The Concinnitas team has been speaking with de Gournay to explore the heritage, craftsmanship and artistic processes behind its distinctive wallcoverings.
A family company and creator of hand-painted wallpapers, fabrics and hand-embroidered wallcoverings, de Gournay has developed from a cult name into an industry leader. Its work spans transportive Chinoiserie, East Asian and Panoramic collections, alongside an increasing focus on bespoke design.
At the heart of the company is a team of dedicated artisans, all trained by and working in-house for de Gournay. Their knowledge of traditional techniques, processes and materials allows each idea to be translated into hand-painted wallpaper, embroidered fabric or porcelain.
The work is defined by the individual marks of its makers. Every brushstroke and stitch introduces variation, depth and character that cannot be replicated by a machine. De Gournay describes this as “spirit resonance”: the belief that, through working by hand, the artist conveys part of his or her soul into each creation.
This approach can be seen across designs including Abbotsford at Castle Howard, Fruit Garden with Beata Heuman, Deco Palms, Ceres, Leopards at Dusk, Namban, Plum Blossom and Pietra Dura.
Each draws from a different visual language. Some revisit historic decorative arts, while others explore botanical forms, landscape and pattern through painting, embroidery, gilding and carefully selected materials. Yet none is treated simply as a reproduction. Colour, scale and composition can be adapted to the architecture and atmosphere of an individual space.
De Gournay’s artists possess what the company describes as a “profound and passionate knowledge” of the techniques required to turn each creative idea into reality. This combination of heritage, craftsmanship and bespoke design gives the finished work its presence.
