Covering a part of your home in wallpaper is like wearing your heart on your sleeve—your true self is utterly exposed. “Technology has given wallpaper a new push,” says Rick Vintage, co-founder of Netherlands-based NLXL, a company that creates high-impact designer wallpaper. “It is an easy way to transform a space, and that’s what interior designers do,” he says. Alt Deutsch (the name of the intricate and playful paper pictured here), is one of seven patterns in NLXL’s Archives collection, which is a collaboration with award-winning design firm Studio Job. Each pattern is offered in either black and white or full-colour. “This is wallpaper for the home of a contemporary art lover,” says Vintage. “We actually sell this a lot to designers for their private residence.” Most recently, their wallpaper was installed in acclaimed architect Winka Dubbeldam’s New York City apartment and the firm has “an inquiry from the fashion designers of Viktor & Rolf,” too.
But there’s more to life than wallpaper. Last year, Vintage launched an offshoot of his company, NLXL LAB, in order to work more freely with both established and up-and-coming designers on projects that aren’t limited to wall coverings. “NLXL LAB is about freedom—the freedom to make nice things,” he says. With NLXL LAB, a full collection isn’t required and a custom pattern may be applied to different mediums like a notebook or even a vehicle. “[We have] talked about a hand-painted classic Porsche 911 as a limited edition for NLXL LAB. Why not!” ✦