Meet Geraldine Toh, a 31-year-old interior stylist residing in Singapore, whose expertise lies in crafting botanical mural art. Despite her roots in the fine arts, launching her own interior art and styling venture alongside her husband, Vincent, was an unexpected turn. While Vincent is entrenched in the fintech realm, his familial ties to a tiling and contracting business in Malaysia provide a unique backdrop for their collaborative efforts.
Gerardine Toh
Originally, Toh was entrenched in a full-time role as an art educator at a local secondary school. However, the pandemic inadvertently steered her towards uncharted territories. It all began within the confines of her own abode—her inaugural mural painting adorned the walls of her childhood bedroom. When circumstances compelled Toh and Vincent to cohabit during lockdowns, the ample time at home ignited Toh’s passion for painting, initiating a decorative overhaul of their dwelling.
Living in Singapore, infamous for its soaring living costs alongside New York, grants certain privileges to married couples like the Tohs, who can benefit from government-subsidized public housing estates. Their abode in Tampines, situated in eastern Singapore, served as the maiden interior styling project for the duo.
Geraldine Toh is a Singapore-based interior stylist who also specializes in mural-painting
While Geraldine Toh occasionally delves into tasks akin to interior design, such as devising floorplans and supervising renovations, she primarily identifies as a stylist. For her, styling transcends mere furniture procurement; it entails harmonizing existing elements to curate a space reflective of its occupants’ identities.
Vincent lends a hand in their projects on an as-needed basis, primarily focusing on administrative, logistical, and technical facets. Following Toh’s Instagram showcases of their home, requests for both interior styling services and mural commissions began pouring in, marking a serendipitous transition from personal passion to professional pursuit.
A collage showing a Picasso:Cubist-inspired mural commission that features grey squiggly lines next to the sketch
Quotations for mural paintings and interior styling services are tailored to each project’s specifics, with Toh typically employing a per-square-meter pricing model for her murals, ranging from 300 to 400 Singapore dollars ($225 to $300). The complexity of the design and spatial coverage influences the final cost.
Predominantly featuring flora and fauna, Toh’s murals occasionally embrace diverse styles, such as line art, catering to varying client preferences. Each mural project commences with meticulous sketching, culminating in a month-long commission process.
The completed mural painting of peonies and lavender. The mural wraps around a wall in one of her client’s apartments
Client collaboration is pivotal, necessitating photo references and wall dimensions for customized mural designs. Unlike wallpaper, which adheres to a repeated pattern, murals offer bespoke solutions that complement room layouts—an integration that Toh actively advocates.
Within her own residence, a strategically placed rose mural adorns the corridor wall, seamlessly aligned with the bedroom entrance. For those daunted by mural endeavors, Toh advocates for the use of color blocks to infuse vibrancy and focal points into spaces, emphasizing the significance of color placement.
Ultimately, Geraldine Toh views every home as an evolving canvas, encouraging experimentation sans apprehension over reversible design choices. Follow her amazing Instagram page HERE!
