Bella Muri Owner, Melissa Loutos - Photographed by Julie Linnekin

There’s an artist in Barrington named Melissa Loutos who specializes in transforming walls into works of art.  Her business is called Bella Muri, which translates to “Beautiful Walls” in Italian and she has been perfecting her technique in decorative painting and refinishing surfaces for the past 17 years.

Bella Muri Owner, Melissa Loutos - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Bella Muri Owner, Melissa Loutos – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

“My customer’s home is my muse and making their home truly reflect who they are is my inspiration.  Everyone has different taste.”

Bella Muri Paint Brushes - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Bella Muri Paint Brushes – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

“I can work with a home that’s more traditional and then go into another house that’s the complete opposite and it’s great. The best thing about being a decorative artist is the imagination of my clients, being able to create that custom finish on pretty much any surface to achieve a look that’s personal to their style.”

Bella Muri Custom Phrase Mural - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Bella Muri Artist and Owner, Melissa Loutos, with Painter, Ryan Kleinberg – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

From murals to decorative finishes to furniture, cabinet, concrete and wall resurfacing, Melissa says she’s not afraid to step outside the box, trying new and interesting materials for extraordinary results that bring ideas to life.

Bella Muri Fairy Mural in Child's Room - Photo Provided by Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Fairy Mural in Child’s Room – Photo Provided by Melissa Loutos

As a mural artist, Melissa and her team will transform full rooms, from floor to ceiling, including nurseries and children’s rooms, with your choice of theme, like this Chicago skyline mural…

Bella Muri Chicago Skyline Mural - Photo Provided by Artist Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Chicago Skyline Mural – Photo Provided by Artist Melissa Loutos

Today, jungle, princess, fairy and butterfly themes being among her youngest clients’ favorite murals.

Bella Muri Fairy Mural in Child's Room - Photo Provided by Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Fairy Mural in Child’s Room – Photo Provided by Melissa Loutos

Melissa also paints custom scenes in spaces designed for entertaining, like this wine room vignette…

Bella Muri Wine Vineyard Mural - Photo Provided by Artist, Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Wine Vineyard Mural – Photo Provided by Artist, Melissa Loutos

And she’s a fabulous resource for painting custom phrases in any room, like this living room where we recently caught up with Melissa on assignment with her team.

Bella Muri Custom Phrase Mural - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Bella Muri Custom Phrase Mural – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

We asked Melissa if she’d share some of the latest trends she’s seeing in decorative finishing and she says, while most clients come to her looking for something completely custom or unique created specifically for their home, she has noticed a an increase in requests for these six decorative finishes…

1.  Bold, Contemporary, All-Over Patterns

Sometimes these designs are something that mimic a wall paper that they’ve seen but cant find in just the right color or sheen, sometimes it’s pulling a design they have on an accent pillow and want to see it on the wall or ceiling and that can only be done with someone like me who can get the design made and know how to apply it properly to the surface of choice.

Bella Muri All-Over Stencil Pattern - Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri All-Over Stencil Pattern – Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos

2.  Ceilings are Still Going Strong

It could be as simple as painting and glazing with an accent color, or  adding a custom design or mural to bring your eye up to the beautiful architecture of the ceiling.

Bella Muri Ceiling Mural - Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Ceiling Mural – Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos

3.  Improving What You Have vs. Buying New

Re-surfacing and re-finishing are big right now.  In the past few years with tough economic times, people are deciding to stay in their homes and update it.   I have had many requests in the past few years to refinish cabinets or furniture or any wood surface in their home that is in need of updating.  This is a much more cost effective way to enliven your space with out the hassle or expense of a complete remodel.

Bella Muri Refinished Fireplace Mantel - Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Refinished Fireplace Mantel – Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos

4.  Animal Prints in Beautiful Textures & Colors

Fun to do in small spaces like powder rooms

Bella Muri Animal Finish - Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Animal Finish – Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos

5.  Metallics

Finishes having the characteristic of metal are still used to add a little bling to many of my finishes from contemporary and even imbedding them in an old world plaster for that little extra touch.

Bella Muri Metallic Crackle Finish - Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Metallic Crackle Finish – Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos

6.  Distressing, Crackling or Aging Finishes

Crackling or aging finishes to give furniture , cabinets, or even oven hoods a custom look.

Bella Muri Painted Oven Hood - Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos
Bella Muri Painted Oven Hood – Photo Provided by Artist & Owner, Melissa Loutos

We’re excited to welcome Melissa Loutos and Bella Muri as the newest member to join our Online Marketplace at 365Barrington.com.

Bella Muri Artist and Owner, Melissa Loutos - Photographed by Julie Linnekin
Bella Muri Artist and Owner, Melissa Loutos – Photographed by Julie Linnekin

To learn more about Melissa Loutos and the range of decorative finishes and services she offers, visit the company’s website at BellaMuri.com.

You can also CLICK HERE to visit the Bella Muri profile page that we just published in our Barrington Online Marketplace here at 365Barrington.com.

To peruse all of our existing Marketplace member features, visit 365Barrington.com/Marketplace. To follow the latest members to join our Marketplace, visit 365Barrington.com/Buzz. And if you’d like to become a featured member of our Marketplace, visit 365Barrington.com/advertise.

Learn More About Bella Muri Decorative Finishes at BellaMuri.com
Learn More About Bella Muri Decorative Finishes at BellaMuri.com

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