“Classic with a twist” is the theme of the recent collaboration between Parete and Scottish rug designer Wendy Morrison. The exuberant wallpaper collection brings together six interwoven designs that marry Morrison’s maximalist and ethereal patterns with Parete’s signature color sense and obsession with texture and materiality. The result is a rich, evocative collection that encapsulates the best of both brands in an exciting and immersive collaboration.
This week, Morrison joins us along with Daniela Guarin, co-founder and designer at Parete, to discuss the collection.
Raymond Paul Schneider: When did you first start developing this new collection?
Daniela Guarin: We first met Wendy at ICFF in May 2024, and from the very beginning, we knew there was something special in the air. Her concepts arrived soon after, and everything just fell into place so naturally — it felt like a creative alignment meant to happen.
Wendy Morrison: When I met Michael and Daniela at ICFF, I was immediately drawn to their passion and vision. I had been searching for the right collaboration to bring my work into the world of wall décor, and with them, it just felt right. The energy was there from the start. We began developing the collection shortly after, refining and evolving the designs over time. By September, when we met again in New York, we had honed the details, and the collection truly came to life.
RPS: What was the overall timeline from conception to final design?
DG: The process was beautifully swift and seamless. From the very beginning, our goal was to introduce the collection at Déco-Off in January 2025, and here we are, sharing it with the design world in early February — an exciting realization of our vision.
WM: It was a wonderfully fluid process. From the first spark of inspiration to the final designs, it took about seven months — each phase unfolding with a natural rhythm as we shaped and refined the collection.
RPS: What was your initial inspiration, and where did the idea(s) come from?
DG: We had been longing to explore chinoiserie, a design language so distinct from our usual aesthetic. When we met Wendy, we were captivated not just by her rugs but by her storytelling, her artistic sensibility, and her unique perspective. We knew instantly that we had to create something together. It all came together so quickly, almost as if the universe had been waiting for this moment to happen.
WM: My inspiration is deeply rooted in Eastern philosophies, their harmony with nature, and the enchanting world of flora and fauna. As a rug designer, I bring my artwork to life through yarn and texture. With this collaboration, it was Parete that translated those narratives onto walls, through exquisite materials like gold foil, grasscloth, and silk. It was the perfect union of my love for storytelling, craftsmanship, and nature.
RPS: Describe your overall creative and design process.
DG: Wendy provided us with her stunning rug designs and concepts, and from there, I reinterpreted them into seamless repeats. We experimented with scale, played with substrates, and let the patterns unfold organically. It reminded me of watching an artist at work — just when you think a piece is finished, you push a little further, refine a little more, and suddenly, it’s transformed into something even more spectacular. Every tweak enhanced the final result, making it richer, more layered, and utterly mesmerizing.
WM: My creative process is intuitive and immersive. I absorb inspiration from everywhere — books, museums, exhibitions, galleries, fashion. Then, I let it all simmer until it becomes a story I can put to paper. I start with sketches, refining them until they evolve into something truly magical.
RPS: Did you have a specific audience or theme in mind?
DG: Our collaborations are always about giving designers a canvas to tell their own stories. With this collection, we wanted to embrace something more traditional yet still infused with our signature energy. Wendy’s artistry brought an authenticity to the chinoiserie style that we could never have achieved alone — it’s her vision woven into our world.
WM: I envisioned this collection for the American interior designer who has an eye for timeless beauty — someone who loves the delicate romance of flora and fauna and appreciates the elegance of chinoiserie.
RPS: What methods, tools, and materials did you use to develop and prototype this design?
DG: We relied heavily on hand-drawn elements, refining and perfecting them in Procreate on the iPad before translating them onto various substrates. It was an exploration of materials as much as it was of design.
WM: My process always begins with sketches, which I then bring to life in Illustrator. From there, Daniela works her magic — transforming them into something that feels completely new and immersive in the world of wall décor.
RPS: Did you use any new techniques or technologies to conceptualize or create this product? If so, please explain.
DG: This collection allowed us to push our material experimentation further than ever before. We incorporated luxurious substrates — gold leaf, metallic grasscloth, and silky warp-applied threads — that added an entirely new dimension to the designs.
WM: The gold foil detailing excites me — it’s a centuries-old technique, yet Parete has breathed fresh life into it in a way that feels both modern and timeless.
RPS: Were there any challenges that influenced or changed the final design?
DG: The collaboration was truly harmonious. Wendy had a clear, beautiful vision, and every refinement only enhanced the final outcome. It was an effortless dance between our two worlds, with each iteration making the collection more exquisite.
WM: The magic was in the fusion — two distinct brands, different aesthetics, and different parts of the world coming together. It could have been a challenge, but instead, it became our strength. That contrast is what makes the collection so special.
RPS: Describe your brand’s overall DNA and ethos.
DG: At our core, we love art and design, but we approach everything with a sense of playfulness. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we take our craft and our clients’ experience very seriously. Authenticity is at the heart of what we do — we believe in collaboration, not appropriation. That’s why this collection means so much to us. Working with Wendy allowed us to honor tradition while bringing something fresh and joyful to the world.
WM: My vision has always been to create beauty in a way that sparks joy, tells a story, and makes people smile. This collaboration embodies that spirit — infusing spaces with wonder, elegance, and a sense of timeless enchantment.
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