Decals can transform a room with low cost and little imigination.

 

DECOR VOLUME. 6 ISSUE. 4

Contemporary Tradition

Wall decoration has typically meant an interesting picture strategically placed, a piece of well-framed art or a mural; however, today people seeking different wall décor are looking to a popular trend which opens up new, creative, affordable possibilities – adhesive wall art.

For a fraction of the cost of an original painting, vinyl decals add pizzazz to a room while making an artistic statement. “Decals make a great focal point to a room, or they can be used as a complement to the existing décor,” says Haseena Mirza, co-owner of Simply Impressions, a Las Vegas based company specializing in modern Islamic art decals in a variety of colors, geared to the hip generation.

For a bold, modern statement, Ms. Mirza and her co-owners Fawzia Ghafoor-Khawaja and Leila Qurashi, recommend that their customers paint a room in a vibrant color, then apply a decal in a contrasting color. To produce a subtle effect in the room, the decorators suggest decals in various neutral shades.

Advantages of decals include their low cost; with a little imagination someone can transform a room completely at a reasonable price. Also, the decals are removable and don’t leave holes in walls or peel off paint, so they are ideal for renters and students with leasing restrictions, or for those who like to change their décor periodically. A sturdy decal adorning a living room could be moved to the bedroom wall. These versatile items can also be placed on mirrors, windows or even on a canvas to decorate homes and offices. The decals are durable, lasting up to 10 years and most importantly, they are easy to apply. They come in a variety of designs with matte and metallic colors.

Packaged in three layers, transfer paper, glossy paper backing and decal, they come with full detailed instructions, ready to apply. Before application, all contact surfaces must be dry and clean of dust. To try out a design placement, apply masking tape to the three layers and attach the decal to your desired surface; once you’ve decided on the location and design, scrape a plastic card over it, center-out, to adhere it to your surface. Then cut away the glossy paper, rub the decal with the plastic card again to more firmly adhere it to the wall, and finally peel away the transfer paper. Voila! Your transfer is beautifully in place.

Noting that vinyl is a forgiving medium for beginner decorators, both Ms. Ghafoor-Khawaja and Ms. Mirza agree the project should be completed patiently, without distractions. “It is a project that takes one or two hours to complete, depending on the size of the decal and complexity of the design,” says Ms. Ghafoor-Khawaja, an artist who spent 13 years as a building architect before training as an interior designer. The women offer technical phone assistance to novices who run into difficulties, and generally will work with customers who need replacement decals due to application errors.

While applying the designs may be relatively uncomplicated, choosing just one from the wide variety of Islamic calligraphy, quotes and flowers may be more difficult. Currently, the two most popular designs sold by Simply Impressions are the Teardrop Bismillah (above left) and the Flower and Remembrance Quote which reads, “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
If none of the available designs suits your taste, Simply Impressions can give design-savvy advice or create a custom design from a personal image or other art of your choosing. (They are working to make modern Islamic art accessible, to become the one-stop shop for it and to play a compelling part in the modern renaissance of Islamic culture.) Once you’ve decorated your space with your chosen decal, you will probably agree with these decorators on the Simply Impressions design blog – this is not Grandma’s wall art.
These flower designs, quotes and Qur’anic calligraphy decals seamlessly blend the traditional with the contemporary to create a refreshing alternative to conventional designs. Noting that this reflects the culture of Muslims in America, Ms. Mirza says, “It’s a little traditional and a little contemporary modern – like how we live our lives.”

www.simplyimpressions.com

 

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