Florals, Foliage and Fauna: The Influence of Botanical Wallpapers
Interior design is fundamentally about telling a story. It aims to evoke the senses, spark imaginations and elicit long-forgotten memories. For centuries, botanicals have remained an ever-present instrument through which this can be achieved. The V&A Museum have traced floral motifs back to some of the world’s earliest wallpapers. A piece discovered in Christ’s College Cambridge has been dated back to 1509 and established as Europe’s most ancient surviving piece of wallpaper. Characterised by leafy and pomegranate motifs, it is bold yet simultaneously delicate. It presents a pattern not dissimilar to our Pear design; one of our four initial designs, originally influenced by the Queen’s drawing room wallpaper at Hampton Court in 1735, and later expanded upon by one of our founders, G.F. Bodley in 1885. Bold ferns cut across delicate gooseberries, and dainty pears add detail alongside sweeping foliage, ultimately creating an intricate and enchanting botanical scene.
A Botanical Narrative
The delicate depictions of nature that characterise botanicals creates a narrative that brings a room to life. Vibrant florals, sweeping foliage and characterful fauna breathe energy into a space and give interiors a depth of character. Our Chinoiserie collections clearly demonstrate this ability. Adorned with graceful butterflies, colourful birds, and luscious greenery, the chinoiseries bring vibrancy, and provide a unique background against which more understated furnishings are elevated. They have the ability to transport the imagination and create an experience out of an interior. This explains why botanical wallpapers have consistently remained so conducive to creating a narrative through design.
Nature-focused murals have a similar ability; panoramic depictions of forests, landscapes, jungles or gardens all tell a story, giving the room a narrative that takes it beyond its physical space. Woven tapestries were originally used to tell stories, depict myths, or even make political statements, and therefore botanical murals such as Birds of Paradise, Lancelot Leaves, or Jardin D’Usse - which take intricate designs from old tapestries and print them onto substrates such as linen, grasscloth and non-woven paper - have impactful story-telling abilities.
The scope of botanicals also allows it to create a plethora of narratives. Whilst the murals create a striking focal point - drawing the narrative towards what the printed image is depicting - more delicate botanicals, such as Clarence give a more subtle narrative that has character but balance within the room as a collective. The intricacy of the wallpaper’s little birds provide an exciting background upon which scale can be played with. For example, it can facilitate grander pieces of furniture working into the room’s narrative without seeming clunky; they are balanced by Clarence’s dainty pattern and colourways, ultimately giving the room variety and therefore character. Botanicals are therefore incredibly versatile in the stories they can help spaces tell.
Dopamine Decor
As well as creating a story for the room, botanicals also have the ability to impact and shape your inner narrative. The design world is currently witnessing an increasing focus on the role your home’s interiors play into your daily wellbeing. With buzz-words such as ‘dopamine decor’ currently trending, leaning into this holistic approach to design is more relevant than ever. By bringing the outside in and creating a reflection of the beauty of the world around us, bold leafy wallpapers and vibrant tropical wallpapers create an inner sanctuary that capitalises upon the calming and uplifting benefits of nature. In a fast-paced world, this biophilic approach of incorporating nature into design creates a calming effect that helps us to slow down and relax upon entering our homes. A harmony is created between our homes, and the vitality and orderliness of nature.
The Evocative Role of Colour
The tranquil retreat that botanical designs provide is enhanced by their use of colour, and the impact this has on our wellbeing. The psychological impact of colours has been known for a while, with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s ‘Theory of Colours’ tracing back to 1810. A few years ago, Architectural Digest shared psychologist Dr. Mary Gregerson’s advice that colours in the home truly affect the mind and body.
Vibrant, leafy shades of green, so classical to most botanical designs, have been noted for their ability to provoke feelings of stability and tranquility. Creating strong links to nature, they offer an opportunity to bring the outside in, therefore expanding upon the potential of an interior. Last November, LivingEtc quoted interior designer Elizabeth Vergara’s praises of the relaxing benefits of softer greens. A sage green wallpaper, such as our Damask Morris Green, would bring serenity to a room through its uplifting, delicate tones. It creates a light, airy space, reminiscent of a summer garden. A more dramatic dark green wallpaper, such as our Damask Library Green has the same calming effect, but it also holds more intrigue and mystery. It is reminiscent of childhood adventures, but also holds a peaceful tone that encourages relaxing upon entering the room. The colour that characterises so many botanical wallpapers therefore creates a nostalgic, calming effect.
Our Collection
It is clear, therefore, why botanical wallpapers, as House Beautiful and Homes & Gardens both predicted at the start of the year, have maintained a strong command over the design world. Our Botanical collection is available online here, or in our London Showroom at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, either by walk-in or appointment for private consultation.
Written by Molly Wraith