Yesterday was like Christmas in my kitchen. After talking to Tim Clark, president of wall paneling manufacturer Decorative Panels International (DPI) a few days ago, his team sent me 10 large samples of designs that looked interesting to me. I rushed to open the box, propped the samples all over my kitchen, inspected and took photos. My mini review of the 10 samples and their potential for your Retro Renovation:
I absolutely love the paneling that is meant to mimic brick and stone. I would use it in a heartbeat in a room where I was working to create a mid-1960s and beyond vibe — one of these may even have potential for one wall in my office craft room design! The stuff is really sturdy and has a high quality feel — the whole panel is texture-pressed at DPI’s factory in Alpena, Michigan — bricks and stone “pop” out just like real bricks and stonework. The colors are great, very realistic. Overall, DPI has 5 distinct designs — a total of 12 colors — of wall panels that look like brick or stone. On these designs — I give 10 stars.
To clarify, DPI has many more wall paneling designs — wall panels that look like ceramic tile, stone tile, subway tile, marble tile, beadboard, textured wallpaper, knotty pine and wood paneling. Be sure to see their site (link below). Continuing on with a look at the other samples that I received…
Above is Honey Pine — This one, I think, is “okay”, a “maybe” depending… If I were going to do knotty pine, I would for sure do more research to find out if I could get the real deal vs. using this printed paneling. Real pine is relatively cheap. At some point, I will do more research on where to get real knotty pine (meanwhile watch craiglist and Re-Store for tear-out vintage.) Meanwhile, if you want cheap and cheerful and just-get-it-done, the Honey Pine paneling is okay. On the right is the Windworn paneling — greige, gouged with deep graining, and even though I am not a greige fan I think it is well executed — it looks just like its name, windworn wood, like driftwood and even a bit like pecky cypress.There are other washed out colors, too.
Above: Paneling that looks like white subway tile — I like it, it looks and “feels” great, however, I wish the “tiles” were 3″x6″ instead of 4″x8″ — DPI’s marketing team reports that the larger scale was a request of commercial customers — their largest market; dat’s business. In any case, I still like the subways — they seem good if you are on a tight budget and want to DIY. The Fireside Cherry paneling on the right: Not so sure. It’s sturdy enough, but I can see the difference between its rotogravure-printed surface design and the circa-1951 cherry veneer paneling in our basement man cave. I think a polished surface might help… I might try to slap some collage gloss on it and see if that *deepens* and *improves* the look; my original cherry paneling has a sort of “eggshell” finish that adds richness. I also have already talked to the two remaining manufacturers making true wood veneered paneling, and samples are on the way. I will compare and report back shortly.
Meanwhile: Lots of potential in these products from DPI. I see in the materials they sent me, they are no dinky company: They are owned by American Standard. Their brochure is also very good — ask your big box hardware store for a copy or see it online here.
Markie says
There is a red brick wall in my 1951 kitchen that I immediately wanted to paint cream…. after perusing more of your articles I decided to leave it and I’m so glad! Thank you for saving me from myself! lol
RAY HILLIARD says
do you have any catalogs
pam kueber says
Ray, we do not sell anything here. Contact the company in the story directly. Direct hotlinks to the company’s website are in bright bold blue – click on them to get to their websites.
cecelia says
Were in gauteng can we buy look like brick tiles for outside?
pam kueber says
Cecilia, contact the companies profiled to find out.
joseph pierce says
i would like to have samples to see how they look in my basement i need to refinish.The walls we wanted to look like brick
pam kueber says
Joseph, we do not sell anything here. You need to contact the companies profiled. Hotlinks are in bright bold blue
TerriLynn says
I just completed my kitchen project (except painting the trim) using the white tile board. I cannot believe the difference that something so simple has made! The wall was so damaged from 60 years worth of splashes and pots and pans wacking into it and now it is a beautiful white tile (look-a-like) that will wipe right off!
pam kueber says
Sounds great! Kate is going to email you, maybe we can show your project!
Scott says
Wow! Their Canyon Stone or Hacienda might just the miracle product I need to help me to affordably undo my unfortunate bathroom beadboard selection made before I discovered my inner MCM. 🙂
Robert says
I am looking for some wanes cot that has different sizes within the same panel and is only about 1/4 -5/16 thick. Any ideas?It almost looks like laminate flooring.One 6inch then about four 3inch then one 6inch and so on.
Rosalie says
I too am disappointed that the subway tile panels are not 3×6 impressions. I’d like to find some that is water resistant so I can use it as a shower surround and a back splash in my kitchen. I like great panels because they don’t lock you in to a style for the next forty years while you are paying for the actual tiles and installation etc. Maybe someone should mention to DPI that they are making a huge mistake by not considering the millions of individual buyers around the world. Take “bead board” panels for instance. See what I mean?!!
pam kueber says
Rosalie, if you want a *timeless* bath/tile surround, go for basic 4″ ceramic tile. See this story https://retrorenovation.com/2012/01/11/timeless-kitchen-and-bathroom-designn-kitchens-and-bathrooms/ … and, see this post: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/ I am not exactly sure, but if you want to go real “cheap and cheerful” there are always fiberglass panels — I think they even make them in tile-patterns these days.
TerriLynn says
In the reviews on homedepot.com the reviewers all used the aquatile as backsplashes in the kitchen and they say they clean up well.
This is a perfect solution for me! I have a long one sided galley type kitchen with the range at the end against a wall. All the food, grease, etc. splashes on the wall. I was going to do a tile, which meant it wouldnt be done for a while since I would have to save up, but this is a nice inexpensive solution and if I change my mind in a year, it wont be so painful!
Nancy Flowers says
Oh please send me the name, phone or email of how to get this brick or stone paneling, I have been looking for months and hit dead ends Thanks
pam kueber says
Hi Nancy, info on where to buy this is listed in the story, I think….