Talking wallpaper design: Isabelle Boxall on her new collection, Chalk & Tides.
‘Chalk & Tides is inspired by the beautiful southern coastline of the UK. The collection name refers to the iconic stretches of chalk cliffs, and the oceans ever-changing tides. I think many of us have a deep connection being near the sea, a sense of freedom and slower living. I walk most days in the South Downs and along the coast, as well as spending a lot of time in Dorset and Cornwall, all of which have shaped the idea behind this collection. This coastal collection, comprising of seven designs, reflects fragments of memories by the sea. An original, nostalgic take, on a classical interior theme.’
Above: Cuckmere Haven
‘This design is my love letter to the South Downs. Cuckmere Haven is especially meaningful to me, as I’ve visited this beautiful place throughout my life. This design captures the iconic Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in the background with the meandering Cuckmere River and rolling Sussex hills. If you look closely, you see the coastguard cottages, the Lillington White Horse, and a bike rider enjoying the empty roads. This design instantly transports me to a balmy, summers day, foraging on walks and soaking up the sea air. I wanted this design to have a sketched quality, to feel relaxed and like a memory.’
Above: Sea Tangle
‘The idea for Sea Tangle was sparked when I saw vividly coloured seaweed drifting through the shallow water at Pedn Vounder beach in Cornwall. I experimented with the art of pressing seaweed and was surprised by how well the seaweed retained its colour. This became the starting point, and I wanted to create a tangled, seaweed motif, designed as a contemporary twist on a traditional floral.’
Above: Eddy
‘In recent years, small-scale wallpaper designs have seen a strong resurgence, particularly to create a bold impact in smaller spaces such as bathrooms, reading nooks, and used decoratively on furniture. Inspired by this, I set out to create a wallpaper that feels playful and confident, while retaining a subtle, aged quality.
Eddy celebrates the centuries-old technique of Turkish marbling, an art created when pigments are dropped onto thickened water before being transferred to paper, creating fluid, organic patterns. Traditionally, these marbled papers were used as book endpapers or decorative accents, but I thought how amazing this would look as wallpaper. I loved the meditative process of marbling, as each piece was entirely unique with total freedom for experimentation. The name ‘Eddy’ refers to the circular movement of water, as the oceans stir with the shifting skies.’
Above: Kite
‘For my first geometric design, I set out to create a soft, small- scale repeat with a vintage, mid-century style. Initially influenced by quilted blankets, the design evolved and I reminisced over flying kites on the beach and picnic blankets. I wanted the pattern to have a hand-painted and imperfect quality, so I started with a simple diamond checkerboard, painted in gouache on textured paper, and then layered it with varied digital line work. The design can stand alone or be used as an accent alongside other designs in the collection.’
Above: Rockpool
‘This design explores the hidden world of rock pools. I loved rock pooling as a child and still do, peering into these miniature worlds that reveal new wonders with each tide.
I wanted the design to be richly detailed, with an illustrative, surface-print quality. Influences include Aboriginal art and the work of Gustav Klimt, with small, repeated markings used to echo the kaleidoscopic nature of life found within rock pools. Nestled among limpets and shells are starfish, urchins, and anemones, all hand-painted in clusters between swathes of seaweed.’
Above: Tranquil Tides
Tranquil Tides was by archival studies of fish and aquatic life, particularly those of Frank Edward Clarke and John Reeves. Developing from Sea Tangle, the design dives deeper to explore the quieter world of the ocean floor. I wanted to capture the stillness and character of each fish, while balancing this with the movement of the seaweed. Painted in watercolour and gouache on textured paper, this design is timeless but can also be used to create a statement.
Above: Lido
‘In the summer, I spend a lot of time swimming at my local lido, Sea Laines in Brighton. Set right on the sea front, you can look out to sea as you swim, whilst still being in the heart of the city and hearing life go on around you. There is a simple pleasure in swimming, the feeling of weightlessness and the rhythm of movement, allowing you to switch off. My visits led to the idea of a classic striped wallpaper, reinterpreted with the addition of swimmers. I wanted to create a playful design that felt versatile for use across a wide range of spaces.’
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Take a closer look at the hand-painted details..
‘This design was influenced by the work of William Kilburn, who used seaweed within some of his floral illustrations. Painted primarily in watercolour, the design reflects the fluid movement of seaweed in water.’
‘I work with watercolour, gouache, pencil, and digital methods, and build my designs through layering. This process adds texture and depth, creating a hand-crafted finish.’
‘I wanted this collection to feel more organic and inspired by grounding colours that feel rooted in the natural landscape of the British coastline. The collection has a painterly, imperfect quality that I hope brings a sense of nostalgia and familiarity to your home.’