We were blown away by the impact of this flowering quince tree mural when we accidentally ran across it in Robert Lachman's article for the LA Times on the revival of wall murals. We love the way it anchors this room without overwhelming the other elements, an effect accomplished through its well-chosen scale and silhouette.
It was painted by Jeff Robinson in the living room of interior designer Molly Luetkemeyer's home (the place is now owned by Kate Schintzis). As Ms. Luetkemeyer said, "You can add this one, beautiful, dramatic gesture which completely activates the space, and it allows you to keep everything else fairly neutral."
Even if you lack Robinson's finesse, you can create some drama of your own with stencils. Check out The Stencil Library and Stencil1 for ideas and inspiration.
• Robert Lachman's article in the LA Times
(Edited from a post published 06.28.07 - CB)

White Enamel Four-P...
So it was:
http://la.apartmenttherapy.com/la/la-times-house-garden-roundup/la-times-hg-53107-murals-023923
We are not perfect.
How hard is it to stencil something of that size? I'm a complete painting novice, and while I would LOVE to stencil something on my wall, I'm a little frightened of making a huge mess of it :-/
Anokha,
It's not hard but it's fairly detailed work and requires some patience. It can be done freehand if you have fairly decent art skills but, if done with stencils (purchased or DIY), I suggest painting first (through the stencil) with something generally marketed as "artist's medium" which is available at art supply shops. It will contain whatever follow-up painting you do to the inside of the stencil and give you very crisp results. Something close can be achieved by just painting the wall color through the stencil before you paint any contrasting color (but the medium seems to be more effective). It's fun to experiment and, if it doesn't work, so easy to paint over and start again. I'd encourage you to give it a try and perhaps practice on poster board or scrap drywall to develop some confidence. BTW, this same technique gives the most "crisp" lines when painting simple stripes too, just paint over the edge of your painter's tape & the wall (or canvas or furniture) with the artist's medium, let it dry, and then paint with your chosen contrast color.
I like the concept, especially something that appears to suggest wind, but generally change my artwork around too much to commit to a huge wall mural like that (however now I'm thinking it might be a very nice addition to the other pieces I have). Thanks for the inspiration AT.
i have a 50's interiors book w/ a very similar tree...part of its charm is how it also spills up onto the ceiling. i will try to scan it in soon.
Fantastic! My mother had two murals of trees in our house when I was a boy, and playing beside them kept me very happy on super rainy days.
I've been trying to find a tree decal that I can use in lieu of painting (because I really don't trust myself, and I don't know if I trust my friends either--and what if I hate what they wind up painting?). But it's been hard to find one that's chocolate brown and the right size.
love this room but obsessed with the sofa - where is THAT from???
ditto -- in love with the sofa! any ideas about the vendor?
Hmmm Janbrady, now you have me thinking! I didn't even think of a decal, although I think I'd still prefer to paint.
Would this work for you, though?
http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=TH-101
janbrady--what about using contact paper? if you're handy with an xacto knife, you could probably make your own with contact paper!
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Vinyl-Wall-Art/
I agree - the Chinese Chippendale Chair and the sofa is what does it for me...
...I'm guessing that the sofa is a vintage Edward Wormley design for Dunbar.
I'm going to try to paint my own on a giant canvas at some point. Not as much commitment as a wall and more formal than a decal. I hope. Unless it looks crappy.
WAY COOL
Really dramatic looking---it is from years ago---I have seen it in old books used in the 30's I think.
I would like it in a softer look for color---a pale taupe with just simple touches of gold or silver leaf used in an abstract manner.
I always thought it was a wallpaper item---not hand painted.
I find the mural a little unsettling. Maybe better if it were horizontally flipped, so it reads from left to right?
I have just discovered this site, while those that I've seen ca remains my favorite.
to buy : http://www.wall-print.com
photos : http://www.wall-print.com/photos/index.html
How does one "accidentally" run across something one is presumably reading on purpose?
Wow, I love how people try and be a bit different and dare. This is all done so artistically. Very harmonious. Not something I would have in my own place but definitely something I appreciate. The lounge (is it silver semi shiny matieral?) blends in so tastefully. I would dare to have a mural in my own home, however I would toy with the idea first of having a removable 'plaque/wall piece' that I could swap for something else later - either a painted wall behind it and/or something of a totally different colour scheme. I don't like to be attached and stuck with something when much later, I am in the mood for changing the whole entire look and feel of my lounge room. But this lunge room is awesome. Very nice with lounge side tables that are a lill different from the norm too.
LOVE this look. It sent me searching and a few pages deep in Google I found this link. Had to share their fabulous, simple patterns.
http://www.blackbookstencils.com/patterns.php
I think I need the "shoes" pattern in my closet!
Looks like I'm not alone...am LOVING the sofa...any one know the source? I'm sofa hunting at the moment and am about to go with something similar from Mitchell Gold...I'd love a 2nd option.