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The Making of Calico’s Marbled Wallpapers

Back in 2013 at ICFF, we became enamored with Calico Wallpaper and their marbled wallpapers. Rachel Mosler and Nick Cope are the duo behind the brand that brings high art to wallpaper with their gorgeous hypnotic patterns that are customizable to any wall size. What you might not realize is that each design is handmade, in that Mosler marbleizes sheets of paper and then hands it off to Cope, who adapts the pattern to fit any wall. The line offers three three marbled designs, each available in three colorways, that will most definitely make you swoon. Now, the pair takes us through how it all begins in this month’s Deconstruction.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Pouring the methyl-cellulose bath into the metal tank.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Skimming the surface of the methyl-cellulose bath to remove air bubbles.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Prepping the natural pigments for paper marbling.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Najee Wilson and Rachel Mosler looking on.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Paint floating on the surface of the marble bath.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Paint floating on the surface of the marble bath.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Lowering the paper onto the marble bath.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Smoothing out the cotton paper to remove air bubbles.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Cleaning the surface of the painting.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Draining the methyl-cellulose bath from the tank.

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Photo by Cyle Suesz

Coating the original papers with Renaissance Archival Wax.

Nick working on the digitizing of the original artworks.

Wabi – Cloud.

Lunaris – Midnight.

Night – Slate.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.