Adding

German

flavor

Kaiserhoff enhances decor with murals

BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Several rooms of the Kaiserhoff restaurant in downtown New Ulm recently experienced a "change of scenery."

Don and Jan Veigel, owners of the Kaiserhoff, hired Eagan artist Julie Meyer, to paint four murals inside the restaurant.

Work on the murals is expected to be completed by today, Meyer said. The project began a month ago.

The murals depict castles in Germany as well as the August Schell mansion in New Ulm as it appeared in the 1800s. Among the German castles are Stolzenfels Schloss and the famous Neuschwanstein Schloss. Rothenberg Street in Germany also appears in a mural.

Jan Veigel liked Meyer's work after seeing it in the mural at the Larkspur Market and Deli in downtown New Ulm. It inspired her to try something similar at the Kaiserhoff.

"I think it will be very nice. She's (Meyer) an excellent artist," said Jan Veigel, "I wanted something with castles in the dining room and we chose Schell's because we promote Schell's beer. We've got a lot of people who have said the murals add a lot to the atmosphere and that they have been to these places."

Other areas of the Kaiserhoff are also being painted and updated.

Meyer worked mainly from photographs on this project. She painted a brick-like window around each of the two castles, creating the impression that diners are looking out at the castles.

Meyer, who owns her own home business called "The Canvas Wall, specializes in an artistic style called Trompe L'oeil, which is French for "tricking the eye. This style gives the paintings a multi-dimensional look.

The Schell's mansion mural features the 1800s-era home complete with turrets or spires atop the house, a peacock, a deer, and a vineyard where a garden is currently located. The Schell's house no longer has the tall spires coming up from the house.

Meyer obtained old photographs and information about the Schell's house from Jodi Marti. Ted and Jodi Marti are the owners of the August Schell Brewing Company.

People entering the restaurant can see the Schell's mansion mural on the wall to the right.

Meyer has a local connection to New Ulm with her sister Rebecca Schoper who lives and works here.

"I never knew how good the food is here," said Meyer, "They've been very nice to me -- by feeding me. I feel like I'm getting to know the town well and I really like it here."

Meyer does mostly residential work, kitchens, children's rooms and various other rooms. She does consultations with potential customers to decide the contents of a mural.

"It's wonderful to be able to do what you love for a living," said Meyer.