Murals with meaning.

Every space has a purpose. Every place has a story. Murals make it intentional.

With a background in Landscape Architecture and years of experience at design firms including Gates + Associates and WRT Inc., I’ve worked on a wide range of projects: from BART streetscapes and schools to mixed-use commercial hubs and residential developments. I understand the iterative design process and bring a thoughtful balance of professional structure and creative flow to every project.

Art has the power to deepen the emotional experience of a place, inform spatial functionality, and create meaningful moments for placemaking, all while telling a story that reflects the people who inhabit it. Every space, intentional or not, has a purpose. Murals are a way to intentionally and aesthetically reinforce that purpose.

My process balances aesthetics, site conditions, user experience, and client goals. Each design responds to functional context and cultural, personal, or brand identity, resulting in work that is both visually compelling and deeply rooted in meaning

Recently, I’ve had the privilege of working with South Asian families and business owners. As my own family is rooted in Indian identity, this work is deeply meaningful. While I will never fully understand the immigrant experience, I do understand the experience of creating an environment that holds space to bridge two different worlds. This kind of work, celebrating cultural meaning and identity through art, calls for sensitivity, creativity, and deep listening.

Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, city planner, landscape architect, interior designer, or architect, I’d love to collaborate. If you have a wall and a vision—or even just a feeling you want to express—let’s bring it to life together.

Let's Create Something Meaningful Together

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Let's Create Something Meaningful Together *

Murals + Interiors

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MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - Modern botanical floral wall mural ~ baby girl toddler room interior design inspiration. Floral mandala line art with scalloped arches in calming dusty mauve for a peaceful calming sleep environment. Wall Mural San Francisco

MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - modern hand drawn shaded floral mural in master bedroom hallway nook for peaceful tranquil home interior. Wall Mural San Francisco Bay Area Berkeley East Bay Mural Artist Muralist Home Interior Design For Hire

MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - Little girls kids room cottagecore botanical pastel coneflower wall mural. Wall Mural San Francisco Bay Area Berkeley East Bay Mural Artist Muralist Home Interior Design For Hire

MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - San Francisco Bay Area Artist HOme Interior Muralist for hire

Red door with white and yellow floral designs, set in a stucco wall with decorative trim, and a patterned red carpet on the ground.

MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - Wall Mural San Francisco Bay Area Berkeley East Bay Mural Artist Muralist Home Interior Design For Hire. Guest Bedroom Indian Middle Eastern Bohemian Boho Style Hand Painted Mandala Line Art.

MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - Modern Boho Scandi Scandinavian Home Interior Design Mural for Kids Room. Wall Mural San Francisco Bay Area Berkeley East Bay Mural Artist Muralist Home Interior Design For Hire

MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - Multicolor Boho Floral Kids Room Colorful Hand Painted Botanical Wall Mural San Francisco Bay Area Berkeley East Bay Mural Artist Muralist Home Interior Design For Hire

MIKAELA KARTHIK DESIGN - boho minimalist modern botanical mural for home interiors and office spaces. green yellow blue and teal with flowing lines and dots. Wall Mural San Francisco Bay Area Berkeley East Bay Mural Artist Muralist Home Interior Desi

You might be wondering…

With a background in Architecture and Engineering, and years exploring various artistic mediums, I balance professional structure with creative flow.
I don’t just paint your wall—I respond deeply to the energy and context of your space, your lifestyle and personality, or for businesses, your unique brand identity and goals. For cities and municipalities, I engage with their vision and community identity to create work that is beautiful, functional, and immersive, reflecting the unique character of the place.
My design process thoughtfully considers aesthetics, constructibility, long-term maintenance, and how people will experience and interact with the space over time.
For me, art is more than decoration—it’s a powerful language communicating feeling, culture, storytelling, and a strong sense of place. My goal is to create meaningful environments that resonate emotionally and bring joy and calm to your everyday.
I break my projects into three phases.
- Initial Consultation
  I visit your space to assess wall conditions and gather inspiration, ensuring the design fits your environment. I want to understand who I am designing for, how you use the space, and what you envision—basically, I want to get to know you :) Based on this meeting, I create a contract for the project to be agreed upon by both parties.
- Design Development (DD)
  I collaborate with you virtually to develop a schematic design and color concept. Whether you have a clear vision or no idea where to start, I’ll guide the creative process from start to finish using tools like Pinterest boards, Zoom calls, color studies, and design options with iterations. Every client is different, and I tailor the process to your unique needs.
- Design Implementation (DI)
  I bring the design to life—this is when I come paint :). I’ll paint on-site for the duration outlined in your contract. During this time, I keep materials and a ladder in your space overnight. I aim to work around your availability and comfort, knowing I’m a guest in your home or business.
Thinking About a Project?
To get a better sense of the scope and process, you can start thinking about these things:
- Size of the Wall: Measure height × width for square footage to estimate painting costs.
- Complexity: Simple graphic or detailed layered? More intricate designs require more time and budget.
- Wall Texture & Condition: Textured surfaces need extra prep; dirty or greasy walls require cleaning before painting.
- Accessibility: Is the wall easy to reach? High or tight spaces may need special equipment or extra setup time.
- Design Readiness: Do you know what you want, or want me to shape the vision from scratch (which I LOVE doing)?
I believe a great working relationship starts with clarity. That’s why I’m upfront about pricing—to make the process smooth, respectful, and collaborative from the start.
Pricing Basics
Project pricing ranges depending on wall size, complexity, wall condition, and location. I take on a limited number of projects each year to provide focused attention and care.
Initial Consultation Fees
Projects typically begin with a paid on-site consultation that includes a walkthrough, creative conversation, and wall condition assessment (no design work provided yet).
If the project moves forward, your consultation fee is credited toward the total.
Design & Painting Fees
Before painting begins, we collaborate on a custom concept tailored to your space. A design development fee applies (which may be reduced if your vision is clear). Painting is priced per square foot between $28–$50/SF, plus a materials percentage fee.
Rates may vary based on complexity, location, or timing. Customized estimates are provided for each project, and rates may adjust over time.
I enjoy collaborating closely with interior designers, architects, and landscape architects to integrate artwork seamlessly within larger design projects. Because I understand the nuances of architectural structure and design processes, I’m comfortable adapting my workflow to fit different project frameworks.
I typically work as a collaborative partner—supporting your vision in a tailored, flexible way—whether as a subcontractor or in a role customized to fit the project’s needs.
If you’re a design professional interested in partnering on a project, please reach out—I’d love to explore how we can create something meaningful together.