Emma Hayes Creative Wallpaper and Textiles Design
Emma Hayes is a New Zealand based designer. Her collections of wallpapers, cushions, throws and artwork stand out with their strong design watercolour effects.
These pieces have great light and shade as the colour fades and their strong yet whimsical feel plays out in their textural look within each design.
After seeing Emma’s work in several places I wanted to know a little but more, so we asked her a few quick questions, read on to see her answers below.
Who is Emma Hayes Studio?
EH – We are a New Zealand based design practice that primarily works across a range of textile projects. We have our own line of fabric, wallpapers and products for the home. We also create custom pieces for interiors, fabrics and other graphic work.
River Wallpaper – Urbis Magazine #79 – Mt Eden Villa
How long have you been in business?
EH – I have previously worked in both design & advertising, and in fashion, and established the business in 2010, releasing our first collection in 2011.
River Wallpaper – Used in a Poland apartment designed by Poco Design
What materials do you primarily work with and why?
EH – I love watercolours, ink and paint. I love the transition of colour from light to dark and enjoy using these to that end. I love anything that makes great textures (including photography). I like getting ink on my hands!
River Silk Throw – Home Magazine Apr May 14
What is the process of your creations?
EH – My work starts from hand made marks and drawings. These are often layered or developed to create final pieces. It’s important to me how a design works in context – how it repeats across a wall, how it is positioned on a fabric, how the scale, light or colour changes within it.
Ink Art Print #1
Where do you get your inspirations / ideas from?
EH – Nature and texture are something of a long-time friend of mine. Even if I’m not conscious of where my inspiration comes from, my designs often end up referencing the natural world in some way.
River Silk Pillowcase – Home Magazine
I can see on your website you create custom pieces for interior spaces, what is your favourite piece of custom design you have done?
EH – I recently created bespoke wallpapers for The French Café restaurant in Auckland.
The restaurant very much has a holistic view to the experience they create for their diners and I wanted to acknowledge the recent addition of a kitchen garden and the importance of its produce to their menu. I created a series of pressed edible flowers, herbs and beneficial plants which seemingly float and dance across the restaurant walls. I wanted to create designs that would encourage diners to think about the transition from outside to in, from garden to plate. I wanted the final designs to be calm, peaceful and light. The food served at this restaurant is exquisite so the designs needed to support that rather than being loud or brash.
The previous paper was a dark chocolate brown with gold floral. By lightening and freshening the colour (we picked up on hues within the decor) it also meant the space was more harmonious with a new private dining area that had since been added at the rear of the restaurant.
Custom Wallpaper Project – The French Cafe 2014 – Photographer Dean Foster
Custom Wallpaper Project – The French Cafe 2014 – Photographer Dean Foster
River & Wash Cushions – The Sugar Club – Photographer Manja Wachsmuth
River & Wash Cushions – The Sugar Club – Photographer Manja Wachsmuth
I’m just loving all of these pieces, to buy any of them you can do so directly on Emma’s website, jump on over to see all of her collection.
What do you think of the work of Emma Hayes MM Collection?
Let us know in the comments below!
