10 Minutes with … Rebel Walls

This week we have interviewed the wonderful Catherine Higgins, a representative from Rebel Walls. She has kindly answered a few questions about trends and their wallpapers, so read on. Can’t quiet remember how we found this amazing company, but since we did, we have literally installed their wallcoverings in all our schemes - if you check our Instagram I’m sure you’ll spot a few on our feed. Rebel Walls papers are design-led, high quality and “out of the box” as they describe themselves and we couldn’t agree more. The reason we sway towards their papers is not only the way they give your room life and a sense of identity, but the customer service is top notch, which is so important and a huge selling point to us and our clients.

Rebel Walls can and will assist you throughout your wallpaper journey. You can choose from lots of wallpapers on their website, or even design your own. If you don’t know this company I would definitely check them out. Not only do they supply you with wallpaper, but they have a wealth of knowledge and endless inspiration images of their papers in situ, if that’s what you’re looking for.

We love a bit of history and like to know the story behind a brand, so here’s a little bit about Rebel Walls.

Rebel Walls was founded in 2012 by Christofer and Irene Gimmersta. But, this wallpaper love story started already back in 1924. It was the year Christofer’s Grandpa got hired as an errand boy at a wallpaper store in Borås, Sweden. He later worked his way up to the top and bought the business together with his son-in-law.

The new generation, Christofer and Irene, met in high school in 1995. After they had graduated from college, they worked in a traditional wallpaper factory in Nässjö. The smell of the freshly printed wallpapers caused them to fall unconditionally in love with the whole concept. They soon learned and got interested in new wallpaper techniques. Digital printing was still an innovation when the couple chose to try it out. And as you may have guessed, they fell in love with that too. Rebel Walls is their second wallpaper company that adopts this particular printing technique and has its focus online. In 2018, Rebel Walls welcomed Fredrik Appelqvist as the new CEO.

So here we are today talking and learning from some of the best in the bizz.

Catherine Higgins will be answering some questions about wallpaper, so let’s begin.

NL: What trends are coming through from Rebel Walls for 2021?

CH: With regards to trends, I had a discussion with our designers as well to see that our thoughts matched the same and they do.

I would say the biggest trend overall not only with wallpaper but in general is natural materials, in both motifs/patterns, but mainly in products as far as materials go. Another recurring trend is that the more unsure our world and society becomes the more we want to surround ourselves with organic/natural textures and materials. I would say botanical prints and structured graphic motifs will continue to be a big thing next year.

Sustainability in both materials and motifs I would say is a key trend.

NL: Do you have a favourite wallpaper?

CH: I have a few, to be honest, I love nature and landscape scenes, so of course, there are many wallpapers with that kind of design that are amongst my favourites. I like designs that add depth to the walls too. Here are some of my top favourites.

NL: What is Rebel Wall's most popular wallcovering and why?

CH: Our Bellewood pattern is most definitely our most popular pattern. I think this is because of the simplicity of the design and that it matches so many different styles. This wallpaper can be included in any room of a home. It has been popular in the bathroom, nurseries, living room, etc. The simplicity and beauty of this pattern are what attract people I think.

NL: Why, in your opinion, would you choose a wallcovering over paint?

CH: I'd choose a wallcovering over paint because wall murals are just so versatile and you can completely transform any space with them. Wallpapers are so much more than just adding a dash of colour, you get a pattern. It can be a beautiful landscape scene of your favourite place, a picture of your family, it can be huge flowers for a dramatic effect, a really cool concrete wall or even some elegant stucco – (almost) everything is possible with wall murals. I think you are a lot more limited with what you can do in your home with paint, but of course, a combination of paint and wallpaper can create a magnificently striking effect together.

NL: What is the coolest/most prestigious place one of your wallcoverings have been installed?

CH: I think the coolest place where our wall murals have been installed was the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, as part of an exhibition there. The most prestigious I think was Emily Henderson's nursery using our Bellewood.

Interior design @em_henderson, photo @tessaneustadt, wallpaper @rebelwalls

CH: I also love the toilet at restaurant Balthazar in Borås

Interior design @designbyhjarterum, photo and wall murals @rebelwalls, location @balthazar_boras

Hope you’ve enjoyed reading todays blog as much as we’ve loved writing it. Our next blog is from a another prestigious wallpaper company, can you guess who? Keep your eyes peeled!

Over and out x

For more amazing wallpapers go check out https://rebelwalls.com/uk

10 Minutes with … Cole & Son

Let’s Talk Wallpaper

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