Can You Guess the Famous Designers of These Stunning Wallpapers?
Six designers, twelve wallpapers. It's time to play guess that designer, 'Jeopardy' style
Rebecca Gross
29 January 2017
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Wallpapers can add true wow-factor to a room or space. And when the colours, patterns and motifs are courtesy of some of the world’s most famous designers, that wow comes with extra POW! Most designers don’t set out to design wallpapers, but with their creative flair, forward vision, and design acumen it becomes a natural step for many.
Without any further ado, can you guess the famous designers of these stunning wallpapers?
Without any further ado, can you guess the famous designers of these stunning wallpapers?
Designer #1: This British fashion designer rose to fame in the late 1970s when her early designs helped shape the look of the punk-rock movement. Unconventional, outspoken and daring, this designer has always had a rebellious streak.
Who is: Vivienne Westwood
Squiggle is one of Westwood’s most popular and recognisable prints. She developed the looping and jagged-edge pattern for her first catwalk show, The Pirate Collection, in 1981/82 and it has gone from counterculture to mainstream in the 35 years since.
Squiggle is one of Westwood’s most popular and recognisable prints. She developed the looping and jagged-edge pattern for her first catwalk show, The Pirate Collection, in 1981/82 and it has gone from counterculture to mainstream in the 35 years since.
Vivienne drew the pattern for Lace for her S/S 07 ‘I am Expensiv’ collection, with areas of grey shadow giving three-dimensionality to an otherwise flat surface.
How to get past your fear of way-out wallpapers
How to get past your fear of way-out wallpapers
Designer #2: This designer does not do understated. Best known for fashion design, he first made his name when Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Helena Christensen modelled his acclaimed debut collection. The designer finds inspiration in travel, nature and exoticism, with his designs being a vision of British bohemian glamour.
Who is: Matthew Williamson
Williamson’s Cubana collection, including Habanera (above), is inspired by the glamour and excitement of pre-revolutionary Cuba with rich shades of jade, peach, coral, turquoise and ultramarine, and prints referencing the designer’s iconic catwalk looks.
The palm print on Tropicana is from Williamson’s 2015 summer collection, first used on chiffon gowns. It has a handmade feel, with broad brushstroke effects designed to transport viewers to a lusciously rich jungle setting.
Williamson’s Cubana collection, including Habanera (above), is inspired by the glamour and excitement of pre-revolutionary Cuba with rich shades of jade, peach, coral, turquoise and ultramarine, and prints referencing the designer’s iconic catwalk looks.
The palm print on Tropicana is from Williamson’s 2015 summer collection, first used on chiffon gowns. It has a handmade feel, with broad brushstroke effects designed to transport viewers to a lusciously rich jungle setting.
This wallpaper takes its name from one of Williamson’s signature motifs – the peacock feather. Peacock has a beaded design and is shown here with a metallic antique gold shade overlaid on jade green.
Designer #3: This pioneering designer championed the Arts and Crafts movement in the late-19th century. He believed in hand production, the imperfections of craftsmanship and looked to nature for colour, inspiration and patterns.
The Arts and Crafts movement for the modern home
The Arts and Crafts movement for the modern home
Who is: William Morris
William Morris began designing wallpapers in the 1860s, which were then hand printed using wood blocks and mineral-based natural pigments. As he looked to nature, his designs, such as Compton, had complexity, rhythm and movement to capture the randomness and symmetry of nature. Today, his designs are machine made yet still have the appearance of the block-printed originals.
William Morris began designing wallpapers in the 1860s, which were then hand printed using wood blocks and mineral-based natural pigments. As he looked to nature, his designs, such as Compton, had complexity, rhythm and movement to capture the randomness and symmetry of nature. Today, his designs are machine made yet still have the appearance of the block-printed originals.
Morris designed Marigold in 1875 as a lively monotone print, and it is one of his few designs produced for both wallpaper and fabric.
Browse more whimsical bathroom wallpaper
Browse more whimsical bathroom wallpaper
Designer #4: This Australian designer may have hailed from remote Queensland, but it didn’t stop her fantastical round-the-world adventures that included running a finishing school in Shanghai and being a couturier in London. In the late 1950s she established a design business, producing wallpaper with luxurious, oversized patterns and vivid combinations of colours.
Who is: Florence Broadhurst
Japanese Flora (above) is one of Broadhurst’s most iconic designs with a stylised lotus rendered on dramatic scale and in a unique style.
Spotted Floral (left) takes its cues from when Broadhurst reinvented herself as Madame Pellier, a ‘French’ fashion designer in London. The classic floral pattern has an eclectic 1960s vibe with English garden overtones.
Japanese Flora (above) is one of Broadhurst’s most iconic designs with a stylised lotus rendered on dramatic scale and in a unique style.
Spotted Floral (left) takes its cues from when Broadhurst reinvented herself as Madame Pellier, a ‘French’ fashion designer in London. The classic floral pattern has an eclectic 1960s vibe with English garden overtones.
Designer #5: This designer was a leading name in post-war American design. Working across furniture, exhibition, interior design and graphic arts, his love of festive colours, patterns and textures was always rendered with a playful style and colour palette.
Who is: Alexander Girard
Girard designed Alphabet in 1952 as a wall covering for Herman Miller. It melds Girard’s use of fluid, modern lines and bright, cheerful colour with his whimsical sense of design.
Girard designed Alphabet in 1952 as a wall covering for Herman Miller. It melds Girard’s use of fluid, modern lines and bright, cheerful colour with his whimsical sense of design.
Designer #6: This British designer was considered a rock star of interior design in the 1960s and 1970s. He used eye-popping pattern, clashing colour and vivid geometric shapes to create over-the-top interiors with flamboyant opulence – much like the designer’s personality.
Who is: David Hicks
Hicks is renowned for designing his own imaginative carpets, fabrics and wallpapers, such as Hexagon, when he found none that met his stylish standards. He established David Hicks Ltd. and by the 1980s had offices and shops in 15 countries around the world.
TELL US
Which wallpaper do you like best? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Hicks is renowned for designing his own imaginative carpets, fabrics and wallpapers, such as Hexagon, when he found none that met his stylish standards. He established David Hicks Ltd. and by the 1980s had offices and shops in 15 countries around the world.
TELL US
Which wallpaper do you like best? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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#3 and #4. Still really love these beautiful florals
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