CommonRoom aims to make high-quality art accessible to the many, rather than the few with their range of artist designed wallpapers, fabrics and homewares. They commission original designs from contemporary artists, as well as produce archival prints that commemorate the great history of artist wallpapers. Both their contemporary and archival ranges bridge the worlds of art and interiors and change the idea of wallpaper as background, placing it squarely in the foreground instead. CommonRoom's work is designed to challenge and excite, just like every great piece of art. All their products are designed and made sustainably in the UK, supporting British manufacturing and minimising the company's carbon footprint. In purchasing a CommonRoom design, the buyer supports British industry while acquiring contemporary artwork. CommonRoom also partners with Ecologi, planting a tree for every wallpaper roll sold.
Launched in 2014 by London-based artist Kate Hawkins, CommonRoom began life with a modest offering of four designs. In 2015, Sarah McClean, with a background in marketing and communications, joined her after a chance meeting at an antenatal class. Since then, they have expanded their product range to include select home furnishings and contemporary artworks. Each year CommonRoom launches a historical collection, and in 2016 they collaborated with the V&A archives to produce their inaugural design 'Lioness & Palms' from a 1918 print by CFA Voysey. The following year they added Wave (1929), by the great British artist Edward Bawden, and also produced a collection taken from Mr Kilburn's Calicos - a book of watercolours by William Kilburn, one of the most celebrated textile artists of the 18th century. 2022 saw the launch of ‘Silk Stripe’ – a wallpaper and border collection based on Voysey’s design for striped woven silk from 1918. 2024 saw the introduction of fabrics including woven jacquards for Lioness & Palms, made in a centuries old mill, plus printed linens for new and bestselling collections.
CommonRoom has a range of contemporary wallpapers by artists including James Ferris, Susie Green, Fee Greening, Kate Hawkins, Abi Ola, Anna Chapman Parker and Zoe Gibson. Using their extended network of contemporary artists, they can also create bespoke wallpapers on commission.
"Wallpapers designed to challenge and excite, just like every great artwork. Bridging the worlds of art and interiors, with bold yet timeless designs, created by artists, past and present."
"Using our network of artists, CommonRoom is thrilled to be able to collaborate with stylists, interior designers and brands on bespoke commissions to create original wallpaper artwork. We pair an artist whose style, technique or approach fits with the client’s brief."
