The Magic Above: Childhood Murals That Inspired a Lifetime
When I think back to my childhood home, one of the first things that comes to mind isn’t the backyard we played in or the kitchen where we gathered—it’s the ceilings. Yes, the ceilings. Not the most obvious place for a memory to take root, but in our home, they were anything but ordinary.
My parents, always full of creativity and a deep appreciation for art, decided that the ceilings in our bedrooms would be more than just plain white surfaces. Instead, they transformed them into vast, imaginative worlds that fueled our dreams every night. Each of us—my three brothers and I—had a different theme, turning our bedrooms into portals to another place.
Each child had a different theme fitting our personalities
My ceiling was like stepping into a circus tent—white and yellow stripes stretched across the ceiling, making it feel as if I were sleeping right under the big top. At night, I imagined the distant sound of carnival music, acrobats swinging from above, and the excitement of a show about to begin. It was whimsical, playful, and filled with the magic of childhood wonder. My eldest brother, had the smallest and most minimalist of the rooms, with a simple yet thoughtful design that captured the essence of childhood in a subtle way. The ceiling, still a playful canvas, was adorned with just a few carefully painted toys, each one evoking memories of simpler times. His name, spelled out in colorful blocks, was a small yet personal touch, grounding the room in a sense of warmth and familiarity.
My middle brother had a sky filled with vines and stars. This used to be my room, but I moved because he thought a ghost lived in his room. It turned out to be a lucky trade for me since that room had an extra bathroom—perfect for the only girl in the family!
And the youngest? His ceiling was a dream for any little aviation enthusiast. He loved airplanes, so his sky-blue ceiling was filled with planes soaring through the clouds. I can still picture him lying in bed, eyes fixed on the painted jets and propellers, imagining himself as a pilot flying high above the world.
Looking back, those murals weren’t just decorations; they were stories. They sparked our imaginations, gave us comfort, and made our rooms truly ours. My parents’ decision to turn something so simple into something extraordinary left a lasting impression on me. It’s a reminder that a child’s space should be filled with wonder, where every detail can inspire creativity and dreams.
Maybe that’s why I love creating beautiful spaces for children now.
Every little detail, from the artwork on the walls to the colours that surround them, helps shape their world. It’s not just about making a room look nice—it’s about making a space where magic happens, where dreams take flight, and where memories, just like mine, are made to last a lifetime.