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Yotam Ottolenghi’s renovated kitchen has a hand-painted tile mural by artist Cecilie Maurud Barstad, featuring details connected to his children. The Livingetc report presents the backsplash as part of a broader design trend toward personal, decorative kitchen walls, while designers stress that materials must suit heat, water and cleaning.
Chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s renovated kitchen features a hand-painted tile mural by artist Cecilie Maurud Barstad, replacing the previous backsplash while leaving the room’s layout largely unchanged. A Livingetc report presents the installation as an example of a wider interior-design trend: turning a practical kitchen surface into a personal, expressive feature.
Ottolenghi told Livingetc that the most noticeable change in the renovation was the tilework. The new mural covers the wall above the cooker and behind shelves; it was painted off-site, fired and then installed. The cabinets retained their white finish, with new fronts replacing the old ones, and the layout stayed as it was.
The design includes small images suggested by the artist that relate to Ottolenghi’s children: a taco, a Dungeons & Dragons logo and a cartoon-style portrait they made of their cousin. Ottolenghi said he hopes the wall will feel like a collection of memories when his children return home as adults.
The report describes several ways to create a mural-style backsplash, including painted tiles, artwork applied directly to a wall, stained glass and wallpaper. Each option has different practical demands. For wallpaper or fabric near cooking and water, de Gournay’s Harald Donoghue advised adding a protective barrier such as glass or Perspex; JAM Design Works founder Jules Gallop emphasized correct templating and specifying materials for heat, moisture and cleaning.
Personal Art Moves Into the Kitchen
The installation illustrates a change in how some designers approach the kitchen: not only as a work area, but also as a room that can carry personal references and visual character. In Ottolenghi’s case, the imagery is tied to family life, making the backsplash more than a decorative pattern.
That choice has practical implications. A mural sits close to cooking, splashes and regular cleaning, so its appearance cannot be separated from the material and installation decisions. Designers quoted by Livingetc stress that a striking surface still needs to work alongside cabinetry, counters and lighting, and be suitable for the conditions where it will be used.
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How the Mural Was Made
Ottolenghi asked Roundhouse to keep the kitchen’s existing layout and replace the white cabinet fronts. The tiles became the central change. Barstad’s mural was created and fired away from the kitchen before being fixed to the wall, rather than painted directly onto the installed surface.
Livingetc also cited other projects to show the range of approaches. Studio Ashby commissioned a floral tile mural intended to evoke an English meadow; a Shanghai kitchen used hand-painted wallpaper on silver-gilded paper, with Perspex recommended as protection. A stained-glass splashback designed by JAM Design Works required reinforcement because of its weight, with access planned for its internal LED panels.
“The biggest difference was the tiles.”
— Yotam Ottolenghi, speaking to Livingetc
Durability Depends on Materials
The report does not establish how widespread the mural trend is with sales data, survey results or other measures; its description of growing interest is a design assessment. It also gives no cost estimates, maintenance schedules or durability comparisons for the different approaches.
Performance will depend on the material, protective finish, location and installation. The source warns that finishes used on textile-based wallpaper may not be heavy-duty and can affect colors or design details. It does not provide product-specific guidance for every mural option or kitchen setup.
Planning a Backsplash Installation
For homeowners considering a mural, the designers quoted by Livingetc recommend treating it as part of the kitchen plan from the outset. Color, scale and pattern should be checked against cabinetry, worktops, lighting and nearby fixtures, with samples viewed alongside the room’s other finishes.
Before installation, the chosen surface needs to be specified for exposure to heat, water and cleaning. Accurate measurements matter around sockets, switches and cabinets; heavier features such as stained glass may require wall reinforcement. The source reports no further renovation plans from Ottolenghi or a scheduled next development tied to the trend.
Key Questions
What is on Yotam Ottolenghi’s backsplash mural?
The hand-painted design includes a taco, a Dungeons & Dragons logo and a cartoon-style portrait made by his children of their cousin.
Who made the mural?
Artist Cecilie Maurud Barstad created the tile mural. It was painted off-site, fired and then installed in the kitchen.
What kinds of backsplash murals are possible?
The Livingetc report describes murals on fired tiles or walls, as well as stained glass and wallpaper. Each option has different requirements for protection and installation.
How can a decorative backsplash be protected?
Protection depends on the material and its location. For wallpaper or fabric near splashes and humidity, de Gournay’s Harald Donoghue recommended a glass or Perspex barrier. The material should also be specified for heat, water and cleaning.
Source: rss
