apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Living Etc March issue has this exact photo... they source the imperitiv wall panel with rail and katarina fabric from Ikea.

I've been wanting to do something like this in my kitchen for ages, but am stumped by what's probably a simple question: where do you buy perspex/plexiglass? Does home depot carry it?

Tap Plastics here in SF

http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/locations.php?lid=12

I bought some at Lowe's and they were able to cut it to size. I used it for the back of a bookcase and it's so cool to be able to see thru it.

What about outlets?

Most cities/towns have a local acrylic company (the same company that will make those little clear table top folded sign holders) that will cut sheet to size (even with holes for outlets or whatever) I've even had boxes and tables built custom. I would just google it. You can also cut acrylic with a jeweler's saw or even drill into it, but it can often crack, it's probably better to just leave it to the professionals....

Here's a huge plexiglass company online:

http://www.ridoutplastics.com/

You can browse all the different specs online and get a quote.

Plastic suppliers can sell you the special drill bit you need to drill into some of these plastics. They have a special tip, but aren't expensive. Just follow their instructions. The hardest part is they are super busy, so it helps to do some research first before going in. They are much more helpful if you can describe just what you are looking for.

Kia,

I would first make a paper/cardboard template of the space so the perspex fits exactly. If you do live in SF, Tap plastics is the best. You can have them cut it to size and pre-drill for screwing into the wall. You could glue the fabric to the perspex and then glue the whole thing to the wall so you don't see the screws.

If you need a complete DIY system you could actually apply the fabric to a wood board and then glaze/shellac/deco-podge (sp) over that and apply the whole to the wall.

Good luck,

Thanks SBDesign that sounds doable! Thanks everyone for your inputs! This site is amazing.

i would definitely use a backing board and attach the fabric to that (stretch it tight and staple it to the back). screw the board and the perspex to the wall at the same time. i would also seal the edges with a clear sealer. i could imagine grime working its way around the plastic and being very hard to clean.

Thanks for all your helpful comments!