Wallpaper designer Erica Wakerly takes an architectural approach to her work, developing wall-coverings that become an integral part of a room’s composition.

Tell us about your design background and the history of the brand.

I began designing wallpaper whilst studying for an MA in Printed Textiles at the Royal College of Art, London (2003 -2005). I also have an illustration degree and had been working as a graphic designer, but my mindset had become more that of a product designer. I had ideas about designing ‘minimal wallpaper’ to integrate with architecture rather than being purely decorative. I won a couple of design competitions during my time at the RCA which gave me the confidence to establish my eponymous design brand when I graduated.

What does Erica Wakerly represent as a design company? 

Innovation, Integrity, Luxury. We work with one of the oldest, most skilled printers so we also represent the best of UK manufacturing. Highly-skilled, traditional processes, combined with my original design aesthetic, make us unique. 

How do you continue to be innovative in the industry? 

My designs often work with light, through the use of reflective metallics. With the new collection MODERN FLOCK I have focused on the physical properties of the flock. Flock has a feeling of cut velvet and is normally associated with heavier damask type patterns. I wanted to create flock wallpapers with a lightness and elegance, whilst retaining its luxurious, sensory quality. One of the ways I have achieved this has been to use a white flock on a matt white ground with my new designs BUZZ and SCOOP. The design is subtle but under light the 3D flock areas cast a shadow and the definition of the design becomes stronger. The effect is beautiful.

What has been your most successful milestone to date? 

In 2014 we were the first company to produce contemporary wallpaper with a metallic copper and white finish for our Copper Capsule Collection. We went on to introduce the grey and copper colour ways of ‘ANGLES’ and ‘FAN’ in 2016. The patterns comprise fine reflective copper lines against matt grey, which was ahead of the curve and trend-setting at the time.

What is the biggest challenge for Erica Wakerly in the wallpaper design industry?
 

Much of the industry has switched to digital printing, which has made it quick and easy to put wallpaper into production. It has allowed for a far greater choice of wallpaper but has also led the market to become saturated. I will always love the finish of traditional printing and we want to play our part in keeping this alive. There is physicality to the layers of pigment – a hand-printed quality which can’t be replicated digitally. Our foil and flock collections can only be printed to the same high standard by using the old techniques. With traditional printing there also is a commitment because you invest in the roller engraving. This ensures integrity to the design.

How do you tackle issues surrounding sustainability in the interior design industry in your own studio and processes?

We work with our manufacturer to use the most sustainable materials possible. Wood pulp used in the wallpaper is from FSC-certified forests and all our production is done in the UK. Within the studio we produce very little waste. Our packaging is made from recycled material. From a design perspective, the challenge is to create something with a timeless quality and to move away from a ‘throw away’ mindset. I think consumers are adopting this already. It is important to surround ourselves with things that improve our spaces and quality of life, but the aesthetic itself should be sustainable. This has always been my approach, but it is more important now than ever before. In addition, our wallpapers are designed to be on the wall for many years. The new flock collection is a particularly robust surface, which again is about longevity.

What are you focused on for 2022?

We are very excited to unveil our new MODERN FLOCK collection at Decorex in October. It will be the first time we have exhibited since the pandemic so I am really looking forward to this. The collection is extremely tactile so we want to encourage people to come along and have a look and touch! We also have some new fabrics in development and I am working on ideas and drawings for some larger scale wallpaper prints for 2023 and beyond.

www.ericawakerlywallpaper.com | IG: @ericawakerly