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Wallpaper and fabrics for stylish kids (and big kids)
These decorative choices may be meant for children’s rooms, but why should little ones have all the fun?
Decorating a child’s room is about so much more than making sure there’s enough storage for all of the Lego and games. It’s about creating a space that will fire their imagination. A place so visually stimulating that they may think twice before plastering it in posters of teen idols. The wallpapers and fabrics in this edit are suitable for all ages (even playful adults – they’d be perfect for a guest bathroom), but are designed especially to appeal to the young. So, whether you’re planning a nursery or an update for a lucky toddler, these are the patterns to look out for…
‘Emily’ wallpaper, Pierre Frey
Reinterpreting a work by artist Emily Jackson, this wallpaper is part of Pierre Frey’s ‘Carnet de Voyage’ collection, which speaks to the joyful discovery of travel. Bold, primary colours and exuberant shapes reflect the dynamism and freedom of the artist’s approach. £214 per m, pierrefrey.com
‘Alice in Wonderland’ wallpaper in ‘Noir’, House of Hackney
You might expect to find House of Hackney’s whimsical Alice in Wonderland paper in a child’s bedroom, but in a hallway or dining room it would bring a welcome touch of the unexpected. The design, sourced from the V&A archives, features John Tenniel’s illustrations for Lewis Carroll’s topsy turvy tale of white rabbits, mad hatters and cheshire cats. £195 per roll, houseofhackney.com
‘Foglie e Civette’ wallpaper in ‘Forest Green’, Cole & Son
Their curious eyes peeping out from the lush green foliage, the owls on this wallpaper are guaranteed to delight kids of all ages, plus the young at heart. The design is the work of Piero Fornasetti, who was fascinated by the mystery and symbolism of owls and used them regularly as a motif in his work. It’s part of the latest collection from Cole & Son and Fornasetti, a creative partnership that successfully combines British craftsmanship with Italian imagination. £340 per roll, cole-and-son.com
‘Vernon’ cotton voile in ‘Crocus’, Designers Guild
This fresh cotton voile would look playful and cheerful in a nursery, but equally happy in a kitchen or living room. Available in a range of candy-coloured shades, the small-scale windowpane check has a touch of mid-century optimism, but also a Tetris-like geometry that feels strikingly contemporary. £52 per m, designersguild.com
‘Elefant’ linen, Svenskt Tenn
Estrid Ericson, Svenskt Tenn’s founder, was a seasoned traveller who loved bringing souvenirs home from her globetrotting adventures to sell in her store on Strandvägen in Stockholm. For this particular printed textile, which originally launched at the end of the 1930s, she was inspired by a model of an elephant that she found on a trip to the Congo. Approx £137 per m, svenskttenn.com
‘Hustle Bustle’ printed cotton, Villa Nova
Illustrator Christopher Corr’s imaginative designs for Villa Nova are packed with colour and detail. This market scene is populated with a joyful collection of people, animals, bikes and carts, with Jaipur’s famous pink buildings making an appearance too, all digitally printed onto a crisp cotton. £36 per m, villanova.co.uk
‘Mickey and Minnie’ wallpaper in ‘Allsorts’, Sanderson
Based on the original wallpaper designs created by Sanderson for Disney in 1934, this cute, colourful print can’t fail to raise a smile. Packed with authentic charm, it’s been produced in the same scale and colourways as the hand block printed document from the archives. Use it to make a surprising statement in a kitchen or cloakroom. £119 per roll, sanderson.sandersondesigngroup.com
‘Patchwork Tulips’ organic Tana Lawn cotton, Liberty Fabrics
Based on a Liberty scarf from 1976, this dynamic design features a patchwork of motifs including graphic tulip shapes, chevrons and squares. Printed in northern Italy, the organic version of Liberty’s signature Tana Lawn cotton has a warm, soft feel, combining rich fluidity with vibrant print quality. £29.95 per m, libertylondon.com
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