An inside look at the making of our newest collection with the artist, Katharine Watson
We first discovered Katharine Watson’s beautiful artwork quite some time ago, and we thought that it would translate beautifully to wallpaper. Now that this collection is done, we can proudly say that we were right. The two new florals, Conservatory and Symmetry, feature her signature hand-crafted look given that they began as linocuts. They feel both traditional and modern at the same time, and we’re offering them in an array of colorways that will suit a wide variety of décor styles.
Pictured: Symmetry (Rose)
Katharine started printmaking in college and loved how she was able to work with bold, monochromatic designs through linocut. She also loved making something that was so infinitely reproducible, because having art around every day is important to her and she wanted to make her work accessible to others. We talked to Katharine about her artistic process, pattern inspiration, and how she finds hygge in her own life.
Tell us about your background?
"I was born in New York and grew up in London and Hong Kong, and travel definitely influenced my love of pattern because it's something that is so universal. I started printmaking in college and loved how I was able to work with bold, monochromatic designs through linocut. I also loved making something that was so infinitely reproducible, because having art around every day is important to me and I wanted to make my work accessible so others could have it around too."
What was your design process like for these patterns?
"To make these patterns, I started with an original linocut for each. I carve the design out by hand, and then create a repeat once I have the printed artwork."
Pictured: Conservatory (Indigo) and Conservatory (Pewter)
What was your inspiration?
"Both of these patterns were inspired by symmetry, and the way that the human eye is drawn to symmetrical patterns in nature. I love to work on designs that are symmetrical but not perfect, if you look closer, everything is handmade and slightly irregular. Both patterns are inspired by my garden: I love looking for the way symmetry occurs naturally in the plants I grow, whether that's through the pattern of the petals, or a coincidence that two self-seeded plants end up growing together."
Pictured: Symmetry (Ebony)
Where do you envisions these wallpapers being used?
"I've recently defined my own style as "clean maximalism" so I'm picturing them in an old house with creaky floorboards and worn wood furniture, with lots of collected objects around."
Hygge is a Danish concept of finding coziness in life's small comforts and simple pleasures. What is hygge to you?
"Living somewhere as cold and dark as Maine in the winter, I definitely understand the need for Hygge. For me that means lighting candles once the sun goes down, and having friends over to sit under quilts and drink wine on the couch. It also means trying to create special moments without much fanfare, like hosting a dinner party on a random Tuesday because it brings some excitement and brightness to a time of year when there isn't as much to look forward to. I'm definitely a summer person, but there is something very communal about the coziness of winter that I like."
