Add colour to your home,with eye catching exterior walls

Exterior walls need not be plain colour, dry walled boring. They offer a great platform for murals and artwork expressions which enhance architectural features while adding drama and visual impact to an exterior. Besides should you tire of the imagery it can easily be repainted with a different picture to give you a brand new feel.

Exterior paints – Before embarking on the artwork project, it is necessary to prepare the background of the wall by using suitable paints or wall finishes which will withstand the harsh weather elements. Any old peeling paint should be scrapped off and repainted. Paint manufacturers such as Basco Paints, Crown Paints, Rhino and Classical Mouldings offer advice on various external paint products and wall effects and at a minimum extra fee they can offer professional application services by their approved skilled painters.

Here are a few ideas on how to add visually stimulating artwork to different parts of your exterior walls.

Pillars – Columns and pillars are great opportunities to showcase artwork. The artworks should have a contrasting colour from the primary colour on the background wall so that the picture pops out, however use the colours of the roof, stone and brick to establish a unified scheme. For a more elaborate style use textured stone finished porcelain tiles or mosaic or opt for intricate handcrafted wood designs like those done on Lamu doors.

Window seals – Create a pattern under the window seal to remove the monotony of plain walls. For a unified appearance use the same pattern on all the windows so that the theme is harmonised. Simple is beautify as far as the window seals are concerned so think of a pattern which is subtle enough to break monotony but which will not draw too much attention to itself.

Door frames – To differentiate your door from the rest of the neighbourhood, simply add a geometrical themed pattern on the wall immediately around the door frame and provide a delightful visual sensation to your guests. Mwembe Resort and The Village in Malindi have inscribed artwork on the border of the door frames, windows and exteriors of their luxury cottages creating visual stimulation and character.

Walls – Paint a mural of a favourite scene such as the beach front, mountain scenery, African women carrying pots of water or herdsmen grazing. Quotes and inspiring messages can be inscribed on the wall by different family members positioned at different parts of the wall. To keep the artwork co-ordinated select a theme to brand and inspire a course you advocate for such as peace and reconciliation, environmental conservation, maternal and child care as you add character and interest to your home.

Photos: Wangeci Kanyeki/Standard