4 Top Hand-embroidered Wallpaper Brands that Double as Art Murals

In Hong Kong's space-conscious homes, wall is often where the art is——but it doesn't necessarily mean wall-hung paintings.

Wallpaper is having a major comeback. Done right, today's artisanal wallpapers do way more than just covering the wall – they are the focal point of your space. Forget flat, boring patterns. Modern designers are creating gorgeous three-dimensional pieces using beads, sequins, colourful threads, and metallic accents that catch the light just right. Each piece tells a story through hundreds of hours of handcrafted detail, adding texture and personality that double as serious art murals.

de Gournay

Established in 1986, this British brand specialises in custom embroidered wall coverings. de Gournay works with various fabric grounds including silk, linen, velvet and wool sateen, as well as client-supplied materials. Their noteworthy "The Celestial Atlas" collection takes cues from New York's Grand Central Station ceiling, featuring three-dimensional hand-embroidered and hand-beaded zodiac signs amid metallic stars. The collection showcases constellations such as Orion, Pegasus, Musca Borealis and Triangulum Majus that shimmer against vibrant green painted silk backgrounds.

4 Top Hand-embroidered Wallpaper Brands that Double as Art Murals — Photography by Michael Clifford

Cole & Sons

Founded in 1875, this London luxury wallpaper and fabric powerhouse merges traditional British design with hand-embroidered elements. Cole & Sons' portfolio features dimensional embroidery on printed backgrounds, using metallic threads and silk appliqués. Take the Verdure Tapestry series. It draws from Flemish tapestry-weaving traditions, specifically inspired by a 17th century work currently displayed in Kensington Palace's King's Presence Chamber. These designs pay homage to what were known as "the mobile frescoes of the North" - lavish woven art showcasing fanciful trees and foliage without traditional perspective constraints. Cole & Son translates these into sumptuous panel scenes abundant with rich flora and fauna.

Pierre Frey

Founded in 1935, this family-owned French Maison creates wall coverings merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Their embroidered works showcase techniques like tambour embroidery and French knots. Pierre Frey is known for narrative-driven designs influenced by their extensive historical archives. Take the Parvati series, drawing inspiration from an 18th century screen covered with wallpaper. This exceptional embroidery on linen features delicate branches and birds rendered in subtle, luminous colours.

LALA Curio

The newest of the four, LALA Curio is a Hong Kong couture and decor brand founded by Laura Cheung Wolf in 2014. Characterised by bold colours and revived Asian craft techniques, the brand offers an East-meets-West aesthetic with hand embroidery on various backgrounds including lacquered panels and hand-painted silks. Its latest Feuillage collection is inspired by Wolf's hike on Japan's famed Yakushima Island—the mystical forest that influenced Studio Ghibli's film, Totoro, a childhood favorite she now shares with her own children. This nostalgic journey inspired her to create works reflecting Totoro's theme of harmony with nature through carefully depicted hand-painted flora and fauna, intricately embroidered on backgrounds of natural sea grass, suede, velvets, wood and cork.

LALA Curio is opening a flagship showroom at The Peninsula Hong Kong this month, becoming part of the hotel's prestigious Art in Resonance program that supports emerging and mid-career artists. This new location will showcase their signature bespoke wallpapers and curated luxury decor items, with specialized design services accompanied by traditional Chinese tea ceremonies.