Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
When At Home needed a wood-paneled wall for a cover shoot, we were delighted to discover Stikwood ($200 to $500 for 40 square feet) at West Elm (Saint Louis Galleria, 314-863-5287, westelm.com). The adhesive wood paneling comes in colors like honey ash and black cherry, and some are even made from reclaimed wood. It gave us a quick and easy change—and led us to look for more new ways to do up our walls and break out of the blahs.
Curtain Call
Metal curtains have been popular in Spain and throughout the Mediterranean for more than a century, in part thanks to beautifully designed versions in anodized aluminum from Kriska Decor (kriskadecor.com). Patterns include the colorful Big Kaleidoscope and Botti ($2,160), the latter depicting an image of the Madonna inspired by the old masters.
Layering It On
If you need a pop of color or an outrageous pattern to make a wall stand out, movable, self-adhesive wall tiles ($50 for 32 square feet) from Blik (whatisblik.com) may be the answer. They come in lighthearted patterns such as Hula Girls, Fishwall (bright scales), and even Hello Kitty.
Chromed Out
For a wall that really makes a statement, check out aluminum and stainless-steel panels from Móz Metals + Architectural Products (mozdesigns.com). These pieces resemble abstract art—but with much easier installation. Móz mostly supplies these to commercial spaces, but a metal inlay in a bathroom or kitchen could be just the thing to give a room an artistically industrial feel.
Animal Magnetism
Tapestry tiles from Blackstock Leather (blackstockleather.com), made of eco-friendly upholstery leather, offer a richly colored, tactile backdrop for any room. Best of all, the tiles can be installed using a magnetic system, making them easy to rearrange or take with you when you leave.
Waste Not Wallpaper
Living in an apartment? That doesn’t mean your walls have to remain landlord-approved beige. Check out wall decals and removable wallpaper from Spoonflower (spoonflower.com). Among the decals, Sherlock Holmes silhouettes are a best-seller. The self-adhesive papers—featuring images such as photorealistic crabs, LEGOs, and leather scale armor—stick to most surfaces, so you can doll up areas from the door to the refrigerator.
Pump It Up
For people with humps, bumps, and lumps in their walls, embossed paintable wallpaper may be the best option. Designed to cover wall irregularities, these papers have raised patterns including simple stripes and complex whorls. Best of all, with prices starting around $12 a roll at places like Lowe’s (multiple locations, 800-445-6937, lowes.com), they are one of the cheapest options—yet offer instant elegance.
