Design Tastemaker: Catalina Estrada's Fantastical Wallpapers
Wondrous wallpaper designs in unusual hues will carry your rooms into the land of imagination
Product designer Catalina Estrada considers herself an artist first — probably why her recent wallpaper collection for Coordonné has the artistic gravitas of a mural. "[Product design] was something I started discovering on the way. I started receiving proposals from different clients, and I thought it would be a nice idea to give it a try. But when I got the pre-samples, I fell in love with everything; it's really amazing to see how my illustrations fit in different products," says Estrada.
What projects are you working on now?
I'm working on many projects at the same time: bed covers, handbag lines, travel bags and many more — all of them very exciting projects. I'm also pretty focused on building my own brand.
I'm working on many projects at the same time: bed covers, handbag lines, travel bags and many more — all of them very exciting projects. I'm also pretty focused on building my own brand.
Estrada's fantastic interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood.
What inspires your work?
I've been very lucky to travel a lot, and this has been a great source of inspiration for all I do. I take inspiration from all types of music, art — especially folk art — design, movies and fashion. I particularly like Latin American artists, writers and musicians. Almost anything or anyone that touches my emotions can easily inspire me.
What inspires your work?
I've been very lucky to travel a lot, and this has been a great source of inspiration for all I do. I take inspiration from all types of music, art — especially folk art — design, movies and fashion. I particularly like Latin American artists, writers and musicians. Almost anything or anyone that touches my emotions can easily inspire me.
"I've always been drawn to nature, dating back to my early childhood in Colombia's countryside," says Estrada. The elements of her upbringing — birds, flowers, gardens and color — are all part of her favorite images, which is why the Coordonné collection is such a special selection and collection for Estrada.
This wallpaper pattern in an Easter egg palette is less stimulating than the rest of the patterns and scenes in Estrada's Coordonné collection, making it a good choice for the bedroom.
Do you still draw by hand, or is everything in your office digital?
I still draw by hand my personal art projects.
Do you still draw by hand, or is everything in your office digital?
I still draw by hand my personal art projects.
Here, the dining table's background is converted into a striking work of art.
Estrada dedicates her first blog post to her mother, from whom she "inherited [her] love for colors." Estrada also credits her mom's house as a site of inspiration, "a place of dreams, vibrant and beautiful colors ... beautiful memories," she says.
Estrada dedicates her first blog post to her mother, from whom she "inherited [her] love for colors." Estrada also credits her mom's house as a site of inspiration, "a place of dreams, vibrant and beautiful colors ... beautiful memories," she says.
The most important thing on your work desk is ...
I need some kind of visual order, so aside from my computer, I try to keep as few objects on the table as I can, otherwise I can't work very well.
Q: If you could pick one color to live with for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?
For me, one color only is simply not an option.
More:
Wallpaper: The Bold and the Beautiful
DIY Project: Wallpaper Goes Mobile
Turn a Wall into a Window With the Magic of Scenic Wallpaper
I need some kind of visual order, so aside from my computer, I try to keep as few objects on the table as I can, otherwise I can't work very well.
Q: If you could pick one color to live with for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?
For me, one color only is simply not an option.
More:
Wallpaper: The Bold and the Beautiful
DIY Project: Wallpaper Goes Mobile
Turn a Wall into a Window With the Magic of Scenic Wallpaper
What and who are your design inspirations?
I would say the Arts and Crafts artists, with their obsession for details and ornaments.