Hanging Up the Ordinary: How We Created a Monochromatic Vintage Phone Wall

Here at FNL Finishes, we love a good design challenge. When we were tasked with creating a standout feature piece for a multifamily property management office, we knew we wanted something that would turn heads, spark conversations, and push our creative boundaries.

The result? A stunning, monochromatic vintage phone wall that blends history, modern design, and a whole lot of personality.

If you walk by the clubhouse and peek through the large exterior windows—or even step foot inside —it’s impossible to miss. Here is the story behind how we dreamed up, engineered, and executed this one-of-a-kind installation.

The Vision: A Modern Twist on Vintage Vibes

The concept was simple yet bold: take eight vintage phones—each a completely different make, model, and era—and transform them into cohesive, modern art.

We mounted each phone onto its own 24" x 24" wood board. To give the installation a seamless, high-end gallery feel, we decided to go completely monochromatic. We selected Sherwin Williams' Mount Etna—a deep, moody, sophisticated blue-green—and drenched everything in it. The wall, the boards, and the phones themselves were all painted the exact same color.

By stripping away the original colors of the phones, the focus shifts entirely to their unique shapes, textures, and histories.

The Learning Curves: Making It Last

Dreaming up a concept is the easy part; engineering it to survive a busy property management office is where the real work begins. We hit a few learning curves along the way, but problem-solving is what FNL Finishes does best!

• The Perfect Paint Match: You can’t just spray regular wall paint onto plastic, bakelite, and metal phones and expect it to stick. We had to color-match the Mount Etna hue into a specialized, high-adhesion paint formulation specifically designed for alternative surfaces. This ensures the finish stays flawless and won't chip if a curious prospect decides to lift a receiver.

• Securing the Artifacts: To make sure the phones stayed permanently attached to the 24" x 24" backdrops, we used a heavy-duty combination of commercial-grade glue and strategically placed screws.

• The Perfect Hang: We wanted the boards to sit perfectly flush against the wall with no visible wires or hardware. The solution? Z-clips. By mounting Z-clips to the back of the boards and the wall, we achieved a secure, rock-solid installation that looks like it's floating.

The Final Result: A Major Curb Appeal Boost

The final installation is positioned perfectly right next to a massive window looking into the clubhouse. Whether you are walking through the front door or just strolling past the building outside, the deep Mount Etna shadowbox effect immediately catches your eye.

It has officially become the ultimate conversation piece for the property management team, giving residents and prospective renters a memorable first impression of the community.

This project was an absolute blast for the FNL Finishes team to dream up and create. It proved once again that with the right vision, a bit of engineering ingenuity, and a lot of paint, you can turn everyday history into modern art.

Have a blank wall in your commercial space or community clubhouse that needs a heavy dose of personality? [Contact FNL Finishes today] and let’s dream up something incredible together!