Did anyone ever say “leave it to the French?” Somehow, the aphorism sounds botched. How about “leave it to the Kiwis?” That one doesn’t seem quite right either, unless, the topic at hand is sheep and/or cheese, two exports in which both of the aforementioned nations exhibit a certain expertise. Banishing all cultural prejudices, both France and New Zealand appear to possess a rare and unrivaled talent for innovations in wall coverings. Or perhaps I should say “interior surface finishings,” because France’s Extenzo Stretch Ceiling Systems and New Zealand’s Kaynemaile Seamless Mesh represent a versatile, sustainable, and beautiful solution to wall and ceiling coverings as well as room partitions.

Seamless Mesh. Designed by Kaynemaile.

Extenzo made its debut last September at IIDEX; Kaynemaile’s signature product–KML 22 Seamless Mesh–is currently up and running for 2010, offering “innovative, functional design solutions and tremendous future potential for a range of commercial and industrial applications that depend on a lightweight, durable and versatile mesh.” KML 22 is a polycarbonate, injection-molded product with a distinct advantage over other synthetic or metal-based mesh–it’s absent the familiar, unsightly, and lengthy scar across the fabric otherwise known as a joint. According to Kaynemaile, the innovation results in a cost-effective, odorless, thermally insulating, impact-resistant, rust-free, and pleasantly translucent alternative to old-school metal mesh.

KML 22 also has the advantage of enhanced aesthetic appeal. This perk takes many forms, not the least of which is the intriguing transformation it makes depending on the viewer’s position and perspective: from up close, one can see the proliferation of interlocking rings that gives the product its stability; but back up a few paces and it appears as a uniform, translucent wall of milky color–just the right touch for subtly filtering light, or tempering sound, or hiding the unsightly inner workings of a re-furbished warehouse space.

Several international businesses have already taken advantage of KML 22’s unique aesthetic and easy, seamless installation, examples of which include, in no particular order, a pair of Airport Control Towers in Christchurch, NZ; the Dish Restaurant and Lounge in Dallas; a showroom at last year’s Salon del Mobile; and a chandelier Shade at Perth’s Berthwood Casino.

I could go on, but suffice it to say that KML 22 is not only here to stay, but here to expand its roster of potential uses from Down Under to the New World to Old Europe and beyond (future applications promise everything from artificial ski slopes, to aquaculture, to vehicle drivetrains). I can’t wait to see what the French have in mind for it.