Creative mum makes incredible games room for her kids for just £16
- Hollie Clarke inspired herself on Google images before redecorating her sons’ playroom
- The process cost just £16 using masking tape and paints
- Hollie says you can do the same using a projector
Hollie Clarke, a mum of two boys and an artist from Suffolk, managed to transform the walls of her kids’ playroom for just £16.
Hollie, who shares her designs on Instagram at Hollie_clarke_artist, told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: “My 10-year-old Taylor has been asking me since we moved into our new home three years ago to paint something 'epic’ - his words! - on the walls of his playroom and I never really got round to it.
"He wanted a Fortnite room to start off with but I was holding off to see if the trend died down.
"I just decided to just do all of his favourite characters in a comic strip-style design so it will last a while and he won't outgrow it so quickly!"
Hollie set about designing the room on her computer, and then used her DIY skills to transfer her vision to the walls.
"I started off just asking Taylor what characters he wanted, then I designed it on my computer,” Hollie adds. “I took some images off Google, then once I was happy with the design, I used masking tape for the edges, sketched it out first, then started painting.
"It took about a week in between feeding the kids, lockdown and schoolwork!
"I used tester pots of paint. I already had quite a few colours from previous work I've done, but I spent £16 on new masking tape and a couple more paint colours.
“It was all purchased from a trip to The Range while shopping for food items for family members."
Hollie’s kids are absolutely delighted with their new playroom, and can’t wait to show it off to their friends when the lockdown is over.
"My son was watching most of the time whilst I was doing it and he kept asking 'Are you going to finish that bit? What are you going to paint next?’
"He was super excited when it was finished to be fair - although it's a bit sad that we can't invite any of his mates round to see it just yet!
"I have a four-year-old too and he loves it just as much!
“I drew it all from images on Google, however if people want to, they could use a projector or print images out on paper and use it as a template.
"Projectors on ebay and Amazon are pretty cheap and you can connect to a computer to put the design on the wall first, then use it to draw over it, that way the outline is in perspective and you don't need to be good at drawing.
“I’d also recommend people to make a design first and measure up the wall so it matches the design. To keep the cost down, mix paints together to make colours (saves on buying!) and just be patient.”
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, comments: “Most of us have been putting off home improvement projects for years, and the lockdown, considering most supplies can be ordered online, is the perfect time to get it done.
“Any game-obsessed kid would dream of a playroom just like this! I’m seriously impressed with Hollie’s drawing skills, but if you’re not the artistic type, Hollie’s projector tip is a great plan to get this look in your own home."
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