I’ve had an idea saved in my inbox for a while – and the idea revolves around embossed wallpaper and paint (spray paint or normal). It’d add texture and interest to a room. You can paint it a metallic copper or something to make it look like metal. The two places I think it would be cool to affix are on a door or on a ceiling. I have a closet with sliding doors, and it would be super cool if I could get a panel on each of the four sections, because the wood of the doors isn’t anything I like (blergh!).

I’ve collected some resources with instructions on how to achieve this look, as well as pictures for inspiration, and a couple shopping suggestions based on what I think is cool.

I surfed around and saw that someone on Finishing.com mentioned that they, “I used paintable wallpaper that I bought at Lowes for about $10 a double roll. They have one design that actually looks liked old tin when painted..The design is raised and it is very authentic looking.” There are a lot of comments on that page that can give you some tips and different ideas. ApartmentTherapy has a post that covers how to step-by-step achieve the look of tin ceilings with embossed wallpaper. Warm copper paint on the paper reminds me of Californian stucco houses with wrought iron doors and mosaic tiled hallways. It also makes me want to buy a cool Moroccan light fixture or lantern light pendant thingy from World Market. IT’S EXOTIC.

The last thing I want to do is decorating the back of my door or the front of my closet doors with posters – that is something I did in high school, and in my dorm rooms. It’s predictable decorating, uninspired, and a total snooze fest. Plus, I always ended up tearing the edges of those posters when I was using the closets.

One site with lots of options is this Creative Wallcovering. Whereve you shop – Lowe’s, Home Depot, whatever – you’re looking for embossed, paintable wallpaper. Don’t just find embossed wallaper because the paper might not be able to have paint adhere to it without disintegrating or tearing. Can you imagine the frustration you’d have if you put yourself in that situation, paint all of your clothing – and your project falling apart? WORST NIGHTMARE EVER! (Or at least a bad nightmare.)

Alternative idea for those afraid to commit: Get a big stamp or stencil, and use two similar paint colors (for a 3D effect when you layer them just a bit) and stamp it in a pattern on a ceiling.

Textured Wallpapers White Vinyl, Textured Vinyl Embossed Wall Covering Kensington $19 from Amazon. Double roll 11 yards x 20 1/2 in. W for 56 sq. ft.

If you are interested in all of this but don’t want a big project… how about just painting your nails? Haha. I like PeaceKeeper Paint Me Patient Nail Polish (Shimmery Light bronze) $9 because metallics look great in the summer – on nails or toes, especially shining in the light against lightly sun-kissed skin.

Here’s another helpful link that uses step-by-step instructions for using embossed wallpaper on closet doors.

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