Who I am and what I do

My work is based on seeing interiors, sometimes my own, and translating elements of the interior into wallpaper which can then be re-introduced back into the room. I suppose my wallpapers look so different because I’m not trying to mass-produce anything – I want them to convey a strong idea but not to dominate the room so much that there is no space for anything else.

Paper is still my favourite – and I guess I owe that to my study of fine art printmaking. It’s always inspiring to see how much paper can do and what can be done with it. The wallpaper designs I produce are all starting points and can be changed to fit with the clients’ interior.

How I work

My very first hand-produced graphic range started with the oversized cutlery set that I designed for my own kitchen. Actually that is still how I work today and by that I mean, I don't design for anyone other than myself and I hope that my work inspires people to take a risk with products that they fall in love with.

Whatever I'm working on, I try to make sure it is one simple idea, carried out to a natural resulting image - that could be a large one print in one colour, or bouquets of sequins or handsfull of jigsaw pieces applied to the paper.

I've been adding different textures as I find qualified manufacturing partners to bring those ideas to fruition. Some designs are made in-house, such as the sequins, but for others I’ve found specialized manufacturers to work with.

What inspires me

Curiosity is definitely my motor and I love to challenge myself both visually and technically with my work. For instance, by refining the graphic images down to the purest element and presenting them as close to reality as possible, I can put as few technical barriers between the starting point (i.e. a pidgeon feather on the ground) and the final wallpaper piece.

This purity inspires me to allow the graphic images to be printed in colours that may not be naturalistic and still not lose the sense of being a feather. Inspiration is unplanned. For instance, the textual inspiration of Shakespeare or the tactile inspiration of sequins used on 1920’s flapper dresses has led me to wallpaper creations.

My design philosophy

The essence of wallpaper is to enhance the style of an interior and to confirm the direction the space wishes to take. The design should be simple, original, touchable, unexpected - but also allow for the client’s requirements to be added in. I like my wallpaper to evoke a reaction and create an impact.

My stylistic influences

3-D is totally my metier and it inspires me to push the envelope by taking paper and adding to it and creating unusual 3-D effects. My Flax line is a most extreme attempt at three-dimensional wallpaper. I love the fact that it gives other qualities to the wall rather than a flat image – it makes a great sound when you brush your hand along the fronds and creates an ever changing pattern of shadows when caught with breeze and light.

Technology is also a big influence, not stylistically maybe, but it certainly allows one to stretch the boundaries and explore a design’s full potential. I also like the work of Ingo Maurer, lighting designer.

My future goals and ambitions

On the creative side, I would really like to try an excessively layered design that would be a real challenge to hang.  Otherwise, I am enjoying my work immensely and would like to continue being inspired by clients and their requests. That is why I don’t plan who I am going to work with or for – it keeps things fresh.

My likes and dislikes

Because my work is made to order, I like it that I can exclusively fulfill the client’s needs and make the result totally personal to them while being true to myself as a creator.

As far as the market is concerned, I hope that in the future we continue to have a respect for the interiors and environments where the papers are used and do not make the papers themselves the center of attraction.