If walls could talk, those wrapped in de Gurney would sing. Established in 1986 by Claud Cecil Gurney, de Gournay is a British luxury interior decor company specialising in hand-painted wallpaper, fabrics, porcelain, and handcrafted furniture. de Gournay’s handcrafted wallpapers are particularly well-loved and fall in a price bracket, best described as ‘aspirational’, for most. The early designs featured landscapes, birds, and flora. The founder’s daughter, Hannah Cecil Gurney, joined the family business in 2012. Since then, the brand has not only endured but thrived amidst the ever-shifting tides of the luxury market. Svasa Life spoke to Hannah about de Gournay’s inspirations, processes, treasured projects, and vision. She has been instrumental in de Gournay’s transition from cult niche to industry leader, managing operations at a scale that has grown to include seven global showrooms and initiating projects with leading interior designers and luxury brands.
“I grew up surrounded by the early hand-painted wallpapers created by my father. Installations filled our London home like a living sample book. I understood from an early age the duality of a luxury business – the exquisite nature of the finished product and the work that goes into it,” Hannah recalls. “Beauty was the main draw, but my father encouraged me to qualify as a chartered accountant first, ensuring that I was multifaceted. I’m grateful now that he did so. It has given me a greater perspective. Adhering to his vision, I intend to continue creating exceptional wallpapers with our bespoke capabilities; to honour and protect centuries-old craftsmanship, and celebrate the beauty and spirit of handmade products.”
de Gournay’s enduring appeal lies in its deep-rooted connection to tradition. Their heritage-driven approach has resonated with discerning clientele seeking one-of-a-kind and authentic luxury experiences. “Many of the brand’s designs are inspired by historical originals, especially the Chinoiserie motifs, i.e., hand-painted garden scenes filled with birds and flowers. These inspirations remain intact in various old houses across the United Kingdom and Europe, serving as evidence for the fascinating premise that one day, installations of our wallpapers will become just such antiques. Alternatively, we are often presented with unique ideas from clients, sometimes even sketches, from which our design team composes a miniature scene for hand painting or hand embroidery,” adds Hannah Cecil Gurney.
A symphony of colour and craftsmanship.
de Gournay primarily uses Xuan rice paper or paper-backed silk onto which the design is meticulously painted using watercolours. These materials were being used for some of the earliest known examples of wallpaper, and the visual effects of the medium remain as powerful today as they would have been then. “Dyed silk, for example, creates a striking, matt base of colour, onto which the gouache pigments of our palettes appear especially vibrant,” Hannah tells us. “That said, we have also mastered techniques and styles to evoke wear too, and the Xuan paper is a great example of a soft degree of weathered age, subtly suggesting an antiqued provenance.”
Over the last few decades, de Gournay’s wallpapers have been featured in prestigious projects worldwide including royal residences, luxury hotels, and private estates. The brand has also worked on challenging wallpapers. Such as the recreation of original, 18th-century wallpapers, first from Houghton Hall and then from Belvoir Castle, two of the UK’s most celebrated stately homes. “Despite having unprecedented access to both historical installations, the complexities of re-interpreting them effectively for a modern audience was technically a much more complex process than we had anticipated. Nonetheless, it was also a wonderful experience to understand elements of their original creation and their storied roles in the narratives of two such beautiful locations.”
Presently, de Gournay’s collections span across various cultures and eras in terms of origin and inspiration. There is a diverse array of styles; from classic chinoiserie to modern abstract patterns. The brand is constantly looking for ways to develop new designs. “Inspiration can come from anywhere – the world around you, art, books, history, that’s the beauty of creating something from scratch – there are limitless sources to be inspired by. What I think we get better at is the transposing of original design references for contemporary applications. There are so many ways to do so without being repetitive” adds Hannah. de Gournay offers a variety of wallpaper designs inspired by India, including “Early Views of India,” a design based on a set of hand-coloured aquatints from the late 18th century that depict Indian landscapes, wildlife, and architecture. “Temple Newsam” is a design which replicates the antique paper installed in the Chinese Drawing Room of Temple Newsam House in Leeds in 1808. The wallpaper was embellished with birds cut from Audubon’s Birds of America.
The hand-painted ‘River Scenes of Bengal’ design draws from 18th-century aquatints and watercolour studies.
Moreover, collaboration is the cornerstone of de Gournay’s. The brand collaborates with various designers and artists such as ceramicist Frances Palmer and shell artist Tess Morley. The introduction of limited edition collections and exclusive collaborations has created a sense of urgency and desire among luxury consumers. “We find that sometimes the most successful collaborations are those that have a more organic origin, rather than something too tightly wound up in a specific aim or intention,” mentions Hannah. “Working with Frances and Tess was wonderful as their pieces were made with the existing hand embroideries within our Paris showroom apartment in mind, thus the results serve to compliment all parties. That said, working with Aquazzura on a brand-new design for their depiction onto footwear is a wonderful variation on the same premise.”
Furthermore, Hannah has a wealth of knowledge on selecting the perfect wallpaper to enhance any space. She advises, “I’d heard too often that clients were reluctant to use wallpapers in a kitchen or a child’s room, but it is worthwhile to think outside the box. Sometimes the right place for a de Gournay design isn’t where you would first expect. Whether a small apartment in a city or a vast country house, consider where you want to achieve a sense of escapism or tranquillity. For me, everything, of course, begins with wallpaper. My choices are always made slowly and organically. Once you are convinced of one element, such as the wallpaper, rug, or sofa; it has a domino effect on all other decisions. You just need that anchor. My anchor is the wallpaper. It is what I know best. It’s an uncomplicated but effective tool to add depth, and colour to even the simplest of spaces. I’m a firm believer in the power of colour, especially to transform the mood of a room and its inhabitants.”
As the high-end home decor market continues to evolve, de Gournay’s ability to adapt while staying true to its core values will be crucial. The brand believes that by continuing to focus on quality, fostering meaningful collaborations, and innovating its designs, it can ensure its enduring legacy as a leader in the world of luxury wallpapers and beyond.
Words by Pallavi Mehra
