Arte’s new Alaya wallcovering collection is inspired by travels and sights along the fabled Silk Road, presenting an exotic landscape of dreamy graphics and color-saturated solids, all thoughtfully designed to complement today’s interiors. Bill Calhoun, President of Arte USA, discussed the genesis of these distinctive wallcoverings, from conception to showroom.
Banyan.
Gwen Donovan: Iconic sights along the Silk Road inspired your Alaya collection of wallcoverings; can you share a brief history of that historic travel-way?
Bill Calhoun: The ancient Silk Road was the route traveled by heavily-laden caravans bringing exotic materials– including silk and other luxurious commodities—from India to Western Europe and points in between.
GD: Briefly describe the mesmerizing patterns in Arte’s Alaya Collection:
BC: Banyan— This panoramic mural design was inspired by the Banyan tree forests seen along the Silk Road.
Katan Silk— A unique vinyl wallcovering created with an emboss based on raw silk, it offers warm neutrals and vibrant colors for a beautiful textured wallcovering.
Saranda— A large-scale printed textile wallcovering rendering silk with design inspired by the hills and floral aspects of a region in India with the same name.
Manali— Another large-scale printed textile wallcovering, this one inspired by the Buddhist prayer flags often flying in the villages of the Himalayas along the route of the Silk Road.
Katan.
GD: How long does it take to produce a new collection like Alaya?
BC: Every Arte collection typically involves one year from inspiration to finished product, and at times, much longer depending on materials involved. Alaya designs incorporate three different processes and indeed consumed a year of development to achieve Arte’s signature mix of tone and texture before debuting this January at Paris Deco-Off.
GD: As a company, Arte is committed to being environmentally-friendly and sustainable; how is that reflected during the production of your wallcoverings?
BC: All of our printed materials utilize water-based inks, FSC Certified non-woven substrates, renewable natural materials in those product categories, and a deep commitment by Arte to remain a Co2-neutral enterprise.
Manali.
GD: Do you have a favorite Arte wallcovering pattern or collection?
BC: A personal favorite this season (there’s always a new favorite with every launch!) is our new “Les Forêts” collection. The wonderful mix of product types inspired by the atmosphere of a dense forest includes several natural material designs including raffia, cork, banana leaf fibers, wood and textiles. The result is a dramatic choice of designs that work together to create a beautiful, ever enjoyable environment.
Saranda.
This or That? Choose the one that appeals most to you personally.
Wallcovering pattern: Moody and ethereal or sharper geometric styles? Les Forêts is a perfect mix of moody and ethereal, so in this case definitely moody and ethereal!
Wallcovering finish: Smooth (silk, linen) or dimensional (sisal, hemp)? There are so many great designs to choose from, but I’m especially fond of the silks Arte created for this new collection…based on the Silk Road of course!
Best room for wallcovering: Living room or powder room? Living room – go big or go home, I say! And a living room is a great space to use one of Arte’s large-scale murals.
Colorways in wallcoverings: organic neutrals or exuberant brights? Brights – and no one does them better than Arte!
Favorite interiors: Classic or modern? Or something altogether different? I like the mix – a classic room with a modern spirit, or a contemporary space with a touch of patina.
Read more of this series from aspire design and home editor Gwen Donovan, here.
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