Ever since that pregnancy test confirmed your baby's imminent arrival, you've been dreaming about her bedroom. You researched cribs, sourced bedding and hunted down just the right rocker, but something's missing – specifically from the walls. A paint job would do, but for a more original solution, consider a mural.

Allyn Howard, a Brooklyn-based painter and illustrator with a background in scenic art for the television and film industries, offers custom nursery and playroom murals that turn a ho-hum space into a kid-friendly place. All designs are first discussed at a consultation then sketched so there's plenty of time for edits. With images ranging from simple but whimsical elements (like a few cute critters clustered in a corner) to intricate jungle and woodland scenes that call for maximum wall space, there's something for every taste and budget.

The end result is lasting and personal – at least until you need to move.

For more information, visit allynhoward.com.