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Introducing a new Canadian wallpaper company

Thoreaux looks to the past for inspiration — illustrations, ceramics, tile and textiles — then reinterprets those archival patterns in a fun and modern way. Here are seven of our favourite designs.
Introducing a new Canadian wallpaper company

Thoreaux wallpaper

Owen Jones

This pattern is based on a Chinese earthenware print found on a painted bottle discovered by British architect Owen Jones. In his book, Examples of Chinese Ornament he praises Chinese fine arts for “the beauty and harmony of the colouring, and general perfection of the ornamentation.”

Wallpaper Chinese blue and white earthenware fine arts Thoreaux

Carolina Parakeets

Based on John James Audubon’s The Birds of America this wallpaper depicts a detail of a Carolina Parakeet’s feathers. The Carolina Parakeet was America’s only native species of parrot, extinct since 1904.

Wallpaper The Birds of America print parrot feathers Thoreaux

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The Grammar of Ornament

In 1856 architect Owen Jones wrote an influential book called The Grammar of Ornament, which outlined the general principles of form and colour in architecture. In the book, he illustrated a Chinese lacquerware pot design, which would become the inspiration for this print.

Wallpaper Chinese colourful lacquerware pot print Thoreaux

Faenza

This wallpaper is inspired by faiences (decorative glazed earthenware) found in Cairo’s Aqsunqur Mosque constructed in 1347. It is one of nine Blue Mosques in the world and features extraordinary interiors with carved marble, intricate tile mosaics and colourful stone inserts.

Wallpaper faiences Blue Mosques inspired mosaic Thoreaux

Royal Road

Inspired by a 19th-century porcelain bottle from China this pattern shows unmistakable Persian and Indian influences most likely discovered along the Silk Route.

Wallpaper China porcelain pattern Thoreaux

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F.Didot

You might know the Didot name from the typeface that bears his moniker. In the 19th century he ran his family’s print business. One of their works from 1874, a bronze-vessel-inspired lithograph served as the basis for this wallpaper.

Wallpaper Didot print Thoreaux

John the Beautiful

This pattern was inspired by a mosaic found in Turkey. In the 12th century John the Beautiful ruled the country and his strong military policies ushered in a long spell of stability and peace during which many beautiful works of art were created.

Wallpaper mosaic John the Beautiful Thoreaux

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