The Vision: Nine Rooms, Nine Legends
At the Golden Mermaid Villa, we believe every stay should feel like stepping into a beautifully curated fantasy. To bring our aquatic theme to life in a truly custom way, we decided to commission original wall art for each of our nine unique bedrooms.
The goal? Nine distinct mermaids, each with her own name, signature color palette, and a special connection to the enchanting landscapes and coastal myths of our surrounding islands. This personal touch ensures that every guest room tells its own compelling story.
Finding Our Artistic Alchemist
Custom art requires finding the perfect collaborator. After researching various platforms—including Upwork, Dribbble, ArtStation, and Fiverr—we were drawn to Behance by Adobe for its high caliber of professional artists.
We posted our detailed project brief and reviewed dozens of portfolios before finding our ideal partner: An Prosochkina from Tbilisi, Georgia. Her unique style and evident passion for storytelling made her the perfect fit to bring the Golden Mermaid world to life.
Inspired by the Past: The Art Nouveau Muse
The Golden Mermaid Villa itself was constructed during the height of the Art Nouveau movement—a period celebrated for its organic, flowing lines and natural forms.
To honor the villa’s history, we chose this exquisite style as the foundation for our mermaid series. Anna provided various references, and we selected the Art Nouveau aesthetic immediately. It perfectly blends the villa’s historical architecture with the fluid beauty of the mermaid theme.
The Design Process: Blending History and Myth
To guide Anna’s vision for the first piece, we provided a mood board that anchored the art to the Villa’s identity:
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A photograph of the dramatic rock formations off Mosteiros to inspire the landscape.
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An image of the Seareina Rogers Mermaid (from Pirate Fashions) for anatomical inspiration.
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The Golden Mermaid Villa logo to establish core branding colors and mood.
Anna quickly delivered stunning initial sketches. We selected a pose that felt both regal and dynamic. From there, the magic happened:
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Line Art Refinement: Anna perfected the Art Nouveau curves and details.
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Color Enchantment: We explored various palettes, ultimately choosing high contrast to ensure the artwork truly pops against the bedroom walls.
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The Golden Touch: We specifically requested the outer border be emphasized with a rich yellow hue to echo the iconic warm color of the Villa’s exterior.
The First Legend is Complete!
After a little over a month of dedicated collaboration, the first of our nine mermaids is officially complete and approved! She is a magnificent blend of history, myth, and bespoke design.
We are now moving on to the exciting phases of printing, framing, and installation in the first room. Soon, we will begin the journey to create the next eight unique island legends.
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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.
