Kiss the flat, matte wall goodbye. Interior designers and decorators have been singing the praises of wallpaper for a while now, but lately "papers" are being replaced with amazing new surface materials that make wall coverings more like a piece of art. The latest looks to hit walls are rich, textured coverings in everything from laser cut wood and bamboo to glass and precious metals, bursting with color and shine.

Maya Romanoff, an international leader in innovative surface coverings, has been responsible for developing exciting new technology that makes rigid materials such as glass and wood flexible enough to wrap around corners with ease.

"The exciting part about our products is the element of surprise — no one expects materials like glass, mica and mother-of-pearl to be used as wall coverings in the first place, and then they're flexible and versatile as well," enthuses Maya Romanoff, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer of the Maya Romanoff Corporation.

Are these unique wall coverings just for the avant garde décor? Certainly not. There is a myriad of choices suitable for any style, from modern to traditional to eclectic. Here's a look at the hottest, current looks to consider for your home:

Luminous

Wall coverings that capture and reflect light are all the rage in interior design. Romanoff's latest incarnation, Mother of Pearl, gleams with a soft sheen and is a product every bit as beautiful as its rare, natural source. Available in natural pearl and golden pearl, this unique covering is made from actual capiz shell and is easily installed in 24" x 12" tiles. Consider other surface materials that have the capacity to reflect light, such as silk coverings, pearlized papers, and coverings with a raised design or metallic threads embedded in them.

Natural Choices

Materials straight from Mother Nature are a major focus in home design right now, following on the heels of fashion's passion for all things natural. Bamboo and grass products are top choices for subtle effects, but for statement-making punch look out for incredible, wafer-thin, laser cut wood patterns, reed and cork coverings, in saturated hues of brown and deep red. The fact that many of these products, such as the swirling, laser cut wood marquetry patterns in Romanoff's Ajiro+ Collection, come from sustainable, eco-friendly sources means great design with the added bonus of social conscience!

Shining Examples

All that glitters is not gold, but all that glitters is the trend right now in glamorous wall coverings. From high gloss vinyl to coverings that glow with the patina of brushed silver and gold, these coverings are like jewelry for the wall. Mica, that shiny piece of earth we all coveted as children, has been translated by Romanoff into a wall covering of extraordinary style, made from micro-thin mica and available in three colorways, including a gold version that would do any palace proud. For a more understated take on "shine" there are a myriad of choices in matte gold and silver tones, and coverings with subtle flecks and stripes of precious metals.

Color Code

Low profile walls are giving way to color-rich wall coverings. Saturated shades of red, burgundy, and deep hues of blue and green highlight the hills and valleys of popular textured papers. "Intense color is a major focus in walls right now," states Laura Romanoff, vice president of sales and marketing for Maya Romanoff. Laura notes that their Weathered Walls collection in ten colors in a subtle tie-dye effect remains a best seller. Maya Romanoff also offers a custom color program for many of their products. Laura notes vibrant blues have been their most popular colors this season, especially those with a green tint, aqua and periwinkle.

Maya Romanoff is available through designers and architects nationwide.