Often overlooked, the art niche can play a vital element in personalizing a home. Well done, it can become a stunning focal point of any room. While some look at the plain empty recessed area as just a place to put a vase of flowers or a simple faux finish to take up space, we hope to inspire you to nobler ambitions.
The art niche is a perfect space to showcase a small mural. Subject matter is usually landscape, but architectural scenes and still lifes are also popular. The niche can be built up with faux stone, brick or marble columns around the outside edge to give it actual architectural weight and frame the art inside the niche. Additionally, decorative finishes can extend far beyond the physical niche to employ the entire wall. Niches provide that “window” to another place, a glimpse to the vista beyond, and therein lies the ability of the mural to tell that story.
Jamie Wells, master artist at Imago Dei, recommends painting the mural on canvas and installing it seamlessly into the niche, rather than painting directly onto the plastered wall. This is beneficial for several reasons. The mural can be completed in the studio more efficiently. The homeowner has less interruption and inconvenience to the household schedule, eliminating the need for artisans to occupy the space with equipment and supplies for weeks at a time. The mural can conceivably be removed to another location if the homeowner can’t bear to leave it behind. It is also a timesaver – which equals moneysaver.
If affordbility is the key, one might use a Giclée printed mural on canvas. These can be created from photographic scenes, custom paintings or digitally created fine art. Imago Dei now has the ability to create Giclée prints in-house, making it an even more attractive option. These prints are museum quality, have archivability of hundreds of years and are recognized as collectable reproductions.
Don’t have a niche or want one in another area? No problem, any flat wall can be transformed into a magnificent trompe l’oeil niche. A wide variety of scenes can be imagined and created, from an exotic, intimate getaway to vineyard views to a Mediterranean garden setting. This inviting scene created in the breakfast room of a Houston home was brought to life from a blank wall. The only “physical” piece is the fully functional water fountain.
Imagine the possibilities.The only danger is that you may never want to leave the space, having found your niche in the world.
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