OP here. Besides the stylistic differences, my MIL has a tendancy to be a little tempermental and a little unreliable. I don't want to commit her to do something and DD's room is unfinished for several months. The wall where the mural would be is where her crib will be and that thing is a pain to move. I think asking her to paint something on a canvas is a great idea and it's something we could actually give to DD when she's older to potentially put in her own kid's room.

If she is a good artist why not let her paint something? You can tell her that you don't really like cartoon characters but you do like blank.

Anonymous wrote:Is she artistic? Can she paint? Not just with a roller, but PAINT?

I am quite artistic. I have painted some accents on my kids' walls that have turned out beautifully. I would never attempt a full wall mural, even though I can indeed draw and paint well.

It takes a lot of skill to get the proportions right when you are painting on a large scale on a wall. And to do something as familiar as Disney characters, large scale, on a wall? Do you or your husband really want your daughter's nursery to look like it was painted by that Italian grandma who decided to "restore" that centuries old fresco in her local church with a bunch of acrylics? I think not.

Just say no. Firmy. Insist your husband does too (and not in the wussy apologetic I am sorry but my wife is making me way).

Then, suggest she puts together a nursery in HER house for when you come to visit, where Larla can look forward to seeing her special mural at grandma's house.

A homemade attempt at a Disney character mural coupled with old furniture from yard sales? No, and no. Get your husband on board and cut off your MIL's cable so she quits watching so much hgtv

It was a Spanish grandma.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/24/world/europe/botched-restoration-of-ecce-homo-fresco-shocks-spain.html?_r=0

Is she artistic? Can she paint? Not just with a roller, but PAINT?

I am quite artistic. I have painted some accents on my kids' walls that have turned out beautifully. I would never attempt a full wall mural, even though I can indeed draw and paint well.

It takes a lot of skill to get the proportions right when you are painting on a large scale on a wall. And to do something as familiar as Disney characters, large scale, on a wall? Do you or your husband really want your daughter's nursery to look like it was painted by that Italian grandma who decided to "restore" that centuries old fresco in her local church with a bunch of acrylics? I think not.

Just say no. Firmy. Insist your husband does too (and not in the wussy apologetic I am sorry but my wife is making me way).

Then, suggest she puts together a nursery in HER house for when you come to visit, where Larla can look forward to seeing her special mural at grandma's house.

A homemade attempt at a Disney character mural coupled with old furniture from yard sales? No, and no. Get your husband on board and cut off your MIL's cable so she quits watching so much hgtv

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"That's a great idea. I'll give it some thought."

"No thank you."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Why don't we come over after we've had a chance to settle in and decide which pieces of furniture will work for our needs?"

Where is your DH on this? Can he not say, "Mom, we're so glad you're excited and want to contribute, but remember this is our house and we're also rather excited to set it up as we wish. Please be patient and let us figure out what we want to do and where we need help."?

He doesn't want to hurt her feelings (which I understand - I don't either!), so he is inclined to let her paint something as long as I ok it. But he pretty much told her, "that's a great idea. give us some time to think about it!"

Could she paint on canvas and then you can "remodel" in a year?

That's a great idea! Part of my hesitation is that a mural just seems so permanent and I'd hate to paint over it in a few years when DD outgrows it.

If it's on canvas, you don't have to paint over it. Take it down at some point and save it or give it to BIL or SIL if they have a baby and need some loving decorations by Mom

Anonymous wrote:"Actually, DH & I are really looking forward to decorating our new home together and we already have some great ideas for DD's room but if we need more suggestions, we'll let you know."

This + We have been planning DDs room for years and we know just how we would like it. Thanks for you input. Great idea. You need to put a stop to it before too more is invested.

how about on the steps down to the basement - a spot that always needs some cheer but no one will judge you for it looking totally goofy. But no cartoons, please!!!

Is she an artist? Can she really paint a mural?

I just might let her do it to keep her occupied in the one room while you plan the rest of the house (especially the more public areas).

Anonymous wrote:"Actually, DH & I are really looking forward to decorating our new home together and we already have some great ideas for DD's room but if we need more suggestions, we'll let you know."

This times a thousand times. Be polite and firm in setting your boundary. It's your home. She can set up a nursery in her own home and decorate it any way she likes. And make sure your husband is just as firm.

"Actually, DH & I are really looking forward to decorating our new home together and we already have some great ideas for DD's room but if we need more suggestions, we'll let you know."

I told DH to tell his mother "this will never happen". Problem solved!