There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming a cold, functional space into a sanctuary. I was recently commissioned to paint a mural for a local family who were converting their garage into a teenager’s retreat. The goal was to take those stark, industrial brick walls and turn them into a moody, atmospheric escape that felt private and inspiring.
Given my love for "everyday magic," we settled on a midnight mountain landscape. Here is a look behind the scenes of how I prepped and executed the project.
Colour Matching at the Dulux Store
The success of a night-time scene lives and dies by its blues. If the blue is too bright, it looks like a nursery; if it’s too flat, it loses its depth.
I headed down to the Dulux store with my digital mock-up in hand to ensure the transitions would be seamless. I spent a good amount of time with their colour swatches, looking for tones that had enough "inkiness" to feel like a deep forest at night. I ended up selecting a palette of four primary shades, ranging from a near-black navy for the upper atmosphere to a crisp, icy blue for the mountain highlights.
The Importance of a Good Foundation
When working on a substrate like exposed brick, the preparation and foundation are the most critical steps. Unlike a smooth plastered wall or a canvas, brick is porous, uneven, and full of character (and dust!).
Before a single drop of "pretty" colour touched the wall, I had to ensure the surface was clean and stable. Painting on brick requires a steady hand during the sketching phase because the mortar lines can easily "catch" your brush or pencil, distorting your lines. I spent a significant amount of time mapping out the composition, ensuring the scale of the mountains felt grand enough for the wide garage space. Building a solid foundation with my initial sketch allowed me to work with the texture of the brick rather than fighting against it.
The Power of Layering
Once the sketch was set and the foundation was solid, it was time to go in with colour. The key to a landscape like this is layering from back to front to create a sense of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.
• The Sky: I began with the deepest navy at the top, blending into mid-tones as I moved towards the horizon to mimic the natural gradient of a night sky.
• The Mountains: I used a "blocked-in" approach for the mountains, using slightly lighter blues than the sky to create a silhouette effect. Then, I went in with a dry-brush technique to add the moonlight highlights on the ridges.
• The Trees: This is where the depth really happens. I painted the trees in three distinct "waves." The furthest trees are a muted, dusty blue, while the trees in the foreground are a bold, dark charcoal.
The Final Result
Stepping back to see the finished piece was a proud moment. The transformation from a dusty, industrial garage wall to a serene, midnight vista is exactly why I love mural work. By building up those layers of colour and respecting the texture of the brick, the wall no longer feels like a cold boundary—it feels like an invitation to step outside and into the wild.
I’m thrilled that this space will now serve as a creative haven, providing a sense of calm and wonder for years to come.
Are you looking to transform a space in your home? I’m currently taking mural commissions for 2026—feel free to reach out via my contact page!
