DRESSING-UP OUR WALLS
The wallpaper industry has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, perhaps be cause it has evolved so quickly technologically that wallpapers now come in such a wide range of textures and materials that they can be hung anywhere in the home. This includes humid areas such as bathrooms and on exterior walls. Their transformative effect makes them highly versatile, which is why interior designers love to work with them. They can easily add warmth, ambience or a design state ment, all on their own. Wallcoverings add texture and cosiness, and there are some extremely interesting options available which have a subtle design but also give a tactile quality to a bare wall. The trend for earthy colours has accelerated, adding a natural and organic feel to a living space. Floral and botanical prints still make their appearance but con temporary designs are veering away from the typical English-country style and instead depict nature on a large-scale approach – almost like huge murals. Of course, if you would rather not enter into the realm of wallpapers, there is always paint or tiles, another industry that has also evolved enormously over the years. Needless to say, investing in a good paint makes the application much easier, and gives a better-quality finish with longer lasting results. The world of tiles on the oth er hand is a vast one, with a wide range of materials, sizes and price tags. So it is always wise to consult an expert when choosing the right tiles for the job.
The whimsical Rousseau collection by De Gournay was inspired by naïve paintings of the jungle by French post-impressionist painter Henri Rousseau. The painter never left his home country so his depictions of exotic landscapes were entirely imaginary, taken from illustrations in children’s books, visits to Parisian botan ical gardens and descriptions taken from survivors of the French expedition to Mexico. De Gournay is available through UDesign in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es) .
The strikingly elegant Fleur de Lune collection by Casamance highlights the beauty of flowers and their colours at nightfall as they release their delicate fra grance into the air. The sophisticated golden touches on this digital print celebrate the bold and abundant foliage as a large-scale depiction. Casamance is available from Cortidea on the Mijas Road and in Urb. Marbella Real (www.cortidea.es) , Arte del Lusso in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.artedellusso.es) , UDesign in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es) and Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com) .
Glassworks by Glamora is where “design meets rhythm”. The depiction represents wide curvilinear strokes of calligra phy and shapes generated by blowing into glass. Glamora is available through UDesign in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es) and Gunni & Trentino in Marbella Club (www.gunnitrentino.es) .
The Imagine collection by Wall&decò’s Wet System comes in two colourways and offers a contemporary abstract design that is resistant in damp environments, making it ideal for a bathroom or kitchen. Wall&decò is available from UDesign in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es) .
The new Ortigia collection by Élitis, shown here in their Osorno version, has a distinctive Mediterranean feel evoking an earthiness that is ideal for a rustic, understated look. The vinyl gives a chalky, almost sand-like and matt effect that resembles whitewash. Élitis is available from UDesign in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es) , Alison Bethell Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com) , Ambience Home Design in Centro Comercial La Poveda in Marbella (www.ambiencehomedesign.com) , Gunni & Trentino in Marbella Club (www.gunnitrentino.es) , Siesta Interior Design in CC Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro (www.acoola.eu) .
THE GOLDEN TOUCH
The new Tabala wallcovering from Black Edi tion, shown here in their copper version, features contemporary metallic shapes that offer a lustrous effect against the dark rich background. Black Edi tion is available from Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Al cántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com) , UDesign in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es) and Cortidea on the Mijas Road and in Urbanización Marbella Real (www.cortidea.es) .
The Tiger Eye Gold precious stone by Mer cado da Pedra adds a luxurious touch of jewel-like iridescence to a room. Every piece is unique and can be applied to walls and even furniture items, as shown here with the coffee table. Mercado da Pedra is situated in Avda. de Salamanca in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.mercadodapedra.com) .
