Goodbye, boring white! Anni transformed her kitchen with a ‘poor woman’s wallpaper’ using leftover paint and markers

You covered your kitchen wall with mushroom drawings. What inspired this idea?

Previously, I had decorated the bathroom door with plant-themed drawings and thought mushrooms would also be a fun subject. I love mushroom foraging and being in nature. Initially, I planned to draw mushrooms on the basement door, but after staring at the kitchen’s white wall, I realized it would be the perfect canvas for mushrooms.

The final push came from some markers lying around our home and a leftover can of paint. That’s how everything came together.

Here is what Anni’s kitchen looked like before the transformation. Photos in this article by Anni Puranen.

Did you sketch the designs on paper first, or how did you proceed?

First, I cleaned the wall. I didn’t plan the patterns in advance, but I sketched three mushrooms with a pencil in the center of the wall. Then I decided it was better to draw directly on the wall whatever came to mind. I often work this way: I get an idea and start executing it based on my vision.

Anni began drawing mushrooms on the wall spontaneously, without much pre-planning.

After drawing the first mushrooms, I continued gradually in all directions, adding mushrooms here and there. Then I enhanced some with terracotta-colored paint. Finally, I added smaller mushrooms in between to balance the composition.

Anni used a round-tipped permanent marker to draw the mushrooms. One marker was sufficient. For painting, she used a regular watercolor brush.

The terracotta-colored paint is the same as on the other walls of the room. Anni used Teknos Futura Aqua 20 paint, in the shade ‘Ruukku’.

The warm-toned walls and cheerful pattern instantly transformed the kitchen’s atmosphere. According to Anni, the furniture is still being arranged.

How long did it take to decorate the wall?

I took breaks, but in total, it took about half a day. Painting the other walls in terracotta color took a full day.

Was drawing on the wall difficult?

I didn’t find it difficult. I draw a lot; it’s a way for me to relax and is a pleasant hobby.

There was a moment of panic when I thought I couldn’t make the wall look good. The most challenging part was drawing right at the floor level, but eventually, that turned out well too.

What do you think of the wall now that it’s finished?

I’m quite satisfied; I think this ‘poor woman’s wallpaper’ brightens up our kitchen and is certainly unique! We live in an old wooden house and our home is like a cottage-style villa—one big DIY project.

I’m always working on something new at home. I’ve drawn and painted walls and furniture, and I like to find new uses for furniture and items. I usually execute ideas on a zero budget as much as possible. I don’t buy new things for the home; I prefer to repurpose thrift store finds.

Anni has previously illustrated the bathroom door in her home. “I’m a decorator by profession, but I’ve done a lot of other jobs. My intention is to start designing and producing kitchen towels and prints for sale and apply for a place to study in the field of design,” Anni shares.