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ATADesigns, Walls with Signature Style by Becky Hoh in Bespoke stories

ATADesigns, Walls with Signature Style

Sponsor content by Becky Hoh in Bespoke stories

The first time you see ATADesigns’ surface decoration it immediately stands out from the crowd, mindful of trends but never a slave to them, the motifs are always bold and graphic, statement and punchy.

The patterns somehow have a retro feel but are simultaneously completely contemporary, leaving behind any notion of era.

ATA is Annette Taylor-Anderson, who, armed with a degree in Textile Design and Surface Decoration set up her wallpaper, mural and tile company in 2006. She exhibited her first collection Construction, with her trademark thick black lined curved patterns (in this case inspired by London’s cityscape) at New Designers One Year On, and is now a regular fixture at interior trade shows and exhibitions in London, Paris and New York. The London-based studio has become a two person team, with Taylor-Anderson still creating all the design work but she has the addition of an operations manager to keep the logistical side of running a business running smoothly.

‘I start designing in my head, before sketching and finally designing and then producing the mural to scale.’

‘The brand has developed and gone from strength to strength,’ she says, ‘as well as selling our own wallpapers and mural collections, we have added lampshades to the product line and we also provide a bespoke design service allowing us to work closely with interior designers, architects, retailers and private customers. We find the interplay of ideas when working in tandem with clients on commissions, is a stimulating process, that’s beneficial for everyone involved.’

She constantly sketches, carrying around a notebook using black ink pens as she ‘loves the strength of line’ they give and also works with Photoshop and Illustrator to bring the designs to life. The resulting collections include both wallpapers and murals versions and she has just launched a brand new line entitled All Things British and Art Deco with a Modern Twist. The designs feature the Queens’ Guards, pipes and bowler hats as well as graphic versions of what resembles 1930s advertising posters, brunette bobbed women dancing in their pearls with men in top hat and tails. The murals come in various sizes, the largest coming in over 3 metre long and 2 metre high panels.

Taylor-Anderson can provide any size as part of her bespoke service but is also happy to put together a completely new design specifically for a client. One of the most interesting commissions was working with Karavan Interiors, creating a mural for the Servisair business lounge, Gatwick Airport, London.

‘They wanted me to design a city skyline incorporating their airplanes,‘ she describes. ‘Usually for an idea like this I like to visit the area, take pictures, sketch etc. But, because of security I wasn’t able to do this, so I had to rely on their photos, which actually worked out really well. I always prefer if possible to take my own photos though, using my own angles that spark off ideas in my head.’

Other bespoke projects include Floating Clocks Wallpaper for a residential project with Elisa Interiors, and applying an abstract design onto 3D structural ‘mica’ wallpaper for a boy’s room in a refurbishment of a Victorian House, with Elni Interiors.

Wallpaper specialists Forrest & Jones also commissioned a mural design from her for the Dawnvale North West Design Centre in Manchester.

‘I love the bespoke process,’ Taylor-Anderson describes, ‘ I used to paint too and I see each wall as a blank canvas. I start designing in my head, before sketching and finally designing and then producing the mural to scale. I love it to see the client so pleased with the finished article. I get this great sense of satisfaction, knowing that the work is enjoyed. First, by the commissioner, and then by others who see it.’

There is plenty more to come too, with a commission from Paul Rinkens for on a bespoke design mural for Qbic Hotels in London which is due to open later on this year. She is also working with Elni Interiors again, this time applying her Abstract Funky design onto a new eco-friendly product called Nexiform, which will be turned into a splashback panel behind an AGA in a kitchen project. The sketch book is being put to good use again with a collaborative collection of wallpapers and murals inspired by Italy, with interior designer Elisa Fanella.

‘You see, that’s the great thing with surface design,’ smiles Taylor-Anderson, ‘the flexibility leaves the way open to so many surprising possibilities.’