A graphic focal wall perfect for a computer fanatic’s bedroom
The Madsen-Leibold family tackled a paint project together, creating an impressive ‘motherboard’ focal wall for teen Gerard’s room.
WWhen Ansophí (18) moved out of her room in the family’s Somerset West home to study mechanical engineering at Stellenbosch University earlier this year, her younger brother Gerard (15) was quick to call dibs on the space. But it was still very much in Ansophí’s style with a pretty focal wall featuring birds in a tree – a bit too feminine for Gerard, a grade 10 high school student and electronics and computer fanatic.
So Ansophí decided to help the family create a bold new focal wall featuring a graphic representation of a computer motherboard. After some online research, she created the drawing in Photoshop as well as a 3D design so everyone could see what the wall would eventually look like.
First, it was painted dark grey – a paint mix made especially for the project.
Gerard and his engineer dad Hardy then replicated the measurements of the drawing to scale on the wall. Once the drawing was done, everyone, including mom Marietjie, coloured in the lines of the drawing using a mix of orange and white paint and a variety of paintbrushes in different sizes. “Many hands make light work!” says Marietjie.
And Gerard is over the moon with his new space. For more inspiring paint makeovers, step-by-step techniques and expert advice, get your copy of Home & Paint It – it’s on shelves now!
The four days we spent working together were good for our family; we listened to music, sang and appreciated our time together. – Marietjie