A Playroom Designed for Joy | Abstract Landscape Mural 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.

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.

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.

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.

Have a playroom that could use a little more joy? Send me a message! Let’s make something your kids will be proud to walk into every day.