We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ella, Head of Design at Linwood, the renowned British fabric, wallpaper and cushions brand behind the eye-catching wallpaper gracing the newly redesigned boutique bedrooms at The Orange in Belgravia. Linwood’s commitment to timeless design and meticulous craftsmanship shines through in their work, and we were eager to delve into their creative process. In this interview, Ella walks us through the fascinating journey behind their stunning designs, from inspiration to execution, and sheds light on what makes their bespoke wallpaper service truly unique.
What is the typical process behind developing a new wallpaper design?
Each collection takes at least 12 months of hard work. We draw our inspiration from an array of sources, from museums to the natural world. The walls of our studio are covered with our ‘finds’, from small fragments of archival documents to pieces of clothing such as an exquisitely coloured kimono.
What craftsmanship techniques or technologies do you use to bring your ideas to life?
We believe in traditional techniques. We still sketch by hand, exploring different effects in watercolour or gouache until we find the right look for each design. It takes time, but at Linwood, we believe in creating original and beautiful designs that will stand the test of time.
What inspired this particular design?
The Linwood creative team blended a contemporary aesthetic into the design while honouring the original stylized fern pattern, which was derived from 17th-century domino paper.
How do you know what design will work well with a particular space?
We concentrate on a scale for each pattern that will function across a spectrum of interiors, from residential to commercial settings, in order to give our designs a more universal appeal.
What was your favourite part when developing The Orange’s project wallpaper?
Linwood’s design philosophy places a strong emphasis on colour, so playing with the many colour combinations of each design was definitely my favourite part of the project. Each collection we produce celebrates the beauty of both bright hues and softer neutrals.
What advice would you give to someone considering commissioning a bespoke wallpaper design for their space?
Linwood provides a bespoke design service for commercial projects Think about the scale of the design and if you want it to take centre stage in the room’s overall aesthetic. The capacity to produce a unique focal point in any space is the greatest benefit of custom wallpaper designs.
Why does the Helter Skelter design work so well in The Orange Bedrooms?
The Orange is a stunning example of period architecture, thus the custom wallpaper needed to pay homage to its classical past while yet being modern in terms of colour.
