Cadlow Mural World

The Back Story

2011-10-17T21:43:00.001+13:00

By Muralismo

those of you who have been following my blog posts for a while will be aware that I spent a lot of time and energy setting up a new website complete with a Custom Mural category. I spent a lot of time AND money on the project and had only been up and running a very short while when I received a phone call that changed everything!

Long story short I had to remove my Custom Mural category which I had spent DAYS loading with all the images I had for sale and I had to instead work with a different supplier.

The good news is that a deal has been negotiated that means that I can still offer my NZ customers Custom Murals and in over 7000 designs but through my new business partner Murals Your Way not through Cadlow Mural World. HOWEVER we are their exclusive NZ distributor and it is our phone number that shows on their website when NZ customers visit it. NZ customers can contact us with any questions and queries.

Murals Your Way are simply the biggest and the best in the business and have been around a very long time. They are definitely the silver lining in the dark cloud that forced me to stop dealing with another company.

They have everything the other company has and much much more.

They quote in NZ dollars so you know exactly how much you will be paying. They ship quickly and only take a few days to make a custom mural. International shipping is an additional cost but due to their size they have negotiated a really sharp deal with their shipping provider so it is as low as possible and they DO NOT make any profit whatsoever on the shipping.

KEY benefits are:

	Your choice of over 7500 images or upload your own.
	Custom sizing to fit your wall dimensions. You can even personalize your mural.
	Choose from 3 premium materials including SmartStick® - simply peel and stick!
	Superior in quality to wall decals, stickers and standard paper murals.
	They ship to New Zealand

Purple Playroom transformed into Baby Boy's Beachy Blue room

2011-10-13T21:30:00.000+13:00

by Muralismo

I found this Blog post by a customer of Murals Your Way. She used their Custom mural service to great effect in this transformation of her baby son's nursery.

Murals Your way now ship to NZ and quote in NZ dollars. They provide Cadlow Mural World's phone number so that NZ customers can have a local contact for any questions or queries.

July 15th, 2011 @ 9:53am
My Baby Boy Beach Nursery Reveal
First of all, if you missed my first three posts, make sure you catch up! This adventure has been a blast taking care of getting the old purple playroom into something that is more suitable for a newborn baby boy. I would first like to thank Chase for creating a campaign that allowed us three bloggers to take $2000 and budget it into the baby room.
Now on with the show!
Here is the room PRIOR to the makeover. It was Charlottes play room and was done in purple and hand painted murals (that I did) and of course, an abundance of toys…

I have left you with many, many questions. From chair rail to murals, which route did I go? I think showing is better than telling.
So TADA!!!!!!!!!!
My Baby Boy Beach Nursery

Is that a makeover or WHAT!~
Now let me break it down for you.
I changed the nursery first by finding the crib. Once I had a crib to center the room around, I found custom made beach bedding which set the colors and tone of where I wanted to go, which prompted a painting match. Next, I found the surfboard fan, which I was afraid would change the entire feel of the room, but has actually been a very welcome piece that keeps the room cool and brings in a wooden element.
From there it was about incorporating some elements that would bring the room more personalization. I had this vision in my head of huge pictures the baby would see when he woke up (of family) and took some pictures and had them framed in large black and whites in the wainscoting-esque frames. Then I added open shadow box shelves and started shopping and collecting seashells and other trinkets from the local area. It was very important to me to have some artisan work from our own coastline artists, so I used the “Pensacola Pelican”, which is an icon around here, some glass pieces from the beach shops, and even a beach car that I got right at a gas station.
Now the palm tree picture on the dresser is actually from Mexico. That was all finger painting if you can believe it!
I also picked up items that you can’t see very well like a seashell nightlight and pewter covers for the light switches that are engraved with beach life.
Originally I had picked up that rug randomly trying to break up some of the beige in the room and once I got it in I was unsure….I decided to keep it and feel the room out and once the mural was on the wall, I just really loved the way it all came together. Last but not least, I added a baby hamper and a small storage and sitting bench where I could put toys, stuffed animals, or right now before he can reach it, baby supplies and shoes.
Chase
July 6th, 2011 @ 5:20pm
The Final Personal Touches
The time is almost here for the big reveal! It seems as soon as I get one thing done, I have 10 more that need to be completed. You would think the awesomeness of having a nursery challenge would really make me just love to shop, but in reality its like when you are on a shopping spree and you cant bear to spend any money.
Sometimes I walk into stores and just walk and walk and stare and go home empty handed.
Now a few things I knew I wanted were personal touches. While I don’t have anything more than an ultrasound picture of this little one, I did want to make sure he is surrounded by family when he wakes up, so it was important for me to develop some photos of the family to display around the room. I searched through 100′s of our photos (Ok, make that 1000′s) to find some shots that were taken on the beach and had them done into 11 x 14 black and whites. Then a friend and I searched high and low for while frames and found a nearly perfect design at the craft store. No surprise there, right?
But I really love we found the paneled white wood around the frames; take a look!
I also spent a good 4 hours and 10 stores trying to find shadow box frames to sit nick nacks in. Of course Charlotte came along and added her own items for now, but I can assure you the painted shells won’t be staying….
I did, however, let her add her own addition she picked up this weekend over in Florida while visiting her grandparents… Although, I’m not 100% positive why they painted a “Surfs Up” on something that says Mobile on it…we don’t have surf here!
And last, but not least, I really wanted to show off this adorable Shark robe that I have added to the wall….practical, useful, and total decor right now.
I had originally planned a beach theme, a beach theme that included soft sands, and soft walls, and white furniture, and I am still going that way. But I keep finding adorable items that end up more on the “tiki” or “surf theme” and while they both include water, they totally clash.
Lets start with the crib.
We finally got that crib up. Happily, the crib was the easiest thing I had to do! Even though I went with a white crib which can traditionally be thought of for a girl, I love how the lines on it are all straight across which give it more of a masculine feel. My daughters crib was all fancy and curvy, and also white, but they are so different that it still works for me and this theme.
This crib is in Vanilla and you can see that I have laid in my starfish bedding and organic cotton sheets. My only disappointment was that as much as I liked the crib, and liked the bedding, they dont seem to go together. You cant see the lovely ruffles on the bottom of the bedding set, but they seem to make a great hiding place for the cats!

Also, my daughter Charlotte has started to get into the game and surprised me with a few additions of her own on the walls, including this seahorse I found taped in the room today.
I do believe I will frame it for his room from his big sister.

Now with the walls, going from that dark purple mural to blue was quite a treat. It made my daughter cringe a bit since this was her playroom, but ultimately I do believe I achieved a beautiful wall color that is pleasant to the eye, not too soft, but also dark enough to feel like the ocean.
My thoughts from here were to put wainscoting on the walls and really give it a finished look, but would you know after buying $200 in wainscoting and chair rail, driving it home w/ the hatch up on my truck, and dragging it up the stairs, and I thought iw as far too stark next to the white furniture?
So of course down the stairs, back to the truck, back to the store.
And back to square one. My new thoughts now are to perhaps get a mural. I just emailed them today to find out how long it would take to ship, but I do believe it might really finish the room behind the crib.
Right now I am considering this “Florida Skies” mural, which I believe may compliment the color and theme of the room and also give the baby something soft to look at when he wakes up:

If for some reason that would take a few months and I cant get it in time (can you believe the baby will be here in 12 weeks? EEK!), my back up plan is paint a stripe around the room to separate the top and bottom, so thats also still a possibility.
I have looked at a ton of “wave” rub ons and even sayings like this one I found, but overall making a commitment has been so hard!

One commitment I have made that I do love however is my glider. I didn’t get that with Charlotte, so I wanted to make sure I had a place to rock the baby for the middle of the night feedings. I absolutely fell in love with this Glider in this soft cream and matching ottoman, where I can rock or kick my feet up. It just feels so lush and when I sit on it I can almost imagine looking out over the Ocean.

Come to think of it, that reminds me, I totally have to find some ocean sounds to play!
From this point forward, what I have to do is decide between a mural or stripes, or even leaving those blue walls the way they are. I have to get in some of my left over furniture like Charlotte’s old nursery dresser and start fixing up some shelves. I also need to clean out the excess toys from the closet and figure out some real storage.
In short…I have to do everything still!

Man Cave Murals!

2011-09-05T08:08:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

I noticed when tweeting the other day that someone in America had retweeted my tweet about Man Caves. Long story short this led me to discovering a T.V show called Man Caves that had a number of Manolicious Man Caves that featured Wall Murals as part of the decor.

I have selected some photos for your viewing enjoyment. We have partnered with Murals Your Way who have over 7000 images that you can select from when ordering a CUSTOM mural.They have a new product called SmartStick which can be installed in minutes because it is Peel & Stick.
Even better it is re positional and can be moved and re used.

We also have in stock some Murals suitable for a Man Cave and hopefully these photos will give you an idea of what can be achieved with them. Some of our most popular have sold out but I am putting in a large order from America this week so we will soon have them back in stock.

Find your own Man Cave Mural HERE

A Nursery is transformed into an Underwater world

2011-08-23T17:42:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

Hi Everyone,

I just love it when customers send me BEFORE & AFTER shots.

A while ago I sent out a questionnaire to some of our customers and today not only was I sent a completed questionnaire but also the following photos showing how Kylie turned her young man's nursery into something really special.

But first, the questionnaire.................

Hi Juana

We've finally got our little mans wall up, it looks great! Have attached some pics as per your email below, have also commented on your questions.

1) Why did you choose this Mural for your room?

I wanted something out of the ordinary for my little boys room - it's just what I was after!

2) What room did you put it in?

My baby boys room...he's only 11months old but LOVES it already, touching all the fish etc, he can learn a lot from it as he grows too!

3) How hard was it to put up?

Pretty easy from my understanding

4) Did you do it yourself or did you have help?

Had a wallpaperer do it while he was doing another job for us

5) How long did it take you?

Only took him a couple of hours from start til finish

6) Any tips to share with our readers? Anything you would do differently? Anything you wish you'd known at the start?

I would've liked to have known that each piece slightly overlaps the other, unfortunately you can see the raised bit underneath, doesn't look as good as it would if it was 100% flat and smooth.

7) Are you happy with the finished product?

I would give 8/10 (only thing disappointing is the overlapping edges)

Cheers!
Kylie

BEFORE

AFTER

Dolphins Paradise Wall Mural Wallpaper

How to attract customers into your shop.

2011-08-04T09:43:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

Times are tough right now for Retailers and it is more important than ever to do everything you can to get those customers into your shop.

I came across this article today and want to share it with you all as more and more of my customers these days are Retailers. I hope you find it helpful.

Do shoppers walk right past your store without coming in?

Do you know what attracts customers into your store? Do you know how to keep your shoppers' interest and get them to explore your merchandise? Are you using merchandising techniques to guide shoppers through your store and get them to buy?

Poor merchandising not only stops potential customers from opening the door and coming in...it puts up a wall, stopping customers who come in from buying. When you understand how to avoid those pitfalls, and learn how to attract customers instead, you'll be able to keep them coming back for more.

What is merchandising anyway?

Merchandising really just means selling. It's everything you do to sell your product to the consumer.
When I talk about merchandising, I am referring to how you use your physical store to sell. That includes your store front, store design, lighting, store layout, furnishings or fixtures, merchandise placement, displays, signs and graphics.

Many retailers struggle to put these things together in a way that works. You might think merchandising is a secret ability that some people have, and others don't.
It's not. Merchandising consists of basic skills and steps that you can learn. Knowing how merchandising attracts customers takes away the guesswork. You learn what works and what doesn't. You become more confident about your business. You're able to measure your results.

The purpose of this website

I began Inspire Retail Solutions because I wanted to pass on what I've learned about retail. In my work I discovered that many retailers lack confidence and knowledge about merchandising and display. They feel merchandising is the area they need to improve the most, and don't know how.
If you're like them, you have great ideas & products, but struggle to attract enough customers. By passing on the knowledge I have gained from my education and 20+ years of experience, I can help you be more successful.

I love making things work better. And I love teaching. I get the biggest kick in my business when I have a client that says, "I get it! Now that you've explained to me how it works, it all makes sense. I can do this!"
In this website, you'll find information you can use to transform your store into one your customers will love.

Where do I start?

Get started now by subscribing to the Retail Tips email newsletter. When you subscribe, you'll also get access to the free report, Attracting Customers: Steps to Getting More Customers In The Door. The report will give you some ideas you can implement in your store right away. Make sure you share the report with others on your team, so you can all work together to attract shoppers.

Now, click the button to get started.

From rainy Vancouver,

Melanie McIntosh
Inspire Retail Solutions
P.S. Don't forget to explore the site, in particular, jump over to the blog to read more merchandising articles. Or check out these ones first:
Why Is Retail Merchandising Important?
Why You'll Never Have Time For Merchandising: 10 Daily Actions For Success
The Secret Grocery Retailers Know (And You Should Too)
Is Your Merchandise Plan Working Backwards?

Peel & Stick versus Traditional Wallpaper

2011-07-20T09:38:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo ( adapted from a post by EasyWallz )

Traditional Wallpaper

We’ve all had issues with traditional wallpaper.

1) Traditional wallpaper is not easy to install. Far from it. The glue is very messy and must be cleaned immediately.

2) The services of a professional is often required for proper installation at a cost per wall of approx $400+

3) Finally, when the time comes to remove it, the real nightmare begins. Removing wallpaper without damage is difficult. Due to the glue, it is common for the dry wall to come off with the paper, causing you to have to replace it.

Who hasn’t dream t of redecorating (starting with the walls) without all the hassle?

Learn More

Peel and Stick Wall Murals offer all the advantages of traditional wallpaper without its drawbacks. They create an extraordinary look in an instant, transforming your walls to meet your desires and inspirations.

Anything is possible: from the tropical beaches of the Caribbean to the icy landscapes of Antarctica, from the dense Amazon jungle to the hustle of urban cities…

Peel and Stick Wall Murals will recreate any environment of your choice onto your walls. And the icing on the cake is that you can even create your own Peel and Stick Wall Mural from your personal photos, for a truly unique result!

Discover an innovative wall decor that will not go unnoticed! A new kind of wallpaper, removable, reusable and glue-less that is bringing forward traditional wall coverings to new and exciting fronts. A perfect solution for those who don’t want to commit to one look and those who just don’t want to deal with the hassle of traditional wallpaper.

Welcome Peel and Stick Wall Murals!

Which Wallpaper Mural brand should you choose?

2011-07-13T20:23:00.003+12:00

By Muralismo

I have had a lot of interest in our new product line and our Custom mural service but a stumbling block for some is price.

Price is important but it is also important to compare apples with apples.

Lets first look at what each brand gives you for your money and the pluses and minuses of each option.

The CHEAPEST Wallpaper mural that we stock is the Walltastic brand.

Our supplier is in New Zealand and we can get items back into stock when they sell out within a few days.

Walltastic is a brightly coloured range designed exclusively for children

Mermaid the latest release from Walltastic

Walltastic murals can be installed by a paperhanger for $400+ or be installed by anyone who has successfully installed wallpaper before. They take around 2 hours to install.

Pluses

* They are very affordable
* They are perfect for Children
* They are great for transforming a child's bedroom or brightening a waiting room or kindergarten.
* They can be trimmed to fit most standard walls.

Minuses

* The selection is limited
* They have nothing suitable for adults or commercial use
* They are permanent like ordinary wallpaper so tenants cannot use them
* They are available in ONE size only
* They take two hours to install

Environmental Graphics is a range designed for mainly adult use.
It is our mid range priced brand.

World Map Wallpaper Mural

Our supplier is in America and when items sell out they stay sold out for months.

Environmental Graphics murals can be installed by a paperhanger for $400+ or be installed by anyone who has successfully installed wallpaper before. They take around 2 hours to install.

Pluses

* They are similar in price to ordinary wallpaper
* They can be used in Adult rooms as well as children's rooms
* Some are suitable for business use such as cafes.
* They can be trimmed to fit most standard walls.
* There is a good range of designs to choose from

Minuses

* They take two hours to install
* They are permanent like ordinary wallpaper so tenants cannot use them
* They are available in ONE size only

EasyWallz Peel & Stick Murals

EasyWallz is the most expensive brand that we stock.

Peel & Stick Blossoming Cherry trees

Easywallz is a revolutionary new product. The murals are made from a special material that can be re used over and over and customers can use either their own images or ours.

We stock ten designs ready made for those who don't want to wait for a custom order to be made and delivered.

Our manufacturer is in Canada but Custom orders can be delivered in approx two weeks.

Pluses

* They can be custom made into any size the customer requires
* The customer has a huge range of images to choose from including their own photos.
* They are suitable for both Commercial and Residential use

* They can be installed in MINUTES no skill required.
* No need to pay a Paperhanger $400+
* They can be applied to any smooth, flat surface
* They can be moved from wall to wall as they are re usable making them PERFECT for tenants or businesses that want to change their look with the seasons.

* They allow Commercial and Interior designers to order a totally unique look for their client.
* There is no International shipping charge on the Peel & Stick murals that we have in stock in 10 designs and two sizes.
* There is no extra fee for customizing a wall mural.

Minuses

* There is an international shipping charge on Custom orders. The cost depends on the size of the mural that you order and the exchange rate at the time. Expect to pay between $249-$319. An accurate quote can be obtained by filling out your requirements on our Custom Page

I hope you all found this post helpful.

Don't forget to check out our Photography competition that is currently running on Facebook. $200 is up for grabs and entering is easy.

Cadlow Mural World Photography Competition

2011-07-08T18:27:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

To promote the opening of our brand new website www.cadlow.co.nz and our custom wallpaper/ mural service we have hired Gopher to put together a Professional Photography competition on Facebook.

The winning photo will be added to our image gallery for custom Murals


					Do you love photography and interior design? Here’s your chance to have a picture that you’ve taken, featured in our gallery. Pictures featured in our gallery can be chosen by anyone as a wallpaper mural for their home, office, business or such. Check it out here! All you have to do is send us a photo that depicts New Zealand (Kiwiana or a NZ scene) to this email address: cadlow@gmail.com We will then add the pictures to our Facebook album where people can comment on them and Like them. At the end of July a professional photographer will choose the five best photographs and there will be a one week round of voting. If your photo gets the most votes, you’ll be the winner of $200 cash and will get to have your picture featured at www.cadlow.co.nz Entry requirements: File format: JPEG, TIFF, PSD, BMP, PNG, AI, EPS and PDF Size: Less than 50 MB Quality: High resolution image (minimum of 5000 px x 5000 px at 300 ppi). Don’t miss your chance to win! Remember to stay tuned and check out all the entries, the finalists and the winner announcement on the 8th of August!

Interior Designer Eleanor Steel's expert tips on Wallpaper

2011-07-05T08:48:00.000+12:00

NZ Homestyle Magazine article about Wallpaper

I subscribe to NZ Homestyle Magazine and enjoyed interior Designer Eleanor Steel's expert tips on Wallpaper. To read the full article you need to buy the magazine.

One of the things she says is that......in recent years wallpaper has hit our walls with enthusiasm, and as many of us put the painted feature wall behind us, wallpaper is sweeping through our interiors like a familiar face at a party. It makes us smile, it’s exciting and it provides a design element that is as changeable as the wind.

I plan to contact Eleanor soon to tell her about our new product Easywallz which REALLY provides a design element that is changeable as the wind as it can be put up in MINUTES and re-used over and over.

Really, it is the wallpaper worlds version of curtains.

No other brand allows you to MOVE it and re use it.

No other brand allows tenants to add this high impact design element to their rented homes.

No other brand allows a business such as a shop to change its wall with the seasons.

Eleanor says that while wallpaper is more expensive than most paint it doesn't have to be. I think she means that you do not need to cover all your walls with it. She says to think of it as Art. One wall can be enough, you can wallpaper a section of the wall as a feature or use it as a bed head.

She says to shop around online and mentions digital printing which has projected wallpaper into the realms of virtual reality with amazing effect.

Speaking of virtual reality check out this brick wallpaper that I am adding today to our image library for our Custom Murals.

By Muralismo

Cadlow Mural World's New Website

2011-06-20T11:07:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

When I first asked my web designer to create a new website for Cadlow Mural World I did not have the ability to offer Custom Peel & Stick Murals to my customers.
This business opportunity occurred half way through the web design.

On the plus side it allowed me to change the site so that a Custom service could be included. It also allowed me to adjust the categories to include ready made Peel & Stick Murals in 10 designs and two different sizes. On the minus side it seriously slowed down the whole process as uploading images to the Custom image library and creating new listings is my job.

I am not particularly IT minded and the new website does not come with instructions on how to do things so I have had to learn the hard way. ( don't you hate that? ) One example was the images. They weren't organised by brand so I made three folders, one for Walltastic, One for Environmental Graphics and one for EasyWallz.
I then smiled at my organisation and re checked the site only to find that the images had DISAPPEARED from dozens of listings! I then had to individually upload them ( from my newly organised folders ) in order to fix the problem.That is only one example of my stuff ups :)

I haven't been given the go ahead to go live yet and I am still waiting on answers from my designer regarding how to set shipping charges.

However it can't be too far away now and I am looking forward to announcing it.

To celebrate and promote the website I am going to be announcing a Facebook photo competition. The winner of it will have their image placed in the New Zealand section of our Custom Image library and will win $200 CASH. I am going to find a Professional Photographer to judge the entries ( but more on that later )

Well that's enough from me for now. I'd better get back to packaging sales for the courier and uploading more amazing images for our custom Mural library.
I can hardly wait until we can FINALLY go live!

A Tale of two Murals.

2011-05-31T13:23:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

Last week I had an informative e-mail conversation with a customer who was coming back to purchase a second mural. The first mural the customer purchased was this one that is made in Switzerland.

On Special NOW Buy it HERE.

It is printed on fine art paper and is thinner than our two main ranges of Murals. It was on special as we have decided to no longer stock that brand and wanted to get rid of the last of our stock.

Here is what the customer had to say.

" I purchased the bookcase mural and had it pasted up on the wall in our study and looks amazing, although it was a very hard paper to not only paste but put up.
My husband is a professional painter, decorator and wall paper hanger for many years...and was not all that impressed with this type of paper from the country it was imported from...BUT...is prepared to take a chance on what I have just purchased again...knowing it came from the US.

Here's hoping it is easier this time around..... but I'm sure it would look great because this is yet another mural I love the look of."

After receiving that feedback and a photo from the customer of the installed bookcase mural I was very interested in hearing her spouses opinion on the Environmental Graphics Brand mural that she had selected for her second purchase as I believe it to be a superior brand that has been around for a very long time and is highly recommended by professional paperhangers.

I didn't have to wait long because the day it arrived her husband went to work and that afternoon I received the following photos and e-mails.

Good morning Juana,
Thank you so much again for the prompt delivery of the mural, it arrived just in time as the room had just finished being papered of the surrounding walls.

We were just having morning tea and the courier pulled up, so very pleased to receive it.
Your service is the best I have received and the wrapped packaging is fantastic.

Then soon after ( boy that hubby of hers is good! ) I received this e-mail.

Hi again,
Just wanted to send you some photos of the beautiful mural that was hung today in the room, we live in the xxxxxxxx and surrounded by bush and this mural just blended in so well with the trees through the window.

My husband highly praised the quality of this paper and was very impressed.

I had checked your website and some of the murals I really liked were no longer available which is a shame.
Would I be able to use the voucher (again, thank you) for a discount off the next mural?

I don't know about you dear readers but I was blown away by how the view outside the bedroom matched the mural inside. You couldn't PLAN it to work out so well. The leaves outside were just the right colour and size and the tree trunks so similar to the ones in the Morning Forest Mural it was SPOOKY :)

If there was a prize for most effective design selection, then this customer and her husband would surely win it. I have always thought of using a mural in terms of creating an inside view and making the focus on the inside or distracting the occupant from a lack lustre view outside. I had never thought about actually complementing or enhancing the view seen through the windows.

This example really brings the outside in as though there is no wall at all. I just LOVE it.
I hope to have more and more customer examples to share with you all soon as I am including a $20 voucher bribe with most Mural purchases to encourage customers to share their photos with us.

If you would like one of your own you can buy it HERE

A SIMPLE way to display what you LOVE.

2011-05-20T11:34:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

The post below from 'Simple Things' highlights one of the many features of Easywallz Murals.

Easywallz is a very SIMPLE way to display the people, things and activities that you love.

Easywallz is such a PERSONAL product because it can be whatever you want it to be.

What do you love?

From from the Blog, Simple Things

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Treasure Box 15

Find 1 ... Let's say for arguments' sake, that you live in a surfing family! How cool would it be to wake up each morning to this on your walls ... this beautiful photo is an adhesive photo, that you apply to the wall.

[from EazyWallz, via Alkemie ... ]

A leading Interior Designer demonstrates Easywallz on T.V

2011-05-19T12:59:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

Easywallz is coming to New Zealand and I am doing a series of Blog Posts to talk about the MANY features that make me so excited about stocking this product.

In this post there is a link to a T.V show that was made this year. In it an Interior Designer shows the audience two examples of an Easywallz mural as part of a whole designer look that she has put together in the studio.

Easywallz on T.V

The feature that I will highlight today is the portability of this amazing product. The designer mentions how when you want to change your look in your lounge you can easily peel off the mural and move it to another room. Just try doing that with your expensive designer wallpaper some time!

You spend all that money to achieve a designer look but when you tire of it that's that. What a waste! Now, like with designer curtains you can MOVE your Easywallz mural to another room, pass it on to a friend or family, sell it or give it away to some lucky person.

The part of the T.V show that I liked the most was when the second Easywallz Mural was revealed to the presenter of the show by the Interior Designer. Her reaction when she saw a Mural of her two children was priceless.

Graffiti Goes Glam.

2011-05-18T11:09:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

Today's Blog post features a page from the Canadian magazine, House and Home. It is one of many pages I will be sharing with you all over the coming weeks.

What all the articles I will share with you will have in common is that they will all feature Easywallz.

Easywallz is a revolutionary new product that is so versatile that it really needs its own category, as it is so different to any other Mural product out there.

There are so MANY features, that I could rave on and on.

Today however, I will highlight one feature only.

It is the ability to MAKEOVER a room in minutes.

Yes, you heard me right. Not days, not hours, MINUTES.

No need for a paperhanger at $450 a pop or for a pasting brush or paste.

No more waiting for your other half to get around to putting it up for you.

You can do it yourself quickly and EASILY.

Available soon from Cadlow Mural World

Easywallz is soon going to be available in New Zealand.

2011-05-17T13:23:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

I am jumping up and down with excitement this week because Easywallz is soon going to be available in New Zealand through Cadlow Mural World

What is Easywallz I hear you ask. Well, I was going to do a long Blog post to tell you all about this cutting edge new product but since another Blogger has already done it I will instead share their excitement with you.

Subscribe To Alkemie's

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Easy Walls - New Meaning to Wall Art and Large Scale Wall Decor

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I certainly added

some inches to the waistline... I recently discovered a wonderful site

called EazyWallz. They have all kinds of large scale photographic art

and illustrations that can be adhered to walls for instant impact at a

reasonable price. This photograph of a temple in Angkor Wat in

Cambodia is already amazing on it's on.

Who could imagine that on a large scale, it makes a fantastic backdrop

to a dining room. Isn't the ambiance amazing? Peel and stick starting

from around $230 and up depending on the size. It's less work than

paint (just gotta make sure it goes on straight...)

Macro photos - Coffee lovers anyone?

This is really fun - a photo of a red brick wall.

Who needs the real thing?

Sweet tooth?

They have a collection of all kinds of prints.

What's more, you can custom design your own with your own

photos or illustrations. Larger than life portrait of your kids?

A favorite personal photo? They can create it for you.

Over the top rosy pink.

Such a soothing photo.

Makes for such a great backdrop.

Love the colors in this photo.

For ocean and water lovers.

This is such fantastic print for a child's room.

See?

Or a fantastical airship. You can save your money on having paint a

custom mural by using one of these floor to ceiling installations.

This is a super cool samurai silhouette.

For all of you patriots. They have a Union Jack and Canadian flag as well.

Fantastic quirky photos.

The classic cityscapes.

For a music room?

Great for a child's bedroom that loves animals or the outdoors.

African Safari written all over this one. I love

silhouette photos and this one is very striking.

Can't ever leave out a beach photo.

What's amazing is that you can stick it not only on walls but also

Kitchen cabinets. Basically any smooth surface.

Love the color palette of this super chic and feminine dining room.

It could just as easily be masculine with a different accent color.

I've been really loving gray lately and this is a lovely

gray, black and white dining room with silver accents.

Autumn lovers would love this image and color hue.

There are no shortage of images for nature lovers.

Retro prints?

Chic and Modern.

Hotel style room.

As you can tell, I got really carried away and this sort of became a megapost.

If you haven't had a chance to check out EazyWallz - definitely do so. I had a

great time browsing through all the different photos and illustrations. I would

love to an installation like this for a room, now just to figure out where to put

one... What are your favorites? Which room or hallway would you put one

of these installations?

Photos from EazyWallzC

Coming to New Zealand SOON Cadlow Mural World

The Story of Mikko's Room

2011-05-11T20:17:00.000+12:00

The Original article

Article from Baby Bites
Photos by Jessica Beth Gibson

The land before time

18 February 2011

For regular babybites readers, this room may look a tad familiar. That’s because it’s a revamp of Kasper’s Room we featured a while back. Only, the room no longer belongs to Kasper, instead his brother Mikko has moved in, along with the land of dinosaurs.

The massive wall mural at one end of the room not only makes for a fabulous feature wall, but gives Mikko his entrance into a completely different world. His mum Jess has completed the theme with a fabulous ‘grass’ rug and duvet covers from Ikea. I love that the white wall shelf made by the boys Great Grandfather remains on the wall.

Thank you so much Jess for sharing again!! I’m now hanging out for Jess to unveil Kasper and Finn’s super hero room… those are 3 lucky little boys!

Want the same look? BUY your Walltastic Dinosaur Mural HERE!

BUY our Paperhanging Kit to make installation EASY!

Save TIME and MONEY as we will ship BOTH for FREE!

The Story of George's Room

2011-05-10T16:18:00.000+12:00

By Kate Verry

**Taken from an entry in the Huggies NZ Best Room designs competition

The original article

After losing our home to a fire Xmas 2009, boy was only 20months old when we lost his little boys room. We rented a house for about 10months whilst we rebuilt but his room was very simple as we could not really decorate as if it were our own. When the house was almost complete and with a couple of things ready for his bedroom, we found this WALLTASTIC mural which worked perfectly with the colour scheme we were going for and was perfect as we are "friends of the Napier aquarium’ which he loves.

Sharks, pirate ships, nemo and more…what boy wouldnt like this!! So we put the wall paper up, painted his shelf the same colour as we could get for a blind and the rest is decoration. My husband also found the painting on trade me and put up starlight stickers of the solar system for him to enjoy at night time.

Together the themes work well together. Also as I am Australian we put animals on his cupboard doors to represent the little aussie in him aswell. Losing his toys and his home were very stressful on us all and in particular on George as he kind of understood. Moving to the rental was not easy and so we knew that when we moved back to our newly built home that we would have to make the transition as easy as possible. Thus the wallpaper was very special and he was there when we put it up, even helping as much as he could. We made a big deal of it being his new room and he even helped pack boxes of his toys to bring. He absolutely adores his room and is always showing people “his new room” whether its for the first time or the tenth time!!

animals on his cupboard doors to represent the little aussie in him

starlight stickers of the solar system

BUY the exact same Walltastic mural HERE.

WATCH our Remote controlled Real Wax Candles in action.

2011-05-06T08:58:00.000+12:00

Your Mum would love these.

**The remote also allows you to change from a steady 'flame' to a flickering ‘flame’, change the brightness of the 'flame' and also the length of time the candles are on for.

This incredibly realistic product was reviewed on The New Zealand Homestyle Magazine Blog recently.

INSTANT ROMANCE just push a button!

Setting the MOOD has never been so EASY.

PERFECT for bedrooms

PERFECT for outdoor tables as they will never blow out.

Gift pack of THREE LED Flameless Candles.

NO flame
Safe.
Batteries INCLUDED**
With remote control.

Why would you ever light a flame again?

Three Flameless LED Candles operated by remote control

A great GIFT – straight out of the box.

These Flameless LED Candles are made from REAL wax and are battery operated.
They look like and feel like the real thing and are safe to use.
Turn them on and off with the remote control.

The three candles measure 10 cm, 12 cm and 15 cm in height and all measure 7 cm in diameter.

The standard AA batteries allow for up to 200 hours of ‘flame’ time.

All batteries are included.

Remote control flameless candles can be placed in nooks, alcoves or anyplace that it's inconvenient to reach for manual activation.
JUST POINT the hand-held remote and click on/off - it's that SIMPLE.
Put beautiful flameless candles in places you never dreamed possible before

NO MESS: Candle light flickers just like a real candle but without the mess of dripping wax or the hazard of an open flame.

Get your own set HERE

CAN I install a Wallpaper Mural in a Bathroom?

2011-05-05T08:40:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

I am often asked by customers if they can install a wallpaper mural in a bathroom or other high-moisture area.

The answer is YES.

The installed wall mural must be coated with a water-based polyurethane (several light coats) to protect it from moisture after installation.
In addition, if you suspect moisture exists behind the wall, an adhesive containing a mildewcide should be used.

Our Wide Range of Wallpaper Murals

We are now on Youtube oh what FUN

2011-05-03T17:05:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

What an interesting day I have had. I had to do Business Tax, Trust Tax and our Personal Tax UGH and wanted ANY excuse to get away from it and NOT do it.
Guess what I discovered to fill my time?

Yes, Video making on Youtube. It is a legitimate Business strategy ( wink ) and best of all is FUN, unlike doing tax UGH!

The music and moving pictures in 60secs ( none of my vids are over a minute in length ) quickly give you a feel for our Main products.

If you view them please feel free to leave a comment. I am a total amateur but I do like the creativity of it.

FANTASTIC Children's Murals

Handpainted Murals in a box!

Transform Your Space with Cadlow Mural World

MORE Amazing Murals from Cadlow Mural World

HOW to use Wallpaper to Cover a Paneled or Cement Block Wall

2011-05-02T10:26:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

Hi everyone. This morning a customer asked me if they could put one of our Wallpaper Murals onto a painted concrete block wall. I found the following helpful article for them that says YES they can and explains HOW to do it.

Wallpaper Ideas: Use to Cover Paneled or Cement Block Walls

Heather M. Marlman, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Apr 11

If your home has paneled or cement block walls, then paint isn't your only option when it comes to updating the look of the room. With a little preparation work, both of these types of surfaces can be covered effectively with wallpaper. By following these simple tips the room you thought you were stuck with forever can breathe new life again!

Before attempting to wallpaper your paneled or cement block walls, you must first find wallpaper liner at your local home improvement or wallpaper store. Wallpaper liner is essentially a heavy-duty unprinted paper that is applied to the wall before you put the printed paper on the walls. The wallpaper liner leaves a smooth surface for the wallpaper to grip, and because of it's thickness it can cover a lot of unevenness in the walls. However, the wallpaper liner alone won't cover everything, so it's necessary to do some prep work to your walls before you begin.

On paneled walls, start with nailing down loose seam or panels. Be sure to pull out any loose nails and replace with drywall screws if necessary to secure the paneling solidly to the wall. Since most paneling is grooved, use a surfacing compound to fill in the grooves and provide a more level surface to adhere the wallpaper liner to the wall. Once the surfacing compound has dried, use a 200 grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface for the wallpaper liner to be attached.

On cement block walls, it's important to first check for signs of mildew or efflorescence, which can appear as a powdery reside on the wall. Signs of either of these can mean that there is excessive moisture in the block, making it unlikely to accept wallpaper. Concrete block walls in basements are especially susceptible to excess moisture. If you feel that your concrete walls are in good enough condition to proceed, then use surfacing compound to fill in any cracks or spaces in the block and sand the wall the same as you would with a paneled wall.Regardless of the surface you're dealing with, it's important to clean the walls with a 50-50 mixture of ammonia and water or a trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner. Wash the walls thoroughly to remove any buildup
of dust or grease and rinse with water until it runs clear. Allow the surface to dry completely for at least 24 hours before proceeding further.

Once your walls have completely dried, paint them with a combination of primer/sealer/sizing. The primer/sealer/sizing combination used to be a three part application, but can now be achieved by applying one product to the wall. The sealer prevents water, smoke and other stains from showing through the paper. Primer provides a smooth surface for the paper to stick too, and the sizing is a thin wallpaper paste that soaks into the pores to prevent the paste from soaking through.

When your primer/sealer/sizing has dried, it's time to apply the wallpaper liner to the wall. Wallpaper liner is sold unpasted, which means it's necessary to apply a layer of wallpaper paste to the back of the liner before attaching it to the wall. Put the strips of wallpaper liner on the wall horizontally, so that the seams of the liner and the actual wallpaper won't fall in the same location.

Once the wallpaper liner has completely dried, inspect it for any high or low spots and then hang your wallpaper as you would do on any other wall.

By taking a few extra steps in the wallpaper process, no wall is off limits and you're free to let your creative side go wild!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now wasn't that a USEFUL article. Thank you Heather.

If you aren't already following us we would LOVE you to start now.

We have a competition running at the moment on Facebook.

Become a facebook FAN and you will have a chance to WIN a $30 voucher every day this week!

FOLLOW us on Facebook
http://on.fb.me/i5zEDp

SUBSCRIBE to our Blog
http://cadlowmuralworld.blogspot.com

We are giving away a $30 SHOPPING VOUCHER EVERYDAY

2011-05-01T20:21:00.000+12:00

Cadlow Mural World

WIN A $30 SHOPPING VOUCHER EVERYDAY on Facebook. http://on.fb.me/i5zEDp

WE ARE GIVING AWAY A $30 Cadlow Mural World SHOPPING VOUCHER
EVERYDAY, FOR THE WHOLE WEEK*

That way you can choose your favourite things straight from our website.
How cool is that?

The winner will be announced each day.
*Monday 2nd May through to Friday 6th May 2011

Tell your friends and Good luck and thanks for your support.

Muralismo

HOW to change the knobs on a Dresser

2011-04-30T09:55:00.000+12:00

By montytravels, eHow User

Homestyle Magazine's Latest Blog Post

2011-04-29T11:05:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

I am thrilled to reproduce here the Blog post about our product written by Homestyle Magazine's Designer Amber. Homestyle Magazine featured our NZ shaped acrylic mirrors in their magazine late last year and also did a Blog post last year on the transformation of a dresser by one of our customers using our popular glass knobs.

Here it is for you all to enjoy ( hot off the press )

Romance at the Flick of a Button

Posted by Amber - Designer - 28/04/2011

Our Favourite Things

Everyone knows that lighting a few candles can instantly set the scene for a romantic dinner or relaxing night indoors, so I was interested to find these battery opperated LED flameless candles. Although dubious to start, I think the candles are awesome! Made from real wax, they not only look the part but have the option of a flickering flame, just like the real thing. Controlled by a remote you can adjust the light levels to suit the mood from across the room.

Apart from the ease of remote control these candles are great around children, as there is no flame for little fingers to get burnt in and no risk of fire.

My favourite thing about these candles is that you can take them outside or display in a drafty room and there is no problem with the candles blowing out! Available from Cadlow Mural World I think these are a must have for romantic nights in as the weather gets cooler.

Special Easter Mural by very talented Muralist

2011-04-22T12:49:00.000+12:00

The event that the Easter celebration is all about.

View more of

Joe Mckinney
Muralist, of Greenville, South Carolina's Murals here. http://www.findamuralist.com/muralartist/joe-mckinney-greenville-united-states

Muralismo wishes all our readers a very Happy Easter Holiday.

DIY Photo competition for our Facebook Fans

2011-04-21T19:45:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

I want to give away to one of our Facebook Fans either

A Remote controlled LED Wax Candle Gift Set

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/982/instant-romance-3-led-real-wax-candles-with-remote/

or


$85 worth of glass, ceramic or crystal knobs of their choice

I want FANs to send in a photo of their latest DIY project around their home along with a short explanation of what they did. The photo that gets the MOST likes will be the winner.

The winner then can tell me which of the above two options they want as a prize and I will ship it to them NZ Wide.

**Out of NZ Fans can take part but if the cost of shipping overseas exceeds $15 NZ dollars they will need to pay the balance required.

The competition will close when 100 Fans have been achieved. We already have 52 Fans so it should not take long at all.

I look forward to seeing your photos and stories. What have you been up to? Painted the bedroom? Upcycled a chest of drawers? Made some curtains? Polished the floor boards? Stripped a wooden fireplace? decorated a plant pot? Painted a Mural? Sewed a duvet cover?

Post your photo and story to our facebook page here http://on.fb.me/f3REiR

WIN a remote controlled LED Candle GIFT Pack

2011-04-14T14:01:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

I want 200 Fans on our Facebook page http://on.fb.me/f3REiR so have devised the following competition.

Tell your friends to like us and to comment on our facebook page http://on.fb.me/f3REiR that you sent them.

Once 200 Fans have been achieved the person who has referred the MOST fans will WIN this MAGIC remote controlled LED Flameless candle set valued at $84.99.

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/982/instant-romance-3-led-real-wax-candles-with-remote/

We will courier deliver it to the winner NZ Wide.

The competition is open to NZ residents ONLY.

**Remember to ask the people you refer, to comment on our page http://on.fb.me/f3REiR saying that YOU sent them.

Green Apple Painting : Muralist Extraordinaire

2011-04-14T09:48:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

I came across this very talented Muralist online and saw how similar a number of his wonderful creations were to our ' off the rack ' wallpaper Mural designs.
After watching a number of his very cool you tube videos that show him transforming some lucky individuals room I decided to provide my readers with some comparisons.

http://www.gogreenapple.com/id83.html

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/885/spiderman-wall-mural-wallpaper-kids-children-new/

http://www.gogreenapple.com/id83.html

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/824/transport-yourself-to-hawaii-in-only-two-hours/

http://www.gogreenapple.com/id83.html

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/827/suffer-from-boring-wall-syndrome-relief-from-240/

http://www.gogreenapple.com/id85.html

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/822/instant-trompe-l-oeil-just-add-wallpaper-paste/

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/846/uzzano-mural-wallpaper-feature-wall/

Tips on using Candles to Create Ambiance

2011-04-12T08:48:00.000+12:00

Getting a “decorator look” at home is quite simple using pillar candles. You can use inexpensive items to make a visually appealing group of pillar candles.

By Muralismo

It is getting colder and I am starting to winter proof my house. Cosy throws on the furniture, oil heaters in the bedrooms and warm colours on the beds.

I don't have a fireplace unfortunately but I DO have one on DVD which looks amazingly realistic when played on our large screen. It creates all the atmosphere of a real blazing fire without any of the mess or effort associated with the real thing.

Todays's tips were taken from a Blog post by Alicia Vilas. Many of her warnings regarding Candle safety can be disregarded if you substitute real pillar candles for our real wax, LED candles.

By Alicia Vilas

Begin by selecting 3 pillar candles that are not identical in height, but they shouldn’t vary too much in size. It is nice to keep them the same color, but mixing the colors can create breathtaking and dramatic decorative accents. Different wax textures in the same color also looks great. When grouping them together think in terms of layering. You can bring one forward and tuck one a bit behind the other so that they seem to overlap each other. Remember to leave a space between each candle to avoid burning into each other’s sides.

Another great tip is to wrap your pillar candles with decorative ribbon or raffia. You can tie a ribbon around one pillar candle or a group of 3 candles.

A decorative ceramic dish, platter, bowl, or mirrored base makes a stunning arrangement with a large pillar candle such as a 3-wick candle or a clump of three candles. Fill the base with decorative stones, potpourri, sand, glass beads, silk flowers, seashells, or faux pearl necklaces and push the pillars down. Just remember to always be sure to burn candles on heat-resistant, inflammable surfaces and with surrounding decorative pieces that are not flammable. Some people choose not to burn candles when they have these stunning arrangements. Just keep in mind that safety always comes first.

Remember to decide on your focal point for pillar candle placement. In which area of the room do you wish your guest’s eyes to automatically go? You can find unusual spaces or corners to transform with your beautiful pillar candle arrangement. A great focal point is to cluster your pillar candles in front of a wall mirror or use a small mirror as the candle tray. The mirrors throw off more light when burning the candles.

Another great idea is to group pillar candles inside an unused fireplace, especially during the summer.
Try any of these ideas and you will see how you can easily add a warm inviting glow to your home. Place several arrangements around your home and hear the wonderful comments from family members and friends.

*Let me know what you think by posting a comment. If you have any other ideas on decorating with pillar candles, please add your idea in the comments section.
http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/67/candles-led-real-wax/

And the WINNER of $50 CASH is.................

2011-04-11T11:57:00.000+12:00


The Indiana Jones Hat to be used for the DRAW.


Our 41 New FANS to go in the DRAW


41 New FANS in the HAT

And the WINNER of $50 Cash is........... Di Hill


Di Hill

Congratulations Di and what an interesting Facebook photo you have :)

Bright future with Disney fake Candles

2011-04-06T21:40:00.000+12:00

Extract from an article by Jan Norman

If you've visited Disneyland's Haunted Mansion in recent years, you might have noticed the flickering candles and wondered about the risk of open flames in such a setting.
That effect, like so much at the Happiest Place on Earth, is illusory. The candles are really LED lights created so realistically by Disney Imagineer Gary Schnuckle that they are patented.

Peter Smith is the founder of Candella a Newport Beach company that is using Disney technology to make flameless candles.

Facts:

•65,000 home fires are caused by candles each year.

•95 percent of dormitories at U.S. universities prohibit open-flame candles.

By Muralismo

The LED flameless candles we have for sale in New Zealand at http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/67/candles-led-real-wax/
are even BETTER than the original product mentioned in this article February of last year.

Our candles are REAL WAX so they LOOK, FEEL and SMELL like real candles.

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/67/candles-led-real-wax/

You even have the option of BLOW ON BLOW OFF models in a range of colours

OR
Remote controlled gift packs of three.

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/67/candles-led-real-wax/

Why you should use colours of the 1950's when you decorate

2011-04-05T12:22:00.000+12:00

By Muralismo

Let me tell you WHY you should use colours of the 1950's when you decorate.

The SOFT gentle colours of the 1950's recall a different age. An age where Mum did lots of baking and served her family large meals on their cheerful Formica table. When I step into a kitchen or cafe done up in these ice cream colours I just go aaaawwwww. It sends me mushy. I remember my Nana and how her kitchen used to smell. Delicious home baking using REAL butter and cups of sugar. No concern then about being healthy, just sweet and tasty and golden brown goodness.

I must be a girly girl cause this pink SMEG fridge makes me sigh in envy.
In the below link you can view authentic 1950's paint colours so you can make your 1950's project as realistic as possible.

http://www.populuxebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=694

The next link is for my New Zealand readers so that they can source the kind of paint colours they are after.
http://www.dulux.co.nz/colour/colour-gallery/hues-gallery

Aren't the soft mint cupboards delicious in this photo? The colours are so soft and gentle that the whole effect is one of peace and good old fashioned simplicity.

We have the same yummy pink and mint in our ceramic knob range as well as the all time favourite of cream. Applying these shades to your furniture and accessorising with our knobs will ensure a Fifties feel.
Alternatively use them on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Delicious!

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/951/six-antique-cream-ceramic-door-knobs-drawer-handle/

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/955/two-antique-green-ceramic-door-knobs-drawer-handle/

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/910/six-antique-pink-ceramic-door-knobs-drawer-handles/

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/70/b-vintage-knobs/

5 Quick & Easy Ways to Personalize an Apartment Kitchen

2011-03-31T08:00:00.000+13:00

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/70/b-vintage-knobs/

As a renter with very little control over the architecture of my home, I'm constantly thinking of ways to personalize the decor without paint or construction. Removable wallpaper is something I've been considering, but the price tag isn't exactly appealing. Here are a few quick and inexpensive tweaks I've made to our little kitchen, with no worries for the landlord.

* Install cup hooks under upper cabinets to display your cup collection.

Remove a cupboard door to display neatly organized dishes. (Believe me, my other cupboards do not look so pretty inside!)
Exchange old cabinet hardware for new knobs and handles — easily switched out during a move.
Hang textiles, such as aprons on the walls, or nice looking tea towels on cabinet doors. (Just make sure your wet towels don't drape on unprotected wood doors!)
Hang art on the walls. Small kitchens might not have a lot of wall space, but take advantage of the space you have.

If you're interested in seeing more of my little kitchen, check out the before and after below. Images: Amanda Johnson

Before & After: Small Apartment Kitchen Brightened

Before signing the lease of my dream apartment, I asked the landlord if I could pretty please paint the kitchen cabinets. Armed with a two-year lease, he agreed to not only give me permission to work on the kitchen, but he also supplied the paint.

There were 4 layers of paint underneath the blue, which made for long hours of stripping with scrapers and heat guns. Fortunately, my father has a spray gun and air compressor, which made the actual painting process a breeze.

After the doors were ready, I decided to leave off the mis-matched hardware of the wood cabinets and also one of the rear cabinet doors. I was able to convince the landlord to remove the old double-action door that kept the tiny room blocked off from the rest of the apartment. Now the bright light from the skylight can illuminate the adjacent rooms, and even entices me to do the dishes! (Sometimes.)
Images: Bill Malloy, Amanda Johnson

BIG Mural in a Little Bedroom

2011-03-30T07:53:00.000+13:00

Photo: Annie Schlechter

Okay, forget just hanging a painting at the head of the bed. This hyper-color bedroom takes it a step further with an entire mural wall acting as a headboard...

This bedroom looks like it might just be nestled into a little alcove that's partitioned off by those bright red drapes. The rear wall has been covered with what appears to be a gigantic blow-up of a mountain scene photograph. Between the mural, the bedspread and the curtains, this little bedroom nook packs quite a colorful punch.

We could see recreating this look in any number of the closet bedrooms we've seen here on AT.

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/829/the-crucial-product-4-achieving-design-success/

I think Harry would have liked the one above. It is certainly much more peaceful than the Forbidden Forest.

Or perhaps this one...

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/828/this-amazing-mural-will-change-your-room-forever/

Muralismo

How to Decoupage Furniture DIY Paper Projects

2011-03-29T07:48:00.000+13:00

By Lauren Flanagan

Decoupage Dresser Drawers - Daniele Lug

Decoupaging furniture is a great way to spruce up old or unfinished items. All it takes are a few basic supplies, a little bit of time, and some imagination.

Decoupage is the art of decorating items with paper. Decoupage can be used for a whole host of craft projects large and small, including dressing up furniture.

Instructions for How to Decoupage Furniture

Sometimes the methods will vary slightly depending on whether or not the furniture is finished or unfinished, rough or smooth, and what kind of paper is used. These instructions can be followed for basic pieces of furniture and paper of a regular stock.

Choose a piece of furniture to be decoupaged. If this is your first attempt a flat surface will be much easier than a curved one. Remember that it doesn't have to be the whole piece. A drawer front, the seat or back of a chair, or a tabletop can be done while leaving the rest.
Find a paper to use for the decoupage project. It can be wallpaper, giftwrap, a greeting card, photographs, or anything else you can come up with. Entire pieces can be used, or cut out shapes and designs that will work for the project.
Lay out the paper pictures on the surface in the way that you want the finished project to look. Then it's time to glue.

Gluing Paper and Photographs to Furniture

Using a water-based sealant glue (such as Mod Podge), or by diluting regular white glue with water, begin attaching the paper.
Spread the glue on the back of the paper picture with a paintbrush.
Lay down the picture on the surface in the chosen spot then smooth it out with a ruler (making sure there are no air bubbles trapped underneath.
Use a damp cloth to carefully wipe away any excess glue around the edges. Be careful not to move the paper while doing this.

Final Steps of Decoupaging Furniture

Once all of the images are glued into place, let them dry completely. Leave it 12-24 hours just to be certain.
When it's completely dry, apply a thin layer of water-based sealant glue or lacquer to the entire piece of furniture (with a paintbrush). It will act as a topcoat, sealing the design, and also give the piece an even, finished look.
After applying the first coat and letting it dry, have a look and see if a second is necessary.
Once it looks the way you want you're done!

The art of decoupage is actually quite simple. The key is finding the right paper pictures to apply, and placing them in a pleasing way. Whether it's a vintage poster applied to a chair, or botanical or floral wallpaper cutouts applied to a chest of drawers, decoupaged furniture can be very stylish, and best of all, fun to make.

By Muralismo

This Blog link http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/01/decoupage-goodness-make-your-monday.html has AMAZING photos of walls decoupaged with book pages. What an attractive alternative to wallpaper or a wall mural!

Here is an example of my own decoupage. A wooden tissue box that I bought from Spotlight in Panmure.

Now all I need to do is to find the perfect writing desk to upcycle with BOTH decoupage AND a set of of our beautiful glass knobs or handles.

I think I will use Rose covered wrapping paper to fit the Romantic Shabby Chic theme I will be trying to create.

Students having FUN Upcycling furniture

2011-03-28T09:48:00.000+13:00

When I was a kid I had a ' Thingie ' box.

In it my Mum would put old stuff, empty containers, wool, paper, plastic, bottle tops, you name it.
I would amuse myself for hours making ' Thingies ' out of the bits and pieces I would find in there

One creation I will never forget. My friend had a baby doll that wet itself so she could change its nappy. I wanted one so I set to work.

I turned an old DB beer can into the body of my ' baby.' Using a nail I made a hole in the bottom of the can and then threaded a straw through from top to bottom.

A number of improvements were added ( a head, arms and legs ) and then I fed my ' baby ' some water which went through the straw and wet the nappy! Success :)

I would have LOVED the challenge when I was the age of the below students to try my hand at making something new out of the bits and pieces put at their disposal.

Making NEW out of OLD

That’s what 15 students and designers did during a two day workshop. The participants got to choose whatever they wanted out of the delivery of furniture and objects provided by Fretex, to redesign or upcycle. The designers at Ralston & Bau coached the workshop and made sure everyone could bring home their finished product or furniture.
Floor lamps emerged out of table and stool legs, a wooden armchair was dressed in jeans and another one received 34 legs!

http://www.transplant.nu/?p=4862

Robotic Bread Box

Post-memphis Totemic lighting

Upcycled Throne

Gaetano Pesce Jean chair

Inspiring stuff.

The 12 DAY Mural and the 2 HOUR Mural

2011-03-26T10:21:00.000+13:00

We often sell our Murals to medical clinics as they want to TRANSFORM their waiting rooms into a relaxing environment for their clients.

Below is an example of a hand painted Mural in a Dentist's Clinic.
It took TWELVE days for the Artist to complete it.
http://www.murals.co.za/example-mural.htm

To achieve the same hand painted effect in Only TWO hours we have the following Murals for sale.

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/65/art-murals/

Kim's Fabulous Forest Mural

2011-03-25T08:59:00.000+13:00

Here is a striking example of how a mural can give an ordinary space the WOW factor.

The forest Mural used in this home brings the outside in and gives the space a feeling of tranquility.
http://www.google.com/reader/view/#search/Mural%20home/79

You CAN create the same look as Kim here in New Zealand.

We sell out of this POPULAR Mural regularly but do not despair. We have more on order and will reserve one for you if requested.
Go to http://www.cadlow.co.nz/product/829/the-crucial-product-4-achieving-design-success/

An Old Favourite, the NZ Shaped Acrylic Mirror

2011-03-23T09:07:00.000+13:00

Here at Cadlow Mural World we have been selling these Iconic mirrors for quite a while.

The small sized ones are particularly popular as they can be easily posted overseas for our customers who are feeling homesick or who have a Kiwi loved one living far away.

As they are made from acrylic they are light weight and hard to break and can be easily attached to the wall with velcro dots.

Late last year we were thrilled to be contacted by Homestyle Magazine asking if they could feature one of our mirrors in their bathroom feature. Of course we said YES.

If you are a proud Kiwi with good taste and a highly developed sense of style (wink) check them out here.....

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/47/nz-blackboards-mirrors/

INSTANT Romance has Arrived

2011-03-22T13:54:00.000+13:00

At LAST they have arrived. The shipment of flameless LED candles that I have been so eagerly anticipating.

My darling daughter was home sick so I roped her in as a model to demonstrate the blow ON, blow OFF capacity of the below range of REAL Wax candles. She loved them of course and chose a green one for her bedroom.

I however,will be snaffling a Gift Pack of the below Remote controlled candles.......

I like the fact that I have so many choices of how to use them. I can set them to be on for a 2-8 hour time period. I can dim the brightness, I can have it flickering like a real flame or just bright like a bulb. The choice is mine.

For years when I have complained to my hubby about the lack of Romance in our marriage he has replied, " well light a bloody candle ! " Now all I have to do is to push a button which is even easier :)

Flameless Real Wax Candles

2011-03-21T09:28:00.000+13:00

The below link raves about LED Flameless real wax candles.

I have to agree how fabulous they are as I have a shipment arriving this week.
I was blown away ( scuse the pun ) by them.

They look, smell and feel like normal candles. One type can be turned on and off by remote and the other can be blown out! and wait for it......they can be blown ON!

Here at Cadlow Mural World I look for products that will provide a quick and cost effective IMPACT to your home and these candles tick all the boxes.

INSTANT Romance is how I see them. A set will be gracing my boudoir as soon as they arrive :)

http://shessmart.com/mixed-bag-misc/flameless-candles-reviews/

http://tabletonic.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-you-need-enjoy-lightings-flameless.html

You can view our candle ads here.
http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/67/real-wax-led-candles/
They will go live the minute the stock arrives.

Album of our Walltastic Range completed today.

2011-03-20T14:27:00.000+13:00

I have spend part of this Sunday creating this album containing our fantastic range of Walltastic brand Children's Murals.

It took forever due to the rotten internet connection here but I got there in the end.

This example was based on the popular BBC series, ' Walking With Dinosaurs '

https://picasaweb.google.com/109507602105624053082/OurWalltasticRange?feat=directlink

I also have an album showing our full range of Environmental Graphics brand Murals which you can view here.

             I sold The Hawaiian Sunset shown above yesterday on Trademe.

                       http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=362242239

You can VIEW the whole Environmental Graphics Range below.

https://picasaweb.google.com/109507602105624053082/CadlowMuralWorldWallpaperMurals?feat=directlink

A Helping Hand for Japan

2011-03-19T14:33:00.000+13:00

A thought provoking Mural, reminding us to lend a helping hand to our Japanese brothers and sisters.

http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate

http://eyeteeth.blogspot.com/2011/03/bushwick-mural-overunder-no-touching.html

http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate

Share Your Wall Mural

2011-03-17T08:34:00.000+13:00

Share Your Wall Murals

What Does This Website Need? YOU!

What does this website need? It needs YOU - that's right, you! Do you have wall murals in your home that you would like to share? It's time to show and tell!

Show Off Your Mural!

E-mail us at cadlow@gmail.co.nz and attach your photo or photos.

It can be hand painted or another companies product. We don't care.

Send us your answers to the following questions as we would like to do a short post on you for our readers.

1) Why did you choose this Mural for your room?
2) What room did you put it in?
3) How hard was it to put up or paint?

4) Did you do it yourself or did you have help?
5) How long did it take you?
6) Any tips to share with our readers? Anything you would do differently? Anything you wish you'd known at the start?
7) Are you happy with the finished product?

Thanks for your contribution - it will help inspire and motivate others!

Before & After: Laura's " Simple & Cheap" Ottoman Redo

2011-03-16T09:09:00.000+13:00

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/before-after/before-after-lauras-simple-cheap-ottoman-makeover-141354

Wonderful examples like this one make me want to jump immediately onto Trademe in order to find my own piece of cheap furniture trash that I can transform into treasure.

New legs and New fabric made all the difference here and the result looks a million dollars.

New knobs like these ones can have the same effect on an old tired piece.

And so can a creative lick of paint.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=795609

Twig-tacular Style

2011-03-15T08:34:00.000+13:00

A little ingenuity and the result is a whole lot of style.
A fun project for a Rustic theme.

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/30682/lighting-up-your-life-with-a-twig-chandelier

If you want Twig handles to continue the theme go here...

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/80/handles/

Cadlow Mural World in the News??!!!

2011-03-14T15:43:00.000+13:00

Quote: " I couldn't believe my eyes," said Iva Bigun when asked what had happened to him.
" It happened as soon as ' The Product ' was applied to our wall. As my wife and I sat on the sofa we started to come over all strange and dreamy."

Enter another dimension
with a Cadlow Mural World Mural :)

Bland Walls? Fast fix-ups that are PERFECT for Autumn.

2011-03-14T08:27:00.000+13:00

Bland walls? Fast fix-ups that are perfect for fall

Wallpaper murals are one of my favorite design options because they make a huge impact in a room at an affordable price

(ARA) – When the weather cools and the bright sun of summer fades into autumn’s grayer skies, bare bland walls can feel like an ugly mark on your home’s decor. Suddenly, those undecorated walls that you were too busy to notice this past summer cry out for color and pizzazz – especially if you’re dealing with economy-induced stress.

“Fall is a great time to redecorate because as the weather cools people start heading indoors again,“ says Jonathon Fong, a Los Angeles-based interior decorator and author of “Walls that Wow.” “Home is more important again whereas summer was all about the outdoors. We want to make our homes comfortable, cozy and beautiful again. And when we decorate during the fall, we can show off our efforts at the holidays.”

So what are the hot trends and easy do-it-yourself decorating upgrades that will be hot this fall? Fong and artist Matthew Lew offer a few tips:

Bright, aggressive color

“The hot colors in home décor this fall will be brighter, happier versions of traditional fall hues – butter yellow, orange, persimmon and all shades of blues,” predicts Fong. “These are colors of optimism, and in the current economy, people want to be surrounded by hope. These happy colors put you in a good mood.”

“The hottest colors for room redesigns this fall will be aggressive color combos, using colors like scandal red or lobster paired with yolk yellow or custard,” says Lew, whose work has been featured on “Extreme Makeover Home Edition,” HGTV’s “Divine Design” and CBS’s “The Early Show.”

“People want a splash of color in their homes,” Lew adds. “The aggressive color combinations are great because they can make a bold statement very simply without overdoing it. I think people are attracted to that, especially with the economy right now.”

Texture that’s easy to achieve
Adding texture to a wall is another trend, especially if it’s a simple texture – such as stripes – that homeowners feel confident doing themselves, Fong says. Patterns, vinyl lettering or decals, and even wallpaper murals are great ways to add interest to boring walls.

Both designers agree wallpaper murals will continue to be popular, both for their versatility and ease installation by DIY homeowners. Fong has incorporated wallpaper murals from the Web site www.MuralsYourWay.com into his designs, and Lew’s artistry is featured on several of the site’s made-to-order wallpaper murals.

“Wallpaper murals are one of my favorite design options because they make a huge impact in a room at an affordable price,” Fong says. “If you were to have a decorative painter replicate some of the great designs available in wallpaper murals, it would cost thousands of dollars.”

If you’re intimidated by the idea of a mural, you can start out smaller by adding wallpaper murals elsewhere in your décor, Fong suggests. “Cut the mural into smaller pieces and frame the individual pieces. Put it on a door. Mount it to a piece of wood and make a headboard or a dressing screen out of it,” he says.

Finally, when you’re ready for your fall design spruce up, Lew and Fong have a few tips for creating a design you can love:

* “Think baby steps,” Fong says. Decorate a small wall or section of a large wall first. Give yourself a day to get used to your new wall.
* Consider your favorite colors and how you can use them to make your design “say what you want it to say,” Lew suggests.
* Go beyond paint and texture. Try fabric, paper and metal, Fong urges. Get creative, but don’t forget simple tricks too. “Sometimes the simplest thing is a mirror,” Lew says. “It opens up the entire room and brings in light.”
* Keep it real. “Look at your wall’s dimensions and be realistic,” Lew says. “Sometimes having the entire wall covered is too overpowering and a smaller scale would look better. For example, you might want to use part of the wall as a mural and then paint the other portions a similar color.”
* “No matter how it turns out in the end,” Fong says, “say you meant it to look that way.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

decorating.savvy-cafe.com

To purchase Wallpaper Murals in New Zealand

Visit: http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/3/a-wall-murals/

FABULOUS Furniture Finishes

2011-03-11T16:28:00.000+13:00

Here in New Zealand we love to make treasure out of trash.

Even in Home and Garden Magazine articles, home owners proudly point out a piece of furniture that they have upcycled.

Often it is an iconic 70's piece that looks a million dollars once reupholstered, found during their suburbs Inorganic rubbish collection.

Other times it is a hand me down from Nana that has been given a new coat of white paint and subtly distressed. With new knobs, all of a sudden it is a Shabby Chic master piece.

Trademe is often mentioned as the source of one of their Upcycled treasures and that is the reason why we also sell our knobs on Trademe. Customers can buy second hand a piece with potential and then purchase a set of our gorgeous vintage style knobs to help complete the transformation.

Furniture Finishes

http://blog.2modern.com

Flea Markets, Craigslist and garage sales are great for used furniture deals, but what if the table of your dreams happens to also be an annoying shade of fuchsia? Don’t let a poor or unattractive finish deter your purchase! If you love the shape or lines of piece and the price is right, snatch it up! There are lots of options to revamping the finish of any piece of furniture. Read ahead for a few basic tips and ideas to get you started on your own DIY project today:

Sanding: If you have a piece of furniture made of wood with a finish you hate, you’re probably going to want to take that finish off. Sanding by hand is your best option. Go with finer grain sand papers to ensure that you don’t take off the details or edges of your piece along with the finish.
(Tip: remove the old finish completely before adding a new one to prevent splotchy color or an uneven surface.)
Primers
Natural wood is the perfect bare canvas, no need for primers or sealers. If you are working with other surfaces like metal, you will need a primer first. Look for primers that specifically say for metal or “high adhesive”. If you have rusty metal, make sure you look for primers that are especially formulated to seal rust. They also have paints designed to be placed over metal or rust without a primer as well as primers for people who want to forgo the sanding step altogether.
(Tip: The best choice is always to remove the old finish as much as possible and then add a new one.)

Stains
Wood furniture finishes come in lots of basic types and provide different levels of protection and aesthetics. Before choosing a finish option, go to your local hardware store for help in evaluating your furniture’s finish needs. For the novice, a stain with a top coat can be the easiest choice. Stains come in all sorts of colors options and can be applied fairly simply with a rag or brush.
(Tip: Depending on the color richness you desire, you will want to wipe off the excess stain while you apply.) I also recommend a protective top coat of polyurethane to accompany your stain job. 2 in 1 products that have the stain and polyurethane together in one product are available.

Paint
Painting is a great and fun way to add color and freshness to an old or unwanted piece of furniture. After you’ve properly sanded and/or primed your piece of furniture, choose the type of paint based on your furniture’s needs. If it’s an indoor piece use indoor. If it’s going to go outside use exterior, etc. Paints that are glossy will give a little more protection than matte versions, but it’s highly recommended that you also use a protective topcoat finish, like polyurethane, on your painted piece. (Tip: Applying a topcoat on with a brush may add a slight texture to your piece, to avoid brush strokes use a spray-on protective.)

Distressing/texture/design
After sanding and before finishing you might be interested in distressing your furniture. Use a hammer, old nails, screwdrivers—anything that you can poke, bang and drag along your furniture’s surface to create an interesting look.
(Tip: Remember that if you decide to stain your piece, the stain will accumulate and appear darker in the distressed spots. Be careful as to step back after each go with the tools, you can’t undo the marks if you put too much!)

Plaster and gesso are materials that you can slop on with a brush and let dry to create thick or interesting textures.
(Tip: Keep in mind that both gesso and plaster can create chalky and flaky surfaces, which can become delicate. You might have to apply paint carefully or even use a primer made for chalky surfaces.) You’ll definitely need a protective topcoat with these materials.

Metal leaf, decorative papers, fabric—all can be glued or “decoupage” to your furniture’s surface to give it a new finish. Metal leaf is fairly expensive and delicate and needs to be applied with a special adhesive
(Tip: let the adhesive dry a bit before applying leaves; glue needs to be a bit gummy first). Metal leaves commonly come in gold and silver, but are available in other patinas such as bronze or copper. They can add an amazing level of texture, depth or interest. Decorative paper can be glued onto a surface by using decoupage glue. You will want to apply many layers of a topcoat finish, as paper can be easily damaged if scratched.

Hardware
Don’t forget the transforming effects of new hardware on a piece of furniture. Just updating the knobs on drawers can drastically change the look of a dresser.

http://www.cadlow.co.nz/category/70/b-vintage-knobs/

(Tip: Use wood putty to plug any holes left from knobs with different hardware needs than your new knobs.)
Important protective supplies one might need for finishing:
Drop cloth (plastic works best)
Thick paper towels
Latex gloves
Facemask
Painter’s tape (for protecting fabric)

Remember to always perform your furniture finishing in well ventilated, dust and moisture free environments. It’s best to use finishes in a temperature-regulated space, so as to allow the finishes to dry properly.
Happy refinishing! If you have any questions, need advice on a piece of furniture or want to mention your favorite finishing technique I’ve left out, leave a comment or send me an email!

http://blog.2modern.com
*Photographs are from the Better Homes and Gardens website

DIY : HOW to Paint a Wall Mural using a Projector

2011-03-11T07:50:00.000+13:00

Wallpaper Wall Murals are cost effective but DIY painted Murals are CHEAPER and more satisfying. You can be the Artist you always dreamed of being with the help of a laptop and a projector. The Sky is the limit for your creativity. Let it shine and have heaps of FUN while you are at it.

Article from http://www.unplggd.com

How To: Use a Projector to Paint Your Own Wall Mural

We just posted about Caroline's DIY mural project over at AT Los Angeles,
showcasing how she used a Illustrator file and her projector to take her silhouette
drawing and turned it into some lovely wall artwork. Details below...

I designed the mural for my sisters bedroom. The drawing was done in Illustrator and then projected on the wall using a video projector.

I traced the outline with a pencil. And then started filling it in making sure the pencil
marks we're covered. I used artist paint brushes for this. It took about 3 coats to get
the color right.

I used lacquer paint because it was a leftover from a different project but I would
advise people to use emulsion or acrylic paint for a smoother finish
(with lacquer it's very hard to get rid off 'stripes' from the paint brush.)

** For a Wallpaper Mural that can be installed in 2 hours go to www.cadlow.co.nz

Cadlow Mural World Facebook Competition closing SOON

2011-03-10T15:07:00.013+13:00

Time is almost up.

If you are one of our many Twitter followers NOW is the time to follow us on Facebook as well.
You could end up $50 richer
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/search.php?q=cadlow%20mural%20world&init=quick&tas=0.8401347497270444&search_first_focus=1301866724100

Want to be in the draw to WIN $50 CASH?

All you have to do is to LIKE us on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/search.php?q=cadlow%20mural%20world&init=quick&tas=0.8401347497270444&search_first_focus=1301866724100

That's all there is to it.

EASY Huh?

TELL your friends, spread the word.

The winner will be announced on this Blog on the 11th April and will be contacted via Facebook

I will post a photo of the draw so you will know that it was all done fairly.

I will write all the names of the new followers from today on pieces of paper and will put them into a hat on the 11th of March. I will shut my eyes, rummage around and hold up the winner for the camera.

Time is almost up.

If you are one of our many Twitter followers NOW is the time to follow us on Facebook as well.
You could end up $50 richer
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/search.php?q=cadlow%20mural%20world&init=quick&tas=0.8401347497270444&search_first_focus=1301866724100

Shabby Chic Upcycled Drawers Using glass knobs & an old duvet!

2011-03-10T10:03:00.000+13:00

Last year we alerted NZ Homestyle magazine to our new product range of knobs. We sent them some photos taken by a customer who had used them as part of a gorgeous Upcyling project.

The magazine LOVED the result so much that they wrote the below piece on their Blog.

Upcycled Drawers

Posted by Amber - Designer - 13/10/2010

This DIY project was sent into us by Justine Gradon, who with a little bit of time and a couple of new accesories has transformed a set of tired old drawers into a feature piece for her spare bedroom.

This upcycled project stays true to the name as Justine saved the very shaky rimu drawers from a trip to the dump. "I rescued them for the benefit of the guests who come to stay in my guest room." After sanding and oiling the body of the cabinet, Justine applied fabric from an old duvet cover using Mod Podge - an all in one sealer, glue and finish.

Finished with six lovely antique glass drawer handles from the Vintage Knob collection from Cadlow Trading the job was complete.

We think the results are outstanding, well done.

Antique glass handles from Cadlow Trading.

AMAZING Pirate Ship Bedroom

2011-03-09T23:06:00.000+13:00

Not all of have us have the kind of money required to go quite as far as the below parents in the pursuit of a Pirate Theme for their boy's bedroom.

You have to admit though that it really is extremely cool! What boy wouldn't want to go to sleep high up in a real Pirate ship?

The rope bridge /gang plank is pure fantasy fun but no doubt would be criticized by the PC Police as a dangerous item.

If you want a Pirate Themed room with an affordable price tag visit www.cadlow.co.nz.There you can choose between two different Pirate Wallpaper Wall Murals priced at $159 and $240 respectively.

Below article taken from http://www.ohdeedoh.com

Pirate Ship Bedroom

We recently saw this image circulating on Tumblr and had to know more. Where is that? Is it for real? Who lives there? A little internet sleuthing helped us turn up some answers.

The exceptionally lucky occupant of this Minnesota room is a six year old boy whose parents called upon designer/builder Steve Kuhl to cook up something very special. After concepting a space ship, a race car and a castle they finally settled upon the pirate ship. The rope bridge goes from the top of the jail cell(!) into the ship, and a rope suspended from the ship's hull provides drop-in closet access.
See more images of this over-the-top bedroom on Kuhl Design Build.
(Images: Kuhl Design Build)
http://www.kuhldesignbuild.com/portfolio/other.php#lg-image

Using Wall Murals to improve a Small Space

2011-03-09T07:01:00.000+13:00

I was shooting a spot today for work and our location was a hip record store. They had a fab wall mural as their focal point and I loved it! I have always been a fan of creating 1 accent wall in your small space. In our apartment, we painted 1 wall clay red. Another way to do this is putting up a wall mural (sticks like wallpaper).

There are some wonderful companies that offer a range of styles and you can even customize. Check out the huge selection at Murals Your Way. I also love that Urban Outfitters is offering fun ideas. I love the BAR scene featured above. It reminds me of living in New York!

Enjoy!

FOUR Tips for installing dark or metallic wallpaper

2011-03-08T08:28:00.000+13:00

Todays tips come from Alex Davis of Davis Decor in Queenstown. We highly recommend Alex for all your decor needs. If you want one of our Murals installed professionally and live in the Queenstown area give him a ring.

Tip 1

When using dark or especially metallic or foil papers it's so important that you start from the side where your main light source is. For example, the window at the end of the room, as this will hide your joints.

Tip 2

When handling dark papers (black or dark brown) before I hang the paper I get a piece of charcoal and rub it on to the edges of the roll.

Tip 3

Work out where your joints are going to be and paint the lines on the wall before hanging. It makes the job look 110%

Tip 4

Make sure you wash your hands before handling the paper.

Alex Davis

Davis Decor L.t.d

02102577820

H/37 Hallenstein Street

Queenstown

Welcome to the Cadlow Mural World Blog

2011-03-07T19:47:00.000+13:00

Today is our birthday as today is the very beginning of our Blog life.

The purpose of this Blog is to interact with our New Zealand customers, to give our readers home improvement ideas and to provide a forum for discussion.

We love upcycling and want to publish your photos and stories showing your creations.

We want to publish your photos and stories of your home improvements.

If you have installed one of our Wall murals why not share your photos with others on this Blog?
Share any problems and concerns. Ask for help, whatever you need.

We will also link to Paperhanging Professionals that we recommend if you do not want to install your mural yourself as well as other useful links as we find them or you recommend them.

Cadlow Mural World

The Back Story

Purple Playroom transformed into Baby Boy's Beachy Blue room

Man Cave Murals!

A Nursery is transformed into an Underwater world

How to attract customers into your shop.

Do shoppers walk right past your store without coming in?

What is merchandising anyway?

The purpose of this website

Where do I start?

Peel & Stick versus Traditional Wallpaper

By Muralismo ( adapted from a post by EasyWallz )

Traditional Wallpaper

We’ve all had issues with traditional wallpaper.

1) Traditional wallpaper is not easy to install. Far from it. The glue is very messy and must be cleaned immediately.

2) The services of a professional is often required for proper installation at a cost per wall of approx $400+

3) Finally, when the time comes to remove it, the real nightmare begins. Removing wallpaper without damage is difficult. Due to the glue, it is common for the dry wall to come off with the paper, causing you to have to replace it.

Who hasn’t dream t of redecorating (starting with the walls) without all the hassle?

Peel and Stick Wall Murals offer all the advantages of traditional wallpaper without its drawbacks. They create an extraordinary look in an instant, transforming your walls to meet your desires and inspirations.

Anything is possible: from the tropical beaches of the Caribbean to the icy landscapes of Antarctica, from the dense Amazon jungle to the hustle of urban cities…

Peel and Stick Wall Murals will recreate any environment of your choice onto your walls. And the icing on the cake is that you can even create your own Peel and Stick Wall Mural from your personal photos, for a truly unique result!

Welcome Peel and Stick Wall Murals!

Which Wallpaper Mural brand should you choose?

Cadlow Mural World Photography Competition

Interior Designer Eleanor Steel's expert tips on Wallpaper

Cadlow Mural World's New Website

A Tale of two Murals.

A SIMPLE way to display what you LOVE.

By Muralismo

The post below from 'Simple Things' highlights one of the many features of Easywallz Murals.

Easywallz is a very SIMPLE way to display the people, things and activities that you love.

Easywallz is such a PERSONAL product because it can be whatever you want it to be.

What do you love?

From from the Blog, Simple Things

Saturday, December 4, 2010

A leading Interior Designer demonstrates Easywallz on T.V

Graffiti Goes Glam.

Easywallz is soon going to be available in New Zealand.

By Muralismo

I am jumping up and down with excitement this week because Easywallz is soon going to be available in New Zealand through Cadlow Mural World

What is Easywallz I hear you ask. Well, I was going to do a long Blog post to tell you all about this cutting edge new product but since another Blogger has already done it I will instead share their excitement with you.

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Story of Mikko's Room

The Story of George's Room

WATCH our Remote controlled Real Wax Candles in action.

CAN I install a Wallpaper Mural in a Bathroom?

We are now on Youtube oh what FUN

HOW to use Wallpaper to Cover a Paneled or Cement Block Wall

By Muralismo

Hi everyone. This morning a customer asked me if they could put one of our Wallpaper Murals onto a painted concrete block wall. I found the following helpful article for them that says YES they can and explains HOW to do it.

Wallpaper Ideas: Use to Cover Paneled or Cement Block Walls

We are giving away a $30 SHOPPING VOUCHER EVERYDAY

HOW to change the knobs on a Dresser

By montytravels, eHow User

Homestyle Magazine's Latest Blog Post

Special Easter Mural by very talented Muralist

Joe Mckinney Muralist, of Greenville, South Carolina's Murals here. http://www.findamuralist.com/muralartist/joe-mckinney-greenville-united-states

Muralismo wishes all our readers a very Happy Easter Holiday.

DIY Photo competition for our Facebook Fans

WIN a remote controlled LED Candle GIFT Pack

By Muralismo

I want 200 Fans on our Facebook page http://on.fb.me/f3REiR so have devised the following competition.

Tell your friends to like us and to comment on our facebook page http://on.fb.me/f3REiR that you sent them.

Once 200 Fans have been achieved the person who has referred the MOST fans will WIN this MAGIC remote controlled LED Flameless candle set valued at $84.99.

We will courier deliver it to the winner NZ Wide.

The competition is open to NZ residents ONLY.

**Remember to ask the people you refer, to comment on our page http://on.fb.me/f3REiR saying that YOU sent them.

Green Apple Painting : Muralist Extraordinaire

Tips on using Candles to Create Ambiance

And the WINNER of $50 CASH is.................

Bright future with Disney fake Candles

Why you should use colours of the 1950's when you decorate

5 Quick & Easy Ways to Personalize an Apartment Kitchen

BIG Mural in a Little Bedroom

How to Decoupage Furniture DIY Paper Projects

Instructions for How to Decoupage Furniture

Gluing Paper and Photographs to Furniture

Final Steps of Decoupaging Furniture

Joe Mckinney
Muralist, of Greenville, South Carolina's Murals here. http://www.findamuralist.com/muralartist/joe-mckinney-greenville-united-states