PAPER TIGERS
From pure and natural designs to ornate and vibrant styles, bring new life and character to your walls
I’ve always been a fan of wallpaper. It has the power to add a certain charm, character and luxury to a room that can never be achieved with a paint finish.
If you are a fan, too, then you’ll be pleased to hear that this is wallpaper’s year. Forget a ‘token’ feature wall, I’m talking about the real deal. Papering whole rooms is back in style and some designers even have eyes on the ceiling.
Of all the trends emerging, there are two overriding looks dominating wallpaper this year and they couldn’t be more different to one another.
The first takes its inspiration from one of this year’s biggest lifestyle themes ‘ harmony and natural living’ embracing all things organic. The second is loud, ornate and some may even say OTT – maximalists will love it.
AU NATURALE With this natural trend there is a particular focus on light and earthy shades with papers full of texture inspired by natural materials. Think faux marble and trompe l’oeil natural facades like wood and stone.
Washed-out shades of blue also work well with this trend – light and airy with a pastel touch such as aqua and peppermint.
All in all, the look is designed to recreate the feeling of being closer to the outdoors and tactile objects, providing the perfect antidote to our chaotic digital-laden lives.
‘In the fast-paced and often uncertain world we live in, the home is becoming an increasingly important haven of safety,’ says Hanna Wendelbo-Hansson, creative director at Sandberg Wallpaper.
‘At the same time, we are increasingly aware of the environment and the need to consume less in a smarter way and with a more long-term approach.’
With this in mind, Flora Sandbergica – the new collection of botanical wall coverings from Sandberg – is aimed at city dwellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of their hectic urban lifestyles and ‘ create a place of tranquillity and beauty’ within their homes.
Inspired by Scandinavian plants and flowers, thriving in both rural and urban environments, the collection includes subdued patterns like Faded Passion, a digitally printed wallpaper creating a romantic look where the worn, textile-like surface meets the faded glory of the passion flower, and Heidi, a distressed floral motif inspired by etched concrete and graffiti.
Elsewhere, shimmering mineral surfaces, woodgrain textures, sea corals and precious stones are the premise of Curio, the latest Cole & Son collection.
Inspired by rarities and objets d’art of the natural world, Curio is a collectors’ box of 12 designs, ranging from the lustrous hexagonal Mineral and sharp-edged Quartz, to the botanical Seafern and softly marbled Zebrawood in a mix of pale and neutral colours.
Another brand championing beautiful textured finishes is Anthology (anthology.uk.com) with its latest collection inspired by tactile items like creased tissue paper, crumpled silk and