Artist goes viral for “peekaboo” wall design
A US artist has gone viral after revealing the results of an experiment she conducted with some paint and a wall in her loft apartment.
Kelly, an interior decorator and artist behind KRÜGERarts, has been praised by fans for starting a new trend online when she shared what happened when she painted a unique, nature-inspired mural over the top of blue matte paint.
Using semi-gloss paint in the same colour as the flat matte paint, Kelly created a design that appears when hit by light but disappears into the background colour in shadow.
“I love the way that this is going to add texture,” she says in a TikTok clip showing how she created the look.
“It plays with the natural lighting, but because it’s the same colour, it won’t be too overwhelming in this small space.”
In a clip revealing the final result, Kelly described it as a "peekaboo effect".
"I think it looks beautiful," she continued.
"It's there, and then it's not."
Her initial reveal video soon went viral, receiving 2.3 million views, nearly 700,000 likes, and thousands of comments - including plenty from fans, fellow artists and others planning to do something similar in their own homes.
“You are so talented, I love what you created here,” one user wrote.
“My wife and I close on a house next Friday. We will absolutely be doing this. Thanks for the inspo!” another shared.
“I literally gasped. This is beautiful,” a third commented.
Kelly achieved her ‘peekaboo’ look by painting a semi-gloss pattern over matte blue paint. Image: Supplied
In response to the popularity of the video, Kelly revealed she will be releasing wallpaper and fabric featuring her design, available in multiple colours from Spoonflower.
When we asked for her advice for those keen to achieve something similar in their interior spaces, Kelly, who has been working in interior decorating for the past ten years, told OverSixty that planning is key.
“Choose a wall that makes sense in regards to lighting. Doing this technique on a wall with natural or varying light will give best results,” Kelly advises.
“I planned my design ahead and mapped it out in chalk so it was easy to paint the semi gloss.
“I would freehand your design if you can. Using tape will leave edges on your paint that will be difficult to paint over in the future. Although for some designs it would be worth the tape edges for a perfect line.”
Along with sharing artistic experiments, Kelly has been keeping fans up-to-date with the remodelling of her home, her paint-and-stick wallpaper designs, and other arty projects.
To find Kelly online, head to her website or follow her on TikTok and Instagram with the handle @kruger_arts.
Image: @kruger_arts (Instagram)