Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla & Rob Ernsberger.
Hi Kayla & Rob, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
James & Colors was founded in 2021 by husband-and-wife team Rob and Kayla, combining a background in the printing industry with a shared love for design and entrepreneurship. Before starting the company, we worked closely with large-format printing and saw firsthand how much potential there was to create something more personal, flexible, and design-driven than what the wallpaper market was offering. Most options available felt mass-produced and impersonal, so we set out to build a brand that would do the opposite, made-to-order wallpaper printed from blank stock, customized for each customer and each space.
What began as a small operation quickly gained momentum online through our website and marketplaces, growing largely through word of mouth and customer loyalty. People connected with the idea that their wallpaper wasn’t sitting in a warehouse but was being created specifically for them. That personal approach, combined with fast communication and attention to detail, helped us expand rapidly, and today we’ve served more than 75,000 customers across the country in both residential and commercial spaces.
Even as we’ve grown, we’ve intentionally kept the business hands-on and family-run. We operate out of our studio in Kalamazoo, Michigan, source most of our materials locally, and stay deeply involved in production, quality control, and customer experience. Our focus has never been just selling wallpaper, it’s about helping people create spaces that feel intentional, expressive, and uniquely theirs. Every order is still treated with the same care and excitement we had when we printed our very first roll.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most small businesses, our path has been filled with both exciting growth and real learning curves. When orders began increasing quickly, we had to figure out how to expand production while still keeping everything made-to-order and detail-focused. There were long days balancing design, printing, shipping, and customer communication, often all at once. But those challenges also highlighted why our partnership works so well. Kayla focusing on creative direction and brand vision, and Rob building the technical systems and operations behind the scenes. Each obstacle became an opportunity to refine what we were building and prove that we could grow without losing the personal touch that defines us.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
James & Colors is known for blending design creativity with hands-on production expertise, which allows us to create wallpaper that is both visually distinctive and technically precise. Because everything is printed to order rather than pulled from inventory, we’re able to offer flexibility in sizing, scaling, and customization that many larger brands can’t easily match. We work with homeowners, designers, and commercial clients alike, and we’re often trusted with projects that require both aesthetic vision and production accuracy.
One thing that truly defines how we operate is our willingness to learn and take on new challenges. Rob, in particular, takes pride in stepping into the unknown and figuring things out firsthand, whether that means refining production processes or helping solve a customer’s unique project needs. He regularly speaks directly with customers, which often surprises them, but for us that personal connection is essential. It keeps us grounded in what people actually need and helps us continually improve what we offer.
Many of our designs begin as artwork created by independent artists from across the country and around the world. We carefully select pieces that align with our aesthetic, then refine and technically adapt them into seamless patterns engineered specifically for wallpaper. It’s a collaborative process that allows us to support artists while also ensuring every design meets our standards for scale, flow, and performance in real spaces.
Having served more than 75,000 customers, we’ve gained a deep understanding of how design functions beyond theory and into real environments. As we continue to grow, we’re especially excited about building closer relationships with local Michigan-based designers and becoming a trusted creative partner for projects that call for both originality and precision. What we want readers to know most is that our work lives at the intersection of creativity, craftsmanship, and genuine care for the people we serve.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Rob loved helping his grandma bake as a kid and getting to make something together with her. Kayla grew up in the country as an only child, often outside creating and imagining, but the memories she treasures most are the ones spent with her grandpa, who the company is named after as a way to keep his memory close.
Pricing:
- Samples: $2.50 each
- Removable wallpaper panels: $27 to $70 depending on length (3 ft to 10 ft)
- Custom sizing and project pricing available upon request
- Designer Trade pricing available
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jamesandcolors.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamesandcolors
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamesandcolors
- Other: pinterest.com/jamesandcolors
