This wallpaper, made with lino (linoleum) blocks is hand printed. This method of printing produces natural irregularities and a softness and subtlety of variation - which cannot be achieved mechanically.

The papers are two-colour, quite simply background and foreground, perhaps contrasting, or in varying shades of the same colour. These two-colour papers provide a background – in the tradition of damask – on which to display paintings, prints etc. The colours can be chosen to order, as the paper is printed using emulsion paints (for instance Dulux Colour Dimensions offer a choice of over 1,600 colours – including British Standard references, where applicable, but any other paint ranges could be used if preferred).

The inspiration for the designs is varied and wide, including: English Arts & Crafts (in particular William Morris);16th century woodcut illustrations of plants and flowers; Medieval tile patterns;Celtic decorative art; primitive geometric art and design; 1930's and Sixties-style patterns (both abstract and representational) and the direct influence of the late Peggy Angus (1905-1993)- artist, wallpaper and tile designer - a most extra-ordinary, lively and inspirational woman.
These hand printed papers offer an alternative to mechanically produced wallpapers, as well as giving clients a more active roll in the choice of colours, or even in developing a design - as in specially commissioned or ‘bespoke’ designs (see below).

Special one – off, or ‘bespoke’ designs can be commissioned - where the design can be worked out to the specification of the client - and a lino block, or blocks (depending on how the pattern repeats), cut to order. An example of this is a reproduction of a wallpaper design as seen in the background of an Otto Dix painting was produced specifically for an article in World of Interiors on German art of the 1930's (see World of Interiors, February '99). This design has now been added to the portfolio of designs.
Another example is a special design, which was produced for the Iranian Artist, Reza Aramesh in November 2003. His idea of using the palm tree as a motif to replace the acanthus leaves so often used in classical damasks was developed – thus introducing a Middle- Eastern theme. The artist then stuck passport-sized photographs in the middle of each repeat pattern, tying in with the photographic element of his work. This wallpaper was used both as a backdrop and as a part of his exhibition.
Other designs have been worked out on a particular theme - i.e. the Scottish theme of the 'Scots Thistle' - incorporating a plaid background and Scots pine cones as well as the emblematic thistle. Other designs were developed for specific flowers, such as the highly symbolic and often stylised rose.