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How de Gournay creates some of the most beautiful interiors in the world
De Gournay, a prominent design house, is known for its exquisite hand-painted wallpapers that are recognized for their craftsmanship, vibrant aesthetics, and intricate details. Founded in 1986 by Claud Cecil Gurney, the company emerged from a quest to find Chinese artisans capable of restoring antique wallpapers using traditional methods. The family-run business, whose name is the French spelling of the founder's surname, specializes in adorning walls with vivid reinterpretations of historical scenery and landscapes, drawing inspiration from global cultures and centuries past. What started in London has since expanded to major cities worldwide, including Paris, New York, Moscow, Shanghai, San Francisco, and Beirut.
Hannah Cecil Gurney, a director at de Gournay, highlights that their wallpapers are designed to bring interiors to life, transforming spaces by creating a specific ambience and adding comfort. Beyond wallpapers, de Gournay also produces high-quality fabrics such as organza, duchess satin, and faille, and meticulously hand-decorates porcelain. The creation of a de Gournay wallpaper is a labor-intensive process, involving a team of six or more artists and utilizing traditional, largely natural materials. Clients can select from an extensive library of design prints or opt for a bespoke service that translates their unique visions into reality. Customization options extend to embellishments, including hand-embroidered details like fruits, feathers, and flowers, often featuring individually sewn beads. This level of personalized craftsmanship distinguishes de Gournay’s products as "haute couture" for interiors, ensuring each piece is a unique work of art that stands apart from mass-produced replicas.
Hannah further explains that many collections are inspired by renowned artists or beautiful locations globally. Artisans dedicate significant time to each order, with some panoramic panels requiring up to 90 hours of painting. This ensures that every wallpaper set is unique, tailored to the project's dimensions, and specifically hand-painted for the client's space, guaranteeing no two orders are identical. Among de Gournay's most sought-after collections are the vibrant Chinoiserie, Japanese & Korean, and Papiers Peints Panoramiques. The Chinoiserie Collection, inspired by 17th and 18th-century European houses and original Chinese wallcoverings, features elegant garden scenes with birds and flowers suitable for various interior styles. The Japanese & Korean Collection draws from Japan's Edo period, presenting more contemporary designs of Korean peonies, silk trees, swimming fish, and flowering wisteria, reflecting the natural world. Papiers Peints Panoramiques, part of the Scenic Collection, harks back to 19th-century French block-printed panoramic wallpapers, depicting enchanting global scenes on richly gilded, scenic, or antique Xuan papers.
Additional popular collections include the abstract Eclectic Collection, which combines floral patterns with bold landscapes, and the Diaghilev Collection, influenced by 20th-century Ballet Russes and the Art Deco era, showcasing de Gournay's embroidery, gilding, and painting techniques. De Gournay maintains its design philosophy while engaging in collaborations with designers and creatives. Notable partnerships include one with fashion house Erdem, which resulted in a botanical display of hydrangeas, irises, and chrysanthemums alongside sparrows on silk and rice Xuan paper. In 2017, supermodel Kate Moss collaborated with the company on "Anemones in Light," a floral wallpaper design that changes appearance throughout the day. De Gournay wall coverings require expert installation and museum-quality acid-free paper to ensure their longevity. The company offers three ordering options: "Pret a Porter" (ready to buy), "Made to Measure" (personalized designs and colors), and "Dreamworks" (completely bespoke designs, typically delivered within three to six months).
The pricing of de Gournay wallpapers varies based on wall dimensions, area size, and the type of wallpaper selected. Additional services, such as hand embroidery, which is popular despite its cost, and waterproof glazing for areas like bathrooms, also affect the price. In the UK, a standard Chinoiserie panel starts from £700, with prices increasing based on complexity. Whether inspired by a tiled mural in Lisbon or a Rococo mansion in Stockholm, each de Gournay wallpaper is a unique interpretation of history, blending tradition with modernity. The company's dedication to creating distinctive, high-quality wall art through the skilled work of its artisans contributes to the realization of aesthetically perfect interiors.
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