Asked on Oct 11, 2017

How would you decorate a large kitchen wall with this ?

Jeannie
by Jeannie
We bought this FL condo, furnished, which is a little too formal for me. I bought the metal pieces, pictured below, at a yard sale, thinking they could be put to some creative use of that space. But now I’m stuck Without an idea!

I’’m trying to “ deformalize“ it a bit. The wall space I’m trying to decorate has an irregular height from 70” H- 86” due to vaulted ceilings. And is about 12’ wise. The space is above “pinkish/beige “ 😖 kitchen cabinets ( 12” deep ) which is open to semi formal living room and dining space. Colors are neutral with some aqua and gold. Right now the walls are painted white. Thank you for any and all ideas.
3 separate metal pieces
Close up shot of one. Each of the 3 pieces measure 15” X 77”
  24 answers
  • Kate Kate on Oct 11, 2017

    You could fill each cavity with fabric/glass/paper. making them look like stained glass. Hang them on the wall in a staggered lift pattern.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 11, 2017

    can you take photos of the room it self

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 11, 2017

      Hi Janet,

      We don't live there full time, so the only picture I have that I have shows a piece of the kitchen, I will try to attach, below.

  • Castrang17 Castrang17 on Oct 11, 2017

    Well, the area is open above the kitchen cabinets, which is open to dining/living space, and then you mention a vaulted wall, so I am suggesting to not hang the metal pieces on the wall but hang them with chain in the open area. Free hang individuality or chain together and hang securely. A professional carpenter with a tall ladder, is a must. To deformalize your area, repaint some of your gold areas and repaint the pinky beige. Now you must work on a new color scheme. I see bringing a green color into the area. So, sit back and look at the room(s) and think color, then paint the metal pieces. Do not paint white as they will disappear but paint a contrasting color. Use as wall dividers (add wood on bottom with rollers for multiple use inside or out. Or in garden as trielis for climbing flowering vines. I hope, I have given you ideas for thought.

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 11, 2017

      Hi Castrang,

      sorry...maybe I wasn't clear. There is not an open space, but a wall above the cabinets. The only gold is the couch ( beigish gold) and there are gold tones ( lamps, frames). See below. I really need to fill in the wall space above the cabinets with those things or something else. Putting wood with rollers on the bottom is a creative idea, although not needed, there. If I don't use the metal things on that wall, I may use them as a trellis, as you mentioned. Thank you for your ideas.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on Oct 11, 2017

    I would hang them all at the same height on the center of the wall. Depending on width of the wall they can be touching or up to a foot apart. Shabby them. You want something to contrast with the white of the wall but pulls color out of something else in the room. You can chalk paint and sand edges to accent. Then wax or spray a nonyellowing poly on it. Use the very center unit only to hand a modern wreath from. By modern I mean one of the cute burlap ones or just a plain green leaf one - square or round.

  • FL FL on Oct 11, 2017

    Gorgeous architectural detail hung in a group or alone as is! It may make the room slightly less formal but the pieces are a classical (gothic, maybe?) design, and has clean lines, so the elegance will live on! How about something to bridge elegance and casual, like an ethnic, handmade-looking table runner or a vintage birdcage setting on the floor or hung with a vine plant hanging out of the bars and over the sides? You don't want to wear a macaroni necklace on a Gucci dress, so easy does it!

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 11, 2017

      Hi Ficher,

      I get ya! I am trying to bridge the gap between elegance and casual..and there lies the problem!!Thank you for your thoughts.., no macaroni necklaces or Gucci dresses for this girl.

  • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 11, 2017

    Thank you, Kelly. That seems like an easy fix ( which I was looking for). Did you see the photos of my color scheme, above? What color would you suggest? Do you have a pic or the burlap you are suggesting? I would go so far as to paint the wall, just that wall...if that makes for a better design. The colors I have are soft and neutral except for touches of aqua.

  • Julie M. Julie M. on Oct 11, 2017

    Have you considered cutting the arch pieces out of the top of each one before you paint? I think the linear look without the arch would take away the traditional/formal look. I think I would be inclined to then turn the open large square on the bottom.

    Maybe something like this? https://www.pinterest.com/pin/536632111841875684/

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Oct 11, 2017

    You could consider attaching a fabric to those thingies from the back to fill in the spaces and bring more lively colors in. I still can't picture your space so no advice where to place them. Another thought is to use them with a sheer fabric or paper attached from the back and light behind it to appear like another window.

    • See 2 previous
    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 12, 2017

      I had thought of something like that. Thanks for the tip!

  • FL FL on Oct 11, 2017

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Oct 12, 2017

    Btw.....i think you should paint that wall! The cabinets are so light that everything blends together to make it blah beige.


    A seafoam color or even better, a "brave" copper or bronze would pop while not being overpowering as it's broken up by the cabinets - and especially the lit up thingies Lol!

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 12, 2017

      ohhh. Now you're talking! I was thinking seafoam, but that is alot of seafoam! But the copper...hmmmm...🤔I kind of like that...TY

  • Deb Deb on Oct 12, 2017

    Definitely paint that space and hang in a group of 3 with specs in between them. Groupings are always done in uneven numbers. Casual. Shabby Chic is definitely Copper wall and no fuss with the metal grouping. Just space them so it's not too much all together. Might look overwhelming.

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 12, 2017

      Hi Deb,

      Funny..I c u r from Naples. That's where this condo is! Would u paint the metal things? im not crazy about the 'beige' they are painted, now. Do u think the proposed wall color of copper goes with the 'pinkish beige' cabinets?

  • Deb Deb on Oct 12, 2017

    Copper wall and space between each piece is perfect. No fuss. Chic look.

  • Karen Karen on Oct 12, 2017

    I like the painting of the wall Idea. Maybe a color to match that chair in the first pic. Pls post pics of the "after"!

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 12, 2017

      I'm liking the idea of painting the wall, too. i will post with whatever I do. I love all the ideas. Great group!

  • SLF SLF on Oct 13, 2017

    I would use spray paint on the metal arches that simulates wrought iron, rusted metal, hammered metal or even stone. WalMart has a good selection. Paint the wall a grey/blue and then have the metal in a contrast color such as rust or dark stone.

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 13, 2017

      Thank you for your idea, SLF. I like the idea of contrasting colors to make the metal things stand out. Great tip on Walmart. I don't always remember to check there.

  • Dee Dee on Oct 13, 2017

    If you have the space I would hang them horizontaly . With S hooks I would hang pots or plants , pictures baskets .....

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 13, 2017

      Clever! I never thought of that...although I would still have the 7' wall space above the 'rack' that would still be blank.

  • Sunnysgirl46 Sunnysgirl46 on Oct 14, 2017

    Patina !

  • Mro164 Mro164 on Oct 14, 2017

    Jeannie, I love the metal pieces you bought. I would think about painting them and then “shabby” them with some light sanding, so they aren’t a solid color and hang them as a grouping. I think filling them in or covering in fabric might make them too heavy looking. Good luck, they are cool pieces! Meg

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 14, 2017

      Thank you for your thoughts, mro164. I always go for the informal shabby/cottage or farm look at home. This is a vacation home which was furnished when we bought it and has a more formal look. I am trying to bridge the gap And maybe just that little bit of light sanding will Help to get me there. TY

  • Barb Barb on Oct 14, 2017

    HA I used My old screen tent brackets like that for a trellis to hold up a grapevine . I thought about putting them on the wall in the house or making a shelf of them. Now that I see your wall If you had 4 of them I would do two one way and two the other around the top of the wall end to end not up and down . Kind of like making a border over the cabinets . That depends on how wide the wall is really .

    If you were to have a wall where you could place them at the floor I would make a shelf out of them . Using a plank of wood and some screws and L brackets its very simple to do .YOu could get 3 shelves or even 4 between each set of them .

  • Sandy Doyle Sandy Doyle on Oct 15, 2017

    For a wall color, why not pick up the color of an accent pillow, chair, sofa, or color in the area rug, etc which will really accent that color more so when you have it on your one wall. Then your metal pieces will really stand out.

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 15, 2017

      Yes, Sandy, that would b a good way to tie in colors. TY

  • Carolyn Bragg Carolyn Bragg on Oct 15, 2017

    You could use Gorilla Gel Glue (or do it right) to attach hinges and treat it as a folding screen. Put soft plastic feet on the bottom bars to protect the floor.


    If you put it on the wall, make sure they are securely fastened (won’t fall on anyone), and put plastic feet on the back to protect the wall.


  • Debra Debra on Oct 16, 2017

    I love aqua and see that you have touches of it also. I would paint the arches and inside aqua and the bordered outside of it bronze. I have used "Waverly chalk paint by Plaid-called "Truffle"-it is an acrylic paint-matte finish-no prep-purchased at Wal-Mart. It dries a nice bronze color. I wanted an aqua color also-but they were out of stock. I am sure they would be available at any 'home store' or 'craft store'. Good luck on whatever you decide. The pieces you have are gorgeous. I love wrought iron decor pieces.

  • Margaret Margaret on Oct 16, 2017

    Sand, repaint. Add some hinges and maybe make a tri-fold room divider

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 17, 2017

      Thx Margaret, but I was looking to fill in some wall space, above cabinets with them.

  • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 16, 2017

    I have used Annie Sloan chalk paint, but never heard of the waverly. Nice to know that you have with success. Is the look you are suggesting to create is a rusted look? If so, I like that. It seems it maybe a cleaner shabby look. TY

  • Sharon Sharon on Oct 17, 2017

    Since I see the aqua accents, I think I would paint that space above the cabinet aqua and paint the counter below the countertop aqua, add a puck light shining up from the cabinet and put in a fabulous large glass piece.... http://phoenixstainedglass.moonfruit.com/gallery/4582243546

    I think I would even paint the cabinets a paler aqua

    I like your find, but don't see it working there.

    • Jeannie Jeannie on Oct 17, 2017

      hi sharon,

      I appreciate your honest feedback. I don't have to use it...and I may not unless an idea really strikes. I like the puck lighting idea of whatever I decide to put up there.