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.
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.
Faint shadows on the drawings give a 3D appearance to the wall coverings while maintaining a soft, minimal appearance.
"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."
Designs include Drapery, which features blended vertical lines that resembles gently rippled fabric of lightweight curtains.
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.
Arches includes curved tiles overlaid in rows, while Squares 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.
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.
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.
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.