8 arty walls for your country home

Bring the whimsy and wonder of the surrounding countryside into your home with wallpaper and murals depicting forest, floral or dusky sky scenes to add a mood-enhancing visual feast to focalpoint walls

Painterly effects
Transform your sleeping space with a simple wallpaper mural such as this dramatic, moody cloud scene in dark shades of grey, blue and purple for a romantic and wistful backdrop to drift off to every night. It's a look that works well in a dark bedroom as the lack of natural light will add to the ambience this moody scene creates. For best effect apply to a flat wall that has just enough height for the pattern to cover the entire space.

Woodland wonders
If your home is a country property with ornate period detailing try a contemporary take on a traditional fresco-style mural to complement the classic interior. A bespoke mural depicting soft pastoral landscape scenes and the beauty of nature are ideal for rooms with high ceilings that will provide a sense of loftiness. Apply to one wall for added impact and select a design that can be printed to fit the exact dimensions of the space.

Modern rustic
A verdant, leafy woodland scene will pack a visual punch in a country hallway, utility or boot room combined with wooden floors, doors and a rug with pops of green that echo the forest floor. Look for images with a sunny mood and zesty hues for an uplifting effect when you're on your way in or out and team with furniture in natural wood and wicker a relaxing, upbeat feel.

Hung up
If your walls are exposed brick or stone and not suitable for pasting wallpaper to then invest in a wallpaper hanging printed onto cotton fabric which is supplied with an aluminium rod that can be fixed to the wall for the wall hanging to be slotted into place. Add a sense of vibrancy and life to the bare brick with floral and botanical prints and patterns while keeping a touch of brickwork visible for a truly eclectic country feel.

Back to basics
Stripping a wall to the bare plaster can reveal a stunning natural palette of colours that can be used as a fitting backdrop to a relaxed country decorating scheme. Layers of paint that have built up over the years can be peeled back to expose the chalky plaster underneath with its natural pigments and exquisite hues. Together these can form a creative paint effect reminiscent of sunsets and skylines full of texture and individual charm that is a great feature in a rustic country home.

Soft landing
For a contemporary country dwelling, use an abstract mural to complement its clean aesthetic and provide a link with the landscape. Hanna Wendelbo‑Hansson, Designer and Creative Director at Sandberg Wallpaper, advises, "In a country home, it's a brilliant idea to make the connection between the outside and the interior, bringing nature inside. The wallpaper Skog with its mysterious, but welcoming expression is perfect for a hallway, adding both personality and interest. The soothing green tones make you feel welcomed and calm as soon as you open the door."

Ornate art
For a classical feel, add interest to a wall with a highly ornate pattern. Opt for large swirls and patterns with movement in old properties with bumpy walls or uneven ceilings rather than stripes or geometrics. Magdalen Jebb, Creative Director of Lewis & Wood suggests ‘Bacchus' which, "based on an Elizabethan wall painting, is destined to work brilliantly on a wall. Just as effective in grand halls and country cottages, the wallpaper can be used anywhere and comes with a border for extrainventiveness."

Climb the Walls
If your country interior has a dado rail then use it to best effect and introduce a large scale pattern that makes a strong style statement and works both below and above the dividing line. Charlotte Crosby, Head of Creative at Farrow & Ball suggests using a "large scale border design such as Feather Grass - inspired by the Dorset countryside it captures the desire to embrace the beauty of nature around us making it ideal as an accent wall in a country home."

Like this? For more ideas and inspiration visit the Country Homes & Interiors homepage.

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