Dezeen Magazine

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection

Maison&Objet 2016: Swedish studio Front has drawn patterns created by cut-out paper shapes to produce wallpaper designs with subtle three-dimensional effects.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection
Front's Arches wallpaper includes curved tiles overlaid in rows

The collection for Sweden-based Eco Wallpaper includes nine variations. Front folded, wove and layered the paper cut-outs to form the repeats for the white wallpaper.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection

Faint shadows on the drawings give a 3D appearance to the wall coverings while maintaining a soft, minimal appearance.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection

"Our vision has been to give white walls structure using shadows and sketched patterns," said Front co-founder Anna Lindgren.

"Today, patterns are OK and more furnishing styles can also exist at the same time."

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection
Front's Drapery wallpaper resembles gently rippled fabric of lightweight curtains

Designs include Drapery, which features blended vertical lines that resembles gently rippled fabric of lightweight curtains.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection
The Tilted Weave wallpaper was created by weaving paper strips diagonally

Patterns for Weave and Tilted Weave were made by threading strips of paper into overlapping lattices.

"Wallpaper has its origin in textiles, so for the pattern Weave we cut ribbons of the paper and wove them together," said Lindgren.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection
Front's Weave wallpaper was also made by threading strips of paper into overlapping lattices

Arches includes curved tiles overlaid in rows, while Squares looks like uneven wooden shingles.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection
The Squares wallpaper looks like uneven wooden shingles

A collection of seemingly randomly placed circles was used to create the Dots edition, and a similar technique produced the Leaves design with eye-shaped pieces folded down the middle.

"One aim was to create a light wallpaper pattern that wouldn't make the room darker," Lindgren said. "We think many people just paint their walls white by default. We want to inspire people to have wallpaper instead and still have brightness in the room.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection

Set up by Lindgren with Charlotte von der Lancken and Sofia Lagerkvist, Front is perhaps best known for its animal-influenced designs like the Horse Lamp for Moooi.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection
A collection of seemingly randomly placed circles was used to create the Dots wallpaper

The studio's recent projects include bent-wood furniture for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna and a modular storage system called Tetris.

Eco Wallpaper is presenting the collection at the Maison&Object trade fair in Paris, from 22 to 26 January 2016, where the brand is also debuting a collection by Spanish designer Jaime Hayón.

Front sketches paper patterns for Eco Wallpaper collection

Wallpaper is currently enjoying a renaissance, partly thanks to advances in digital printing technology. Recent collection launches include Kelly Hoppen and Dynamo's 3D-effect designs, Calico's sheets covered with stone powder and Piet Hein Eek's wallpapers that resemble architectural materials.