this new-meets-old home in New Orleans
Location: Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans
Artist: Paul Santoleri
A neighborhood park abuts Camille Coniglio and Tim Dybvig’s home in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood. Being so close to their home, the park feels like an extension of the couple’s backyard. “Tim and I eat and have drinks outside on our park bench that we purchased to add to the gardens,” Coniglio says. “We added string lights so that we can use the park at any time of day, since there are no lights.”
A corrugated sheet metal wall runs along the back of the park. From behind the lush foliage of elephant ear plants (Colocasia sp.), swirls of white, black and blue can just be seen poking above. The mural, done by Paul Santoleri, was commissioned by the Foundation Gallery. It features a large white bird inspired by a cockatoo that the Philadelphia-based artist saw while he was visiting New Orleans.
See more of this new-meets-old home in New Orleans
5. Whimsical Touch of Art Deco
Location: Bedford, Perth, Western Australia
Artist: Carla Karsakis (who is also the homeowner)
For homeowner, artist and architectural designer Carla Karsakis, the courtyard of her newly built home in Perth was an opportunity to pull colors used in the interiors and also showcase her admiration for Art Deco and illustration. “In the end, I chose an abstract peacock design,” she says.
By leaving exposed brick above and below the mural’s teal stripe, the history of the reused materials can shine through, and the red brick can frame the art piece.
Peek inside this salvage style home
Location: Bedford, Perth, Western Australia
Artist: Carla Karsakis (who is also the homeowner)
For homeowner, artist and architectural designer Carla Karsakis, the courtyard of her newly built home in Perth was an opportunity to pull colors used in the interiors and also showcase her admiration for Art Deco and illustration. “In the end, I chose an abstract peacock design,” she says.
By leaving exposed brick above and below the mural’s teal stripe, the history of the reused materials can shine through, and the red brick can frame the art piece.
Peek inside this salvage style home
6. Keeping It in the Family
Location: Uptown district of New Orleans
Artist: Adrien Segal
After spending most of their lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mari and George Fisher moved to New Orleans after retiring in order to be closer to their three grown children and grandchildren.
As part of a remodel on the home they bought, Mari and George commissioned Bay Area-based artist Adrien Segal to paint a mural visible through their kitchen window. “The mural is simple but includes all that has been important in my life: church, family and food,” Mari says.
What could have been a view out to a plain backyard fence is brought to life with depictions of the Fisher family, all dancing and celebrating.
See more of this eclectic, antique-filled home
More
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Location: Uptown district of New Orleans
Artist: Adrien Segal
After spending most of their lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mari and George Fisher moved to New Orleans after retiring in order to be closer to their three grown children and grandchildren.
As part of a remodel on the home they bought, Mari and George commissioned Bay Area-based artist Adrien Segal to paint a mural visible through their kitchen window. “The mural is simple but includes all that has been important in my life: church, family and food,” Mari says.
What could have been a view out to a plain backyard fence is brought to life with depictions of the Fisher family, all dancing and celebrating.
See more of this eclectic, antique-filled home
More
Work with an artist or artisan near you
Elevate the Garden With Understated Art Pieces
How to Turn an Ugly Wall Into a Feature
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made with Asian paints stencil
I love all of these murals and the 'Friendly Monsters' is really fun and playful. Glad that such creative people exist in the world that offer an alternative perspective - feels like the perfect fit here in my hometown of Austin!
Love the 'Friendly Monsters'!