DIY Mid-Century Modern/Retro wall screen and back-lighting ideas
April 11, 2017 7:40 PM   Subscribe

Seeking design suggestions to finish off this in-progress wall screen/fence.

Due to efflorescence seeping from the wall, I built this mid-century modern style screen to cover it up and spruce up this building.

The requirements were:
1) Reasonably cheap and easy to obtain materials
2) Easily removable for yearly power-washing yet framing should be resilient to the elements
3) Retro look

I'm now looking to complete the unfinished ends/corner areas. There are numerous beautiful mid-century modern patterns I could implement. However, I do not want to inadvertently choose a clashing design. I did try holding up the galvanized roofing panels in vertical position. It was too much. I also tried faux ivy and that did not look too great. I thought about adding translucent rectangle panels and back-lighting them (as I plan to back-light the moorish circle screens anyway). However I'm worried this too will clash with what I have presently.

So I'm looking for ideas. Perhaps a pattern to implement as a screen (I can make it from wood, or purchase a pre-fabricated screen) that would complement the existing look; or a completely different treatment that would be aesthetically fitting?

I will also need a cost effective way to back-light the lattice screens. LED rope light seems easy enough, but I presume I will need to diffuse the light. I'm not sure usual methods will work however (wax paper, stencil sheets, translucent acrylic or plastic sheets, etc) since the LEDs will be so close behind the screen panels. I'm guessing I will need larger individual lights that broadcast more widely behind the panels? I'm clueless about whats out there for this purpose and would appreciate product suggestions.

Thanks.
posted by mefitem to Home & Garden (2 answers total)
 
I am not sure about the lighting part of the project, but looking at your pictures, my first thought was graffiti, either mixing up a contemporary work that complements your mid century aesthetic or doing a Pollock inspired paint flinging extravaganza. Lots of interesting ideas from a Google Image search for "mid century graffiti" - good luck!
posted by danabanana at 9:05 AM on April 12, 2017


The best way I've found to diffuse LED tape is lots of thin sheets of plexiglass that's then sanded on both sides. If you have 1/2" of space it's much better to do 2 @ 1/4" plexi strips sanded on both sides and stacked together, rather than 1 @ 1/2" plexi sanded on each side. More instances to scatter the light is better. Also if there is enough space run the LED tape around the outer perimeter perpendicular to the screens so that the LEDS are pointed towards the center. You'll get some scallops around the edge but if you can get the LED tape recessed enough and their bright enough it can look real good.
posted by Uncle at 6:05 PM on April 12, 2017


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