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Hoping that lkea-induced minimalism is a thing of the past, Rachael Street finds opulent WALLPAPER designs queuing up to add spice to our living spaces.
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or many. the word Edinburgh‘s new designer wallpaper conjures up stationery shop. Magenta Ink. unhappy memories of twee Osbourne and Little can be found floral patterns and shiny blown at Mary Maxwell Designs in vinyl — the design nightmare that Edinburgh and l)esignworks in
made us to flee in search of a Glasgow. among others cleaner look. But the minimalist (www.osborneandlittle.com). ideal of pure lines and stark For those who prefer to keep an
colouring is starting to look bland urban edge to their living space. compared with deeper paint tones there are plenty of funky designs and bold wallpaper prints. on the market. many of which
Many of these follow on from make interesting use of textures the tradition of high quality. hand- and colour combinations. Glasgow printed designs established by one design companies Squigee and of the most famous British pattern Timorous Beasties both have a designers. William Morris. His great range of arresting patterns. intricate nature-inspired repeats with zingy blues and reds often were held as a standard of good enhanced by raised paint and taste in the late l8()()s. and his ; paper effects. Timorous Beasties beautiful art nouveau motifs are i (www.timorousbeasties.com) also
still very much in demand today — create a huge range of bespoke mostly. unfortunately. on tea designs. many of which utilise towels. period-style images or distinctive
Many contemporary wallpaper Scottish symbols. Squigee designs designs follow a similar aesthetic. can be found at the Glasgow and using natural forms and Eastern- Edinburgh branches of Inhouse style imagery. But now traditional (see also www.squigee.com). pattems have taken a back seat in The Tate's collection of papers favour of simplified. over-sized provide both style and cost images such as those seen in the effectiveness. These are available Osbourne & Little collection. from B&Q stores across the Their large flower and abstract country for only £20 per roll and repeats create a bold statement in come in designs featuring hold any living space — to the extent shapes. traditional decorative that many opt for papering only designs and organic explosions. one or two walls. combined with a complimentary paint tone. Mary Maxwell Designs, 63 Osbourne & Little designs often Dublin Street, Edinburgh, 557 come in striking colours such as 2173; Designworks, 38 deep reds or stark black and white. Gibson Street, Glasgow, 339 with areas of gold and silver 9520; Magenta Ink, 205 shading. The current penchant for Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, vintage shades of green. yellow 446 3777; Timorous Beasties, and brown. meanwhile. are used to 7 Craigend Place, Glasgow, great effect in Neisha Crosland‘s 959 3331; Inhouse 28 Howe gorgeous geometrical prints. Only Street, Edinburgh, 225 2888 two Scottish stores stock her and 24-26 Wilson Street, delicate designs. including Glasgow, 552 5902.
1 14 THE LIST 7—21 Oct 2001
From top: designs by the Tate (on roll); fimorous Beasties (right); four styles from Neisha Crosland; Sqigee (left); Timorous Beasties (right); Osbourne & Little (bottom pair)