By Tess Dolan - <a href="http://www.houzz.com.au" target="_blank">Houzz</a>
As a Melbourne designer, it's impossible not to be inspired by the vibrant urban art that covers our city walls and alleyways. Many enthusiasts feel it voices the taste and sentiments of the general public in ways the art in our galleries cannot. It can often reclaim the inconspicuous 'in-between' spaces of our cities and makes them beautiful points of interest for locals and tourists alike.
After seeing the many ways street art can add a sense of place and vibrancy to our city, it's hard not to consider the ways that it can do the same for our homes. As art that has long been understood as a means of self expression, street art proposes many opportunities to personalise and beautify your home in unique and interesting ways. Whether it be commissioning a mural, adding a much-needed injection of fun to a children's bedroom, or simply adding an understated point of interest to a bathroom, these Australian homes show us the way to embrace street art in our homes.
Rebelling and reclaiming: 'Tricking out' the office view
Fellow Melburnian, interior designer and decorator Meredith Lee, did an amazing job on this Clifton Hill home office. The room's light and airy atmosphere works with the rest of the house, but what I love is that the pesky dilemma of the otherwise boring brick wall view has been solved by the addition of a street art mural. It'd be hard not to be inspired and productive with a view like that.
Reveal who you are
This Queensland abode leaves no questions unanswered when it comes to the bright and vivacious personalities of its owners.
Built out of no less than 31 shipping containers (the largest of its kind in Australia), this impressive residence from Ziegler Build uses graffiti on the building's side to enhance the industrial feel. The colours have been chosen beautifully and invite passers-by to stop and enjoy the spectacle.
Doin' it for the kids
After moving into the fourth home that she and husband Pete built from scratch, Kristie Castagna, from the inspiring interior design blog Elements at Home, commissioned this very rad piece of her son's name on the wall of his room from talented local artist (and nephew) 'Elsmers'.
The bight colours and cool cracked effect of the work really pack a one-of-a-kind punch in this young man's sanctuary. I love how unique the piece is and enjoy the thought of how at home Castagna's son Jaxon must feel in a room entirely of his own.
Not content with keeping this cool approach exclusive to the young ones in the house, Castagna's home also boasts this lovely work on an outside wall near the garage - ensuring that there is never a dull moment when it comes to this savvy abode.
Take a look at the rest of this Perth masterpiece
Setting the scene
Western Australian couple Ben and Carla Karsakis (Ben is an urban designer and Carla is a designer for Etica Studio) created this beautiful azure mural to inject some personality into their backyard entertainment area - adding a lovely point of interest to what could have otherwise been a bare patio.
Not all (let's face it - not many) homes have the privilege of a view, so Carla's decision to paint a mural that paid homage to her love of art deco and illustration added a thoughtful and personal touch to this home. I love that the colours of the brick and blue have been picked up in the rest of the space (and that this particular view is maintenance free!).
Take a look at how this amazing colour has been used as a connecting feature throughout the rest of the house.
Making a wall statement
Take a look at how this Pickawall 'Bricks and Ballon' wall mural from Sydney Wallpapering enlivens this apartment's bathroom. Set over tiles, this design choice adds an understated feature to this all-white bathroom, injecting the charm of street art to what would otherwise be a stock standard apartment bathroom.
As more and more of us flock to the convenience and hum of city living, apartments become the more obvious buying choice. Using wallpaper that references the urban art like this one is an excellent way to not only surprise your guests with how unique your home is, but also to reference the voice of the city you call home.
Be bold! Be big!
While 'understated' is sometimes the mantra of interior decorators everywhere, risks can pay off in a big way. This amazing piece from Brisbane business Graffiti Murals shows us that the induction of a large-scale graffiti job can really pack a punch when it comes to your home. I love how the colours are also picked up in the pool's reflection.
Paint the town - say no to a boring neighbourhood
Let's face it, sometimes all those grey and brick walls can look a little drab. I love the way that these savvy homeowners have invigorated their neighbourhood by being open to - and sometimes even commissioning - local (and legal) street art talent to infuse some personality into the outer walls of their homes.
This work and the one in the following image showcase the sheer ability of street art today as a testament to the maturity of modern urban art. Their scale, colour and bold graphics make for attractive and individual show of talent and flair. It's so much harder to replicate en masse than any art in our galleries.
As our cities grow and densify, it's important to consider ways that we are able to use the space and opportunity we have to build better, more uplifting environments. Given that, historically, urban art is in many ways about the reclamation of public space. Commissioning the work of a street artist can act as a way to inspire and elate a community - reaffirming their place and involvement in public spaces.
Consider new statements
Although the term 'street art' typically evokes images of artists using spray paint and stencils, remember that this approach does not limit itself to the use of specific materials.
This inspiring 'Hello House' in Richmond, Melbourne by OOF! Architecture is the very definition of inviting, making a bold statement upon impact in the same way that we experience other forms of urban art.
This design - lovely both inside and out - greets the neighbouring buildings and residents while avoiding to blend into the other residential properties on the street. Its playful and humorous nature shows us that the use of graphics does not have to overwhelm or overpower a site - instead graphics can add a sense of community and conversation that was not there before.