Design Focus

BEYOND THE SURFACE

Besides choosing beautiful furniture pieces, interesting décor items and the right lighting, perhaps the most impactful spaces of the home are its walls and floors. Here we dive into the latest wallpaper collections, rug designs and carpets that are not unlike pieces of art themselves, merging bold patterns, abstract forms and pops of colour.

Contemporary Wallpaper Collection by Wall&decò Collection XI by Glamora

Wall&decò has developed a custom wall covering that is available either in nonwoven fabric and vinyl (such as with the Out of Curiosity line by Talva Design pictured here), or in a new eco-friendly 100% recyclable substrate (CWC-ECO). CWC is a non-woven fabric substrate with cellulose, additives and PVC. The surface layer, in vinyl, is embossed, dry-removable and washable. CWC-ECO, on the other hand, consists of a non-woven fabric covered with cellulose fibre and polyester base. Made with an ecological production cycle, it is recyclable, totally PVC-free and phthalate-free, as well as certified A+ according to the French label (following European norm ISO 16000) and Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certified. The material is highly breathable and ideal for any kind of interior. The pictorial collection features designs from photographs, drawings, trompe l’oeils and illustrations, opening up to a wide range of inspirations. Collection XI blends Glamora’s personal touch with references from contemporary art and fashion, as well as inspirations from nature and an intersection of cultures from across the globe, from Africa to the Far East. Tricks of reflections and vibrations, transparent effects and neon shades recall the fluid creations of Janet Echelman, the American artist who works with light, wind and water. Other colours and decorative innovations evoke the world of English fashion designer Michael Fish who, in the late 1960s, reshaped traditional palettes and patterns, influenced by the revolutionary sounds of the music scene of that period. Also evident across the collection is a desire to return to nature that’s fulfilled by floral and foliage-themed designs which bring secret leafy spaces indoors.

ART-AI collection by Inkiostro Bianco

The ART-AI collection travels from Italy to explore the African continent, bringing together cultural and aesthetic diversity through the creation of six graphic patterns that are inspired by the work of Italian designer Giuliana Ravazzini, who has worked extensively in the region. Ravazzini set up the ART-AI project to create a bridge between Africa and Italy, driven by artistic inspiration, cultural diversity and research. He first travelled to Burkina Faso and Congo where paper-cloth is traditionally made, transforming waste material, paper and plants into harmonious decorative compositions. Fascinated by the process, Ravazzini experimented with the technique while there, and continued upon his return to Italy. He later moved to North Africa, where his experiments with the technique developed, working closely with a group of artists in Morocco and Egypt, using the colours from the leatherdying process that is native to the region. It is this outcome that Inkiostro Bianco wishes to immortalise in its latest wallpaper collection, which features natural colours such as ochre, tobacco and burgundy, as well as orthogonal geometries and inlays. Additional features of the wallpaper collection include an oxidation effect from the maceration process – all adding to the natural yet strong expression of the collection.

Plasterworks by David/Nicolas for cc-tapis

The traditional square-shaped rug has undergone a radical transformation, and now comes in innovative shapes and abstract forms. One such example is Plasterworks, designed by Lebanese design duo David/Nicolas for Italian producers of contemporary hand-knotted rugs, cc-tapis – whose products are all created in Nepal by Tibetan artisans. Kaléo restaurant in Beirut – where the design duo and cc-tapis first conceptualised the collection – inspired its design, referencing the triangle patterns that decorate its walls. This motif was spun out into multiple variations featuring soft lines, interesting colour combinations and contrasting textures. Each hand-sketched design was later translated into an ultra-fine handknotted rug in Himalayan wool and silk.

Ply by MUT Design for GAN

Spanish duo MUT Design’s Ply rugs for GAN is another example of the organic shapes takeover, complete with compelling patterns and enveloping textures. Visually inspired by plywood, the rugs are hand-tufted and built of juxtaposing layers of tightly woven loops. The Yellow model (pictured) is the largest in the series, combining shades of yellow with two neutral tones, while offering alternations of textures. A flat, small one is available for the base; another for lines. Together, they acquire a distinctive volume and hypnotic effect. The series includes an additional two models: one in pink shades and with circular form, and another in blue tones and with an elongated shape that doubles as a runner.

Melbourne-based TSAR Carpets has launched its latest Sierra collection, a series of broadloom wool-rich Axminster carpet designs inspired by mountainous terrains and desert landscapes. The collection features an array of natural, earthy tones in five distinct patterns, ranging from geological motifs to glacial-like elements that offer a sense of tranquillity and fluidity. “The Sierra collection was first and foremost inspired by Iceland’s historic and impressive female-led weaving industry and the natural beauty of the country’s stark and craggy landscape. That investigation further spurred interest in bringing to life additional rugged and arid landscapes worldwide – from California’s Coachella Valley to the rugged cliffs of the Shire of Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne,” says Charlotte McGeehan, a trained weaver and TSAR’s in-house designer. The collection’s textures were derived from an array of McGeehan’s experimental and labour-intensive hand, seersucker and jacquard weaving techniques, which were then digitally translated into broadloom Axminster carpet designs. Incorporating 80% New Zealand wool – a durable material thanks to the fibre’s unparalleled diameter and strength – the collection is suitable for a wide variety of hightraffic public spaces as well as residential environments. id

Sierra by TSAR Carpets