wow! what a wall! when i saw those pics, i immediately thought of this:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/colortherapy-painting-project-1-120039

3 or 4 linear prints, shelving, gallery wall of family photos or vacation spots.
You can even drop a beautiful rug or wall hanging in that area. At the least, a large mirror.

This wall is smaller, and the text is not in English, but maybe it helps:
http://www.otthon.com/kedvenc_otthon/20120514/szinjatek_ket_szinten/

How about the old-fashioned, pull-down school maps, the kind that are on rollers? I've come across several in flea markets lately. The really cool ones are a little faded and show configurations of countries that don't even exist anymore; I saw one that even included the Belgian Congo. Schools are dumping their maps because most classrooms now have projectors attached to computers for their maps exercises. You can probably get something pretty cheap. Also, you can find large format blueprints for all sorts of things (bridges and other feats of engineering) that are interesting. Best of luck!

A water installation would be really cool, but then I'm not sure where you would move the television to. Floating shelves would be another less labor intensive option.

I don't have a picture, but I have similar wall in my house except that mine has an open interior window basically between and above where the lights are on that wall. I have decided to use the wall as an art, "installation" wall if you will. I'm going to vary what's up there whenever something occurs to me. Some thoughts I've had is a moving stream of banners or flags tied end-to-end that navigates the wall. They could even be used to frame sections of the wall where art is displayed. My girlfriend and I are painting a large map of Paris spread across several canvases which we are going to put there at some point as well. I also just moved in and am looking for ideas so keep 'em coming people!

I think a large-scale tapestry would look really cool on that feature wall.

I love the tall shelves in Eva's link. Perhaps flank the sconces with tall bookcases, connect them with low shelves for media in between, and then leave that large space between the sconces for a big, dramatic, fun piece of artwork. My problem is the opposite -- right now all the art I want is bigger than the wall spaces I have left! A big, bold contemporary folk art piece would look great. Something like Fishboy's work: http://www.fishboygallery.com/

Ditto to mizinformation's suggestion. Also try searching "loft" here on AT-- you'll find TONS of great ideas-- from giant artwork, to creative painting techniques, to shelves, or even wallpaper.

Here's my go-to solution for quick, cheap but totally brilliant art, scaled as large or a small as you'd like.

Get some small-ish artists' canvases, all the same size & shape, I like the 9"x12' ones

Use a roller and a sample can of wall paint and evenly cover the surfaces & sides of each canvas.

When they are dry, use scotch tape or similar to tape them butted tight together on the back side only...choose a shape you like, that will fit on your wall with room to spare, so, rectangle, square, random shape, whatever. Now you're left with a big, painted 'shape' in canvas.

Turn the 'shape' over so the painted side is facing you, then splatter colored paint (in one or multiple colors) in various directions across the 'shape' of canvas. Yes, you will need to use drop-cloths on surrounding areas, (or do it outside!) but if you use acrylic craft paint you'll be able to clean up any oversplatter quite easily.

When the splatters are dry, hang the canvases so the splatters 'match up', but with a gap of about 2" between each one.

I wish I had a photo for you, but trust me, it's easy enough for kids to do (and a brilliant kids' party activity too, everyone gets to take home their own piece of art) but it's also speedy, cheap and gives a great result.

I rarely see folks make use of "projected" art - either with a computer and projector, or better, and old-fashioned slide projector. An image can be projected as large as one wishes, and changed at whim.

being fairly addicted to art, I wouldn't have a problem getting it filled with a spare 10foot x 10foot canvas I have lying around......BUT I just love StephenTBell's projector idea. One for the memory bank that!

Chalie MacKenzie: What it really needs a huge poster of the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

I'd love to see 2 or 3 simple, wall-mounted shelves with a large piece of artwork above them. Having more than one element on the wall will help add some verticality and make the wall a little less imposing of a space to tackle.

Since your decor is pretty neutral, you can afford to do something brighter or bolder for the artwork. If you follow a suggestion like MADAME SUGGIA's and DIY something, you can always paint over the canvas if you decide you're not into the color.

Side note to AT: it would be awesome if we could upload images in the comments. Then I could photoshop some shelves onto the wall and post that as my response!

I would commission an artist to do a large abstract oil painting. One of my favorite artists is Jean-Paul Riopelle - check him out !!

@StephenTBell That's exactly what I thought too - a projection would be fantastic. Or buy a huge canvas and create a DIY Jackson Pollock.

...but in all seriousness, get rid of the wall sconces. What are they illuminating? I had a two story loft like this and hung a velvet theater curtain on one end an old theater marquee on the other end. Granted that was cool back then and may be dated today - today I'd hire a muralist to do a huge painting of something personal to me.

...a buddy of mine does these huge drawings that would look cool on your wall:

http://mattwoodwardart.com/

If you're on a budget and want some quick inexpensive punch - I'd get a couple of rolls of interesting wallpaper and hang them on dowels (similar to the wallhanging in the photo) but longer - play with different patterns and colors or same pattern in different colorways. Wallpaper is 27" wide typically, so you could create 4 or 5 vertical elements. You could also try fabric banners.. Ikea usually carries boldly patterned fabrics. Good luck!

First thing that comes to mind for such an amazing wall:

http://www.eccoluce.com/en/

LED illuminated wallpaper. Boosh!

Oooh: Best of both worlds: Go with the pull-down school map idea, situated high enough that when it's rolled up you can use the wall for project art or have a Friday night movie party.

Buy large white canvas, about 3. All the same size. Buy acrylics and have a party with your friends and family and let them create the artwork for you. We did that in our large condo wall behind the sofa and it looks great. My family painted taking turns and the rule was to only paint line art, could be lines or shapes done with lines. It turned out great and it is a great story to tell. It also looks unfinished which is even better. You can decide what colors you want and buy only those acrylics!

I have this GIANT clock on my oversized loft wall, at over 4 feet tall is's a pretty cool focal point http://www.theclockdepot.com/Howard_Miller_Stockton_625-472_Large_Wall_Clock.html

Other idea would her GIANT chalkboard wall and get creative. If you love maps then do the ENTIRE thing in chalkboard paint and draw your own world map, change the name of countries etc...

I just saw the Thomas Paul shower curtain, with an octopus motif. My immediate thought was put that on a stretcher frame and have a great art print!

when we moved into a loft with a giant wall, it was the perfect solution for the boyf's ridiculous movie poster collection (which until then had been driving me nuts). We framed about 8 or so movie posters (mostly full sized but one or two smaller) and layered them like a frame wall. They look great and fill up the space, and now we don't have as many tubes of posters lying around. win-win-win!

hang a rug btw the sconces. i'd say saris but that clearly is not your style.

I think the space would look great with a large horizontal painting that could be positioned underneath the two wall lights and I would hang something like patrick townsend's orbit chandelier from up above closer to that wall! Also like strikermary says a wall full of posters can look great.

I have a gigantic, empty wall too. Last night, a friend suggested I paint a couple large sheets of plywood and hang them up. Just solid colors. I think it's a good idea.

I'm also considering buying a huge chalkboard from university surplus.

A friend of mine had an apt with a wall like this once. He used it to project his TV - got something cheap at best buy to do so. Was awesome at parties to have music videos going in the background, etc.

Get a projector!

here's a possibility:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/house-tour-kevin-dop-92391

i projected a photo of a flock or birds (using an LCD projector), traced them with pencil, and painted them with leftover wall paint. i didn't want to overwhelm the space while accentuating the height of the room.

not too difficult and not hard to change later on.
good luck!
kevin

A humongous flat screen TV or a projection screen would be lovely (man- or woman cave like )

You need a focal point. A fireplace would be lovely

Textiles. Hang an antique rug, a handmade quilt, a vintage kimono, several obi, a Japanese Boys'Day banner, a suzani embroidery.

Or a collection of masks.

Designer's Guild map wallpaper! Comes in many colors and is awesome!!

http://www.designersguild.com/fabric-and-wallpaper-showroom/view-all-collections/air-de-paris-wallpapers/voyage/

What about an actual object like an old wrought iron gate, or a penny-farthing bicycle, etc. Something that will stick out but not too far, and which you could use uplighters to make interesting shadows.

We had the same "problem" years ago. We met Sabra Richards at an arts festival and loved her work so much that we asked her to choose some fiber/glass/wood wall sculptures for us that were perfect. She works mostly in glass these days, but her work is still stunning: http://web.mac.com/sabrarichards/SiteSabra_Richards_Glass_%26_Steel.Mac/Installation_Photos.html

The layout of your place reminds me a LOT of the layout of a home Courtney and Robert Novogratz did in manhattan. Here's the link: http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2011/07/30/home-by-novogratz-cortney-talks-on-taking-design-sky-high/
What they did was draw the eye upward with oversized pendant lighting and they got some over scale artwork for the stairway area. You could probably hang two large canvas artworks over each other as long as they were related somehow.

I would go with "library" shelving at the same height as the bottom of the loft and carry it all the way across the room from that point over almost to the window to tie it into the architecture. I would then move the seating area over to center it on the shelving and put a sculpture on a pedestal, or a plant, in the resulting niche near the window itself. And I would use the shelving you currently have behind your chairs somewhere else and replace it with a narrow table.

Some of the lower areas could have doors, files, or baskets for storage of things you don't want to look at, or (since I like old maps too) you could mount a map right on the shelving to hide things when pulled down yet offer easy access.....maybe use the map to hide the TV when you're not watching it. Certainly some areas could be left more open for the TV, for art and other decorative objects, by eliminating some shelves. If you want to integrate it into the environment as it is, paint the shelving the same color as the wall. That would be my choice, to make it look as much like the architecture as possible, and because if you use IKEA shelving, it looks custom rather than "inexpensive".

I've done something like that with IKEA shelving and there have been plenty of examples of it here on the site. Lighting can be incorporated into the unit , so you could eliminate the sconces, and a lamp with a dimmer could be placed on the table behind the chairs for reading or for even more ambient lighting. I think the IKEA shelving looks better when some molding is placed over the seams where the shelving units butt up against each other so it looks like one piece, and also if they are elevated so that molding can be placed top and bottom so they look genuinely built in.

Great place. Congrats and enjoy !

How about... Nothing?

There's lots going on in a compact space already, so a bit of clear spae may be needed to give your eyes a break... Don't fear space my friend!

If you don't want to paint something on, you could get several large scale wall decals
http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/explore/lacy-sunday

I would also second the idea of hanging a large item, if you anchor it properly into the studs the weight wont be an issue. My former roomate has a large wagon wheel on her wall and it was pretty cool.

How about a museum street banner?
http://www.betterwall.com/#

YUL:. I didn't mean to commission Riopelle himself, but an artist to replicate a Riopelle!!

I love the idea someone suggested to use those lights to highlight two big, symmetrical works (two maps that are longer than they are wide, for example, would be perfect - but anything else would work too - canvases, decals, etc.) To do that, though, I think you'd have to reconfigure your furniture a bit - move the media console to the center, and possibly flip your chairs around to the other side, or do one on each side, in front of the maps, and put your expedit in front of the window on it's side, or something like that.

Oh, and if you're on a budget / don't want anything to permanent - there's always the Rasterbator!

*too

I don't think it stated you are renting so this gives you more flexibility.....

why not just paint that wall as an accent wall. Nothing too bold but just enough to give it something thereby the wall itself is a statement and you could get away with just that essentially?

you could also fill the wall with bookcases and incorporate your tv into the mix and then lean a few large paintings at varying heights above the bookcases. That would look cool! but maybe not so cheap, so yeah, paint the wall :)

I would get rid of the weirdo lights for sure too.

Paint your own map on the wall! You could use a projector to project an image you like on the wall then paint it yourself for giant wall art that won't seem clunky.

1) a big beautiful blanket or handmade-looking textile of some kind... moderately priced ones are around, if you are willing to go on a quest for them.

2) several beautiful Chinese kites in butterfly/fish/ dragonfly etc. shapes.

3) try this place for big murals
http://www.eazywallz.com/

4) and this place for old maps of Paris
http://wallpaper.rollout.ca/category/wanderlust-paris

I love Dulcibella's idea, above, of KITES. Colorful AND lightweight and probably easy to hang up. Or Japanese kites, rather than Chinese.

The idea of a collection of things that you couldn't showcase in a smaller area is also great. One person suggested masks or movie posters. Both great ideas! Do you have any collections that are special to you, or that you're tempted to start accumulating? Tribal masks? Mexican wrestling masks?

I also like the idea of large textiles, though those could be weighty and pricey. But if I had the bucks and the wall space, I'd be putting some Moroccan wedding blankets up there.

Also, you can buy large-page art books for cheap at Half Price bookstores or sometimes at thrift shops or Salvation Army, etc. and frame those in identical frames to group them for an instant large collection.

Another idea would be to hang some large and/or long-chained light pendants from the ceiling, at staggered heights, though you might want a pro to do that for you.

Once you come up with something and do it, I'm sure we'd all love to see an After photo! :)

What about brick, or wood panels?

I'd use a long large beautiful textile. Ceiling to floor if possible.

I liked the idea of *nothing* too. Maybe just some paint, but not wildly dramatic.

But, you know, you don't have to get something just for the sake of hanging something up. It should be something you actually really like for itself.

I would make it an accent wall by painting it. I would also put up paintings and pictures of my favorite things on it.

I would build an extention from the level of the 2nd floor, as wide as the wall on the right, going all across - and have a nest up there for reading, being a bit away, for kids' play, if needed matrass for guests, or maybe a little office space, or library. Cozy, fun.

I was just scrolling down to post my idea when I saw the same one posted by Akay. I see low shelves along the base of the wall, and a very oversized artwork above it.

What a great space, I think you should take it farther and warm it up before hanging art/maps. Install a warm medium colored wood wall either vertical or horizontally. It would allow you to add shelves and tie in some great urban sconces. It would make the furniture really POP. Good luck

http://zeospot.com/award-winning-br-house-by-marcio-kogan/modern-contemporary-room-interior-decorating-2/

I would like to cover a wall like this in clocks of all shapes and sizes. If you've ever been in a clock shop, you know how the symphony of ticks & tocks creates a water-like white noise that can disguise outside noise. And for fun, keep your guests guessing by only setting ONE to the correct time, but don't tell them which one.

Another idea I had recently was to cover a wall in distressed, salvaged doors. Old wood has a very soothing effect to me and using architectural salvage is very green. If you find some with glass panels (missing or not, the glass doesn't matter) you can put a picture of an outdoor scene behind it. Put different scenes next to each other (Taj Mahal through one door, the pyramids through another, etc) and pretend they're your portals to the world. Obviously, leave the knobs on the inside of the door and you can have a lot of fun with antique hardware.

There are a lot of great ideas on here, Scott. I love the antique map idea. I think something old that won't overpower with a lot of random color (like modern maps would) is the perfect fit. Think old nautical maps. You could do a custom wallpaper mural. I have a friend who did one and it looks very cool. They had it done through Canvas Press - www.canvaspress.com. Can't wait to see what you decide.

You are sooooo lucky!

You can get some inspiration from Abigail Ahern house. She covered a similar wall with "books".

Like in here http://manmakehome.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/dscf4009.jpg?w=500 and here http://mydeco.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/abigail-aherne-basement1.jpg

You can do some amazing things in that room. Good luck!

Bold, Colorful oversized art would definitely make this a "statement" wall! I have some gorgeous contemporary original, oversized paintings that would really pop on this wall:

http://www.madartdesigns.com/oversized-original-paintings.html

Like some others have said, I'd first go with an all over pattern--removable wallpaper or have some paint a subtle pattern.

I'd rework the room and open the living area to the kitchen/dining area by putting the two chairs in front of the window. I understand that they were placed facing the window for the view but once you live in a place a while that becomes unnecessary. It feels like everything is crammed into that corner.

Then create a big gallery wall over the pattern and make the tv part of the mix--use the art hung on other walls and add other stuff--framed fabric, posters, silhouettes, mirrors, etc. I know this is more than you asked for, sorry! just putting it all out there...

Scott, I have a VERY similar layout and this is what I did on my jumbo wall:

Before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whizbangsolutions/7257664814/in/photostream

After: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whizbangsolutions/7257664758/in/photostream/

(Don't mind the horrible light and overly minimalist furniture...it's been changed since I took these shots)

I found an artist I liked on Etsy and asked him if he could product something of a different scale for one of his works I liked. A couple of things that I considered:

1) A big white wall needs color. Especially if many of your furnishings are neutral (which both of ours are). That means pretty saturated color...no pastels or anything.
2) I know there is temptation to get something huge, but beware: if the viewer of the peice can't stand back from it significantly, then you shouldn't go too far up the wall. My ceilings are 16 feet tall and my room is about 18 feet deep, so I chose not to fill the space. Instead, I selected a piece that people will be able to take in without straining their necks. The artwork you see in my photo is 8 feet (plus a fw inches) wide x 4 feet tall.
3) I got the added benefit of supporting an individual artists. It wasn't too expensive (under $1K).
4) If anything changes in my decor, the work I selected is flexible...it's actually 4 panels. So I could use them individually or in groups elsewhere.

I'm happy to post more photos if it's helpful. Like I said, our floor plans are very similar and I've put a bunch of work into making it look great...hoping I feel worth of entering small/cool next year.

Good luck!

I would suggest a large wall art, acoustic panel made of stretched fabric. On top of the acoustic qualities, the different fabric textures would add warmth to the room and can be custom made to use some of the colors already used in the room. Check out <A HREF=http://www.lordeco.com>www.lordeco.com</A> for a gallery of panels. Any size decorative panel and color scheme could be made to suit your personal taste.

What about a really cool color of paint to make that entire wall pop (a fabulous orange or a retro avocado green)? It would add something to the overall color scheme but still be modern and minimalist (as the rest of the room appears to be).

This is kind of freaky sounding, but I think we live in the same building. Seriously. I've been in my space a year and a half and still don't know what to do with that wall.

A painting that would fit would be so huge, it would be cumbersome to move. Not to mention hang.

Consider a wall hanging, tapestry kind of thing. Or one of those wall paper murals.

We find that what we're doing with paintings and other artworks can really transform a space like this. Have a look at our new website http://www.surfaceview.co.uk All produced to custom sizes and a range of different images and products for options.

I wonder how an arc lamp or hanging lights (might be hard to do) would look in here from the couch area. Might help give the wall a frame of reference - could hang smaller artwork at eye level and do something bigger at the top. Also this looks like a Seattle loft to me :)