Patty-My design wall is also covered in white flannel. I "auditioned" a darker color, too, and found that it totally changed the coloring of my quilts. White or ecru is a better color. Have you thought of just covering a large sheet of foam insulation (with flannel)? You could lean it against a wall in your quilt room and stick your blocks on it as you go. Then when you need to step back from your project you could easily carry it to another room and lean it against a wall where you can stand back and see it from a distance. Just a thought :-)