A Playroom Designed for Joy | Abstract Landscape Mural in Clarksville, Maryland

Colorful abstract mural spanning three walls of a children’s playroom in Clarksville, Maryland

When this Clarksville mom reached out about a mural for her kids’ playroom, she had one simple wish:

She wanted anyone who walked through the door to feel joy.

So we started with a mood board, pulling together colors, shapes, and inspiration that felt joyful, playful, and a little bit unexpected. I used those colors to build the palette for the mural and designed the overall concept digitally, like I usually do.

But then I got to the wall.

And decided to throw the plan out the window.

Okay, not the whole plan. But usually, I transfer my designs to the wall using a projector or VR headset so I can follow the design nearly exact. This time, I started drawing the outline by sight and just… went with it.

And honestly? I love what happened.

The mural stretches across three of the four walls, flowing around and through all those windows and letting the natural light become part of the design. And let me tell you, this room has the BEST natural lighting.

As the mural started taking shape, so did the vibe. Our waves met the mountains into one big abstract landscape, all flowing together across the room in a way that feels playful and full of movement.

Once the flow was mapped out and the colors assigned, we brought in the real experts: the kiddos themselves.

Children helping paint a colorful mural in their Clarksville, Maryland playroom alongside mural artist Beck Stavely.

The kids and a couple of their friends helped paint sections of the mural, turning the project into something they didn’t just get to look at, but something they got to help create.

And that might be my favorite part.

“Beck made the whole process so much fun! I came to our first meeting with a million inspiration images, but she asked me a game-changing question: ‘How do you want it to feel?’ That opened the door to something so much more playful, colorful, whimsical, and us.

She even got our kids involved in painting, so the mural truly feels like theirs. Now the room makes us smile, feel creative, and want to play every time we walk in. We absolutely love it!”

— Carolyn R.

Now, every time they walk into their playroom, they get to see something they helped bring to life. A little piece of their own creativity is right there on the wall, waiting for them.

artist muralist painting a colorful mural in a playroom area

And honestly, painting this way brought a whole new level of joy to my own process, too.

I would love to do more playrooms like this, especially ones where the kids get to be part of the making. Because a mural can be beautiful, but watching a kid point to a part they painted themselves?

That’s the good stuff.


Custom Playroom Murals Across Central Maryland

I create custom, hand-painted murals for playrooms, kids’ spaces, and community play areas throughout Central Maryland. Based in Sykesville, Maryland, I work with families, businesses, schools, and community spaces throughout Howard County, Carroll County, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Montgomery County.

Recent and nearby service areas include Clarksville, Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Fulton, Glenwood, Sykesville, Eldersburg, Westminster, Mount Airy, Hampstead, Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Towson, Catonsville, Annapolis, Severna Park, Crofton, Odenton, Glen Burnie, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Potomac, and Chevy Chase.

If you're dreaming up a colorful playroom mural for your home or a playful wall for a school, daycare, children's space, or community gathering place, I'd love to hear what you're imagining.

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