THE COUNTRY DECORATOR
FROM BLOWSY BLOOMS TO MODERN GRAPHICS, LARGE-SCALE BOTANICAL WALLPAPERS ARE THIS SEASON’S GO-TO LOOK FOR COUNTRY INTERIORS
How to style the latest supersized botanical wallpapers
1 create Balance
Ensure your interior looks light and fresh by selecting a paper that teams a neutral background with modern brights – we love how the lively leaf colours are picked up by the accessories in this room, while the cream stops the space from becoming too dramatic. ‘If you’re using a statement paper for a country home, try choosing a matte variety,’ says Ian Dykes, Founder and Director at Voyage Decoration. ‘It will instantly soften brighter shades, giving them a chalky finish, which will always complement rural interiors.’
2 folksy feel
For a modern take on supersized florals, look to patterns with folkloric influences. Cinda’s Roses features naive botanical motifs and meandering branches, bringing a natural charm. Magdalen Jebb, Creative Director at Lewis & Wood, says, ‘Looking at it, you feel you’ve joined a powerful fairy story – not too soft, not too sweet. It offers a modern version of nature, a popular theme in country homes.’
3 Bathroom splendour
Make a grand statement in the bathroom with an ornate repeat, such as these clusters of majestic feathers in a moody palette. ‘This eclectic design boasts classic representations of botanical life,’ says Teresa Tanini, Marketing Manager at Devon & Devon. A dark background colour will make the pattern pop, while accessorising with ornate pieces will mirror the opulence of the print.
4 scandi simplicity
For subtle elegance that lends itself to any setting, choose a print featuring pigments close to nature’s own palette. ‘Zinnia is both current and classic, perfect for those living in the countryside or for those who yearn to,’ says Fredrik Nilsson, Managing Director at Sandberg Wallpaper. ‘I believe that designs with their origins in nature always work beautifully in rural homes.’
5 GO GRAPHIC
A contemporary, engaging feel can be achieved using extra-large-scale graphic florals overlaid on a simple background repeat. A single illustrated design draws the eye, blending with real foliage and printed fabric, adding a sense of fun to the walls. ‘Floral decorations with fine and romantic colours work best when trying to achieve elegant style,’ advises Diego Locatelli, Director at Wallpepper.
6 MIX AND MATCH
Take inspiration from vintage horticulture books and choose a repeat of floral and fern motifs. ‘With its soft finish and sophisticated tonal variation, Dinner at Eight has a subtlety that makes it perfect for country homes,’ says Sarah Foster, Category Manager, Paint and Wallpaper at Fired Earth. Papering door panels adds interest to a space, while painting the frames creates the illusion of depth.
7 DAMASK UPDATE
Transform your hallway into a prestigious passage using an ever-popular damask design. Inspired by a brightly coloured, woven silk from the mid-19th century, this heritage pattern has been translated into modern colourways. ‘Elevated by the subtle use of metallic inks, this updated classic lends itself to restful and elegant surrounds,’ says Peter Gomez, Head of Zoffany Studio.
8 TACTILE CHOICE
Traditional trough- and block-printing methods give an exquisite tactile feel and a seamless look that creates a restful bedroom aesthetic. A textural paper is an easy way to add dimension, while a simple yet stylised pattern creates a calming but still contemporary backdrop that will soothe the senses. ‘Hegemone is a wonderfully optimistic print and looks almost as if it has been cut from paper,’ says Charlotte Cosby, Head of Creative at Farrow & Ball. ‘Its design is less rigid and defined than a classic floral pattern, as each colourful petal blooms freely in all directions.’