Newmor Wallcoverings has elevated the venue’s dynamic spirit of Kaboodle – a next-generation social and entertainment hub – through a series of digital wallcovering with three bespoke designs created by Carrie Neely, and four favourites from its existing collections…
Newmor Wallcoverings, in a design collaboration with Kaboodle, has transformed the venue into a multisensory playground that taps into the ‘power of play’ – a significant trend emerging in hospitality design for happiness and wellbeing.
Image credit: Newmor
Kaboodle is a vibrant new destination reimagining leisure through a bold, playful lens in the heart of Derry, N Ireland. Envisioned as a next-generation social and entertainment hub, it has been designed as a one-stop venue for food, drinks, and games, bringing together an irresistible mix of karaoke, shuffleboard, 9 hole mini-golf, darts, and digital clay pigeon shooting all under one roof.
Across industries, the concept of ‘play’ is being embraced not merely as entertainment, but as a vital tool for emotional, cognitive and social wellbeing. Recent research from LEGO and WGSN reveals that play fosters creativity, reduces stress, and even improves problem-solving. With loneliness and burnout on the rise, modern consumers are craving experiences that deliver joy, connection and lightness, often through nostalgic or child-like formats.
Image caption: Tiger No 7 Carrie Neely | Image credit: Newmor
Designer, Carrie Neely said, “Kaboodle was an extreme turn around project, but I love a creative challenge, especially with such a fun project. Justin Vaughan who represents Newmor in Ireland approached me for the bespoke design work as he was looking for something a bit different for this project and Newmor produced the murals, also with a super tight turnaround. I think everyone worked really well together on Kaboodle to make sure the client was happy, and the project looked incredible.”
Image credit: Newmor
Newmor’s agent Justin Vaughan of In-Spec Ltd added, “the finished project consisted of three of Carrie’s bespoke designs, two existing Newmor digital designs, Vintage Verdure and Marble Tiles, and two Newmor stocked designs Panthera and Java. Kaboodle has easily been the most fun and exciting hotel project I have worked on to date”.
Kaboodle has really embraced the trend for emotive, immersive design by tailoring each wallcovering to amplify the mood and activity of its surrounding space. The designs aren’t just backdrops, they’re integral to delivering fun, supporting spatial zoning, and enhancing the sense of movement as the visual storytelling works hand in hand with the physical activities. In so doing, they have also succeeded in creating unforgettable Instagram-worthy moments right down continuing the jungle vibe in the bathrooms which feature Panthera, Newmor’s stocked leopard print design and Java, inspired by the rugged beauty of the island’s volcanic landscape.
Image credit: Newmor
Kaboodle’s Owner, Brendan Duddy sums up, “venues like Kaboodle are more than nightlife destinations – they are essential spaces for reconnection, offering visitors the opportunity to decompress, laugh, compete, and share memorable moments in real life. Our guests range from young children to over 60’s, and importantly none of the activities on offer are based on a gambling theme as they are all family orientated. Newmor’s can-do approach and UK manufacturing base allowed us to realise the vision we had for Kaboodle at very short notice. The wallcovering designs are instrumental in zoning spaces and creating the right vibe for each unique area”.
Image caption: Tree of Life Carrie Neely | Image credit: Newmor
Kaboodle’s launch taps into a wider societal shift toward valuing play not just as leisure, but as lifestyle. As we collectively seek more joy, more connection, and more meaning in how we spend our time and money, places like Kaboodle, supported by design-led interior manufacturers like Newmor show that play can be both fun and functional. Derry’s newest entertainment venue doesn’t just deliver a great night out – it delivers a vital boost to the mood, energy and wellbeing of all who step through its doors.
Newmor Wallcoverings 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: Newmor Wallcoverings
