Product watch: All Naturals from Arte

Arte has always had a predilection for unusual materials, creating superb wallcoverings from many unique materials it finds around the world. Raffia, sisal, mica and banana bark are just a few of the stunning natural products Arte uses for its amazingly diverse range of natural wallcoverings.

Camago and Casalian are two of these patterns, and have their roots in one of the most exotic places in the world – the paradise that is the Philippines. One of the country’s greatest natural resources is the banana tree. For Camago, wide, coloured strips are glued by hand to form a unique variegated texture. The narrow, coloured strips from Casalian are woven by hand. Camago is available in seven colourways. Casalian is available in six colourways.

Image caption: Drift | Image credit: Arte

Drift is made from natural sisal fibres which are very finely woven, the woven sisal is then handpleated and metallic ink is applied to the tips of the pleats. This yields a living, totally unique wallcovering, brimming with character, and is available in six colourways.

Dupion showcases the refined elegance of 100 per cent real silk. The unmistakable weave in this wallcovering celebrates the natural irregularities of this luxurious material, making Dupion unique with colour nuances that vary depending on the flow of light. Available in nine colourways.

The name of the design Ferox is derived from the Latin ‘ferus’ meaning ‘wild’, featuring roughly woven paper threads as a geometric. Ferox is available in five colourways.

Fringe is an authentic double-weave jute with a complex construction where jute strips are first dyed and then woven. This fabric is then glued onto a shiny metal foil or a matt base,and then it is all cut into strips again before being finally woven once again. Available in three colourways

Infini is made from a combination of paper thread and banana leaf, woven and dyed by hand. This very natural wallcovering features many different shades and small knots that celebrate minor imperfections, and is available in four colourways. Koumbala is a jacquard woven wallcovering showing a horizontal pattern that suggests a subtle movement, reminiscent of the Koumbala River in Manovo National Park. Available in five colourways.

The fibres of the climbing plant kudzu, common in tropical regions, are coarsely woven into the unique Kudzu wallcovering celebrating the irregular thicknesses and varying shades of the natural threads. Available in six colourways.

Image caption: Kudzu | Image credit: Arte

Line is a natural wallcovering that radiates peace and warmth made of sisal resulting in many natural shades. Papyrus is another traditionally-made wallcovering with hand-folded paper as an eyecatcher. The paper is patinated with metallic ink and cut into small strips. These strips are woven with a hand loom, ensuring there is no repeated pattern, making every piece genuinely unique. Available in three colourways. Raphia is a woven combination of raffia and rough threads, with an irregular texture to highlight its natural character. Both matt materials contrast beautifully with the metallic or lacquered background. Available in three colourways.

The Ruban design features narrow raffia strips glued by hand to a non-woven backing, which in turn is cut into wider strip and woven into a whole piece. Available in four colourways. Rattan is a handwoven material that creates a timeless, warm look. Thanks to the shading of the natural fibres, a nuanced shadow play of light and dark is created. This effect is enhanced by a background in cream or black. Available in two colourways. Sambe is a design made of hemp fibres whose natural colours contrast with fine black yarns. Available in five colourways. Scope is inspired by a steppe, a treeless vista, giving a soft look, making it a very versatile design. Available in five colourways.

Shimmer consists, as it were, of woven mica. First, sheets are coloured with glued mica flakes. They are cut into very narrow strips, which are then woven with a conventional loom. The result is a wallcovering with the look of a very fine, gently glistening mosaic. Available in six colourways.

The basic material for the Twill wallcovering is a tropical plant, the pandan. The fibres of this plant are interwoven by hand and cut diagonally into strips that are then woven, drawing inspiration from the use of braiding in fashion and interiors. Available in three colourways.

Broad strips of jute adhered together create Uno – its overlapping edges create a beautiful, subtle effect that leaves this design just shy of smooth with an authentic, natural look and feel. Available in seven colourways.

Waffle Weave is the result of a technique used to weaves together strips of paper which forms a waffled effect softly reminiscent of waffle linen fabric, offering structure on the wall in a subtle and refined way. Available in five colourways.

Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Arte