Trend Alert: Hand-Painted Details All Over

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Two weeks ago I stopped into Victoria Mansion in Portland, Maine, a grand circa-1860 home that’s now a historic site (rescued from becoming a gas station). Among the standout details—silver call-bells in each room, ornate gilding, some of the most beautiful door hinges I’ve seen—are the original hand-painted walls by Italian-born tromp l’oeil painter Giuseppe Guidicini. (My favorite room? The WC, more jewel box than bathroom, with all four walls and even the ceiling painted in rich reds, greens, and golds.)

Since then I’ve been tempted to take a paintbrush to every room in our apartment, and I can’t help but notice that hand-painted details are popping up all over, from doorframes and mantels to full rooms. It’s a cost-efficient, creativity-unleashing way of changing up the interiors we’ve been in for so long, after all. Don’t like it? Paint over it.

Is 2022 the year white walls give way to maximalism, pattern, and painted-on whimsy? Take a look and see for yourself.

hand painted red patterned walls in the garden pavilion of designer of the mome 17 — Above: Hand-painted red patterned walls in the garden pavilion of designer-of-the-moment Beata Heuman, from A Rising Star’s Spirited London Home: ‘Every Room Should Sing!’.

in many of the spaces at quinta da corte in portugal, there&#8\2\17;s no su 18 — Above: In many of the spaces at Quinta da Corte in Portugal, there’s no such thing as white ceilings; instead, they’re painted in colorful geometries. See more in Sculptural Minimalism: A Winery Guesthouse by a French Architect in Portugal’s Douro Valley.

sussex and london based decorative artist tess newall hand paints walls, lamps 19 — Above: Sussex- and London-based decorative artist Tess Newall hand-paints walls, lampshades, bed nooks, furniture, and more; here, she hand-painted an architrave leading into a kitchen for a project by interior designer Turner Pocock.

and, in her own sussex cottage, newall painted detailing on \16th century beams 20 — Above: And, in her own Sussex cottage, Newall painted detailing on 16th century beams. See more of Newall’s work at @tessnewallstudio.

stylist gillian lawlee took paint to the trim and bookshelves of her la cottage 21 — Above: Stylist Gillian Lawlee took paint to the trim and bookshelves of her LA cottage, painting on colorful frames and creating vignettes; for a full tour, see My Life in Colour: 8 Lessons from Gillian Lawlee’s Anti-Trendy LA Cottage.

no need to free hand it; stenciled walls are back too, as in this soon to be gu 22 — Above: No need to free-hand it; stenciled walls are back too, as in this soon-to-be-guest-room in upstate New York. For more, see Simple Good Things: 13 Ideas to Steal from a Shaker-Inspired Farm & Fermentory in the Catskills. Photograph by Christian Harder.

for paris based artist nathalie lété, white walls are a canvas— 23 — Above: For Paris-based artist Nathalie Lété, white walls are a canvas—specifically the walls of her home in France near the forest of Fontainebleau, dubbed Maison Atelier Suzanne, which she’s been hand-painting, bit by bit, since the beginning of lockdown. Photograph courtesy of Nathalie Lété.

a glass door painted by nathalie. photograph courtesy of nathalie lété 24 — Above: A glass door painted by Nathalie. Photograph courtesy of Nathalie Lété.

commitment phobic? paint the furniture in lieu of walls, as in this london proj 25 — Above: Commitment phobic? Paint the furniture in lieu of walls, as in this London project by Beata Heuman. Photograph from Required Reading: ‘Every Room Should Sing.’

another work by tess newall: in a guest room at callow hall, derbyshire, she pa 26 — Above: Another work by Tess Newall: In a guest room at Callow Hall, Derbyshire, she painted Swedish-inspired designs around a windowframe. Photograph via Callow Hall.

the return of painted murals? this one, in designer beata heuman&#8\2\17;s 27 — Above: The return of painted murals? This one, in designer Beata Heuman’s own home, was inspired by Ludwig Bemelmans’s murals at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC. See more in A Rising Star’s Spirited London Home: ‘Every Room Should Sing!’.

artist/illustrator russell loughlan hand painted his bedroom in stripes, which 28 — Above: Artist/illustrator Russell Loughlan hand-painted his bedroom in stripes, which he says are surprisingly calming. See The House on Dolphin Street: A Remodeling Tale of Tenacity and High Style.

a painted flourish in a parisian apartment redone by merci; see lessons in mixi 29 — Above: A painted flourish in a Parisian apartment redone by Merci; see Lessons in Mixing and Mismatching: Merci Reinvents a Paris Apartment.

More trends we’re noting:

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Frequently asked questions

What is the latest interior design trend?

The latest trend in interior design is hand-painted details.

What are some examples of hand-painted details?

Hand-painted details can include floral motifs, geometric patterns, and abstract designs.

How can hand-painted details be incorporated into your home?

Hand-painted details can be incorporated into your home through wallpaper, upholstery, pottery, or even as a mural on a wall.

What are the benefits of using hand-painted details?

Hand-painted details add a unique and personal touch to any space and also promote the use of artisanal and sustainable materials.

Can I add hand-painted details to my existing decor?

Yes, you can add hand-painted details to your existing decor by incorporating new pieces that feature these details or by commissioning an artist to create a custom piece for you.

Where can I find hand-painted decor?

Hand-painted decor can be found at specialty stores, online marketplaces, and through artisanal makers and artists.

Is hand-painted decor expensive?

Hand-painted decor can range in price depending on the complexity of the design, the materials used, and the artist creating the piece. However, there are affordable options available.

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