Wonder Wall: When Surfaces Tell Stories
TRENDS 01.07.25
Walls have transformed from functional partitions into expressive works of art that elevate interiors, immersing inhabitants in stories of texture, colour, and narrative. The trend transcends traditional wallpaper and mural applications, embracing everything from layered wall coverings to dramatic bespoke installations.
Take the Sarsen Interiors project, where the backdrop becomes a living tapestry. Here, monochrome botanical prints interplay with opulent chandeliers, marrying natural motifs with glamorous detailing. The walls are panelled in dark, textured wood, creating a layered canvas that glows under the warm light, drawing the eye and enveloping the space in richness.
Design by Sarsen Interiors
Pierre Gonalons’s Parisian apartment reimagines wall art with bold geometric brass panels. His choice of reflective, faceted surfaces amplifies light and shadow, creating a dynamic optical illusion. The room transforms with each movement, echoing Art Deco’s architectural grandeur while embracing modern sensibilities.
Meanwhile, in another corner of his residence, hand-painted floral murals, gilded with hints of gold, wrap around the walls, creating a sense of a secret garden, a space both intimate and opulent.
Design by Pierre Gonalons
Photo by Stephan Julliard
Chahan’s work at Pavyllon London showcases sculptural wall panels that evoke a surreal dreamscape. The relief of sinuous forms, abstract animals and lush botanical motifs adds a three-dimensional element, creating a tactile invitation for touch. The interplay of soft, pastel tones with subtle metallic accents furthers the sense of depth, while layered lighting and plush furnishings complete the cocoon-like atmosphere.
Design by Chahan
Photo by Sebastien Veronese
Design by Silvia Nencini
Silvia Nencini’s mural in a tranquil bedroom transforms a simple sleeping space into a verdant retreat. Delicately painted trees and flowers in misty greens and soft whites suggest a serene garden landscape, drawing inspiration from classical frescos and naturalistic paintings. This immersive artwork bridges the gap between architecture and nature, seamlessly integrating wall art into daily life.
Design by Fromental
Fromental’s Paradiso hand-painted silk panels redefine traditional chinoiserie, introducing a contemporary edge to a classic style. Deep, saturated hues of teal and rich crimson are brought to life with delicate brushwork and gilt accents. Each panel tells its own story of flora and fauna, arranged to envelop the viewer in a cocoon of colour and narrative.
Set within elegant panelled walls and framed by sculptural lighting, La Danse des Hérons by PaperMint turns this corridor into a serene focal point. The mural captures graceful herons in flight and repose, their soft forms set against a slate-blue backdrop. Both calming and dramatic, it’s a quiet reminder of how wallpaper can become the emotional centre of a space.
Design by PaperMint
Across these projects, the walls don’t recede into the background, they set the stage, invite engagement, and define the emotional tone of a space. Through murals, wallpapers, and custom installations, designers are crafting walls that are not just decorative, but deeply experiential.
