Creative and of the highest quality: this is what the Dutch wallpaper manufacturer Eijffinger stands for, which has been embellishing living rooms and bedrooms in houses and flats with its patterns for well over a hundred years. We spoke to Lucien van Uffelen, export manager responsible for German-speaking countries, among other regions.
In 1875, Anna and Theo Eijffinger opened their first wallpaper shop in The Hague. Anna became - unusually for the time - managing director of the company and shaped the innovative character of the designs that still characterises the brand today. Eijffinger quickly grew from a small retailer to a wholesaler. Today, the designs are created in the company's own studio, produced in the Netherlands and distributed internationally from the headquarters in Zoetermeer.
Scandinavian country house style
In recent years, Eijffinger has repeatedly dedicated itself to elegant, Scandinavian-inspired designs, many with a striking vintage look. With the Posy collection, Swedish country house style enriches living rooms and bedrooms. Iconic floral patterns were created in interplay with intense colours. Through the stylish arrangement of berries, leaves and flowers, the wallpapers bring floral splendour to the wall.
Floral Collection Museum
Opulent floral motifs are found in the Museum collection. Large-scale arrangements are among the most popular patterns. The intense colours create a warm atmosphere, while shades add depth to the wall. The refreshing design inspired by classic Dutch painting also has an invigorating effect in living rooms and bedrooms: colour-intensive peonies, cherry blossoms and carnations as well as twigs and leaves are enriched by colourful parrots and set exotic accents on the wall. An elaborate embossing imitates the feel of a painter's canvas on some of the wallpapers. Also part of the collection are plain wallpapers, whose feel is reminiscent of aged silk fabrics and which can be excellently combined with the intensive floral motifs.
Special embossings
Special embossing is a distinguishing feature of the wallpapers from Eijffinger. Many have the finest grooves, small nubs or special surfaces that bring a fascinating feel to the wall.
The Terra collection implements this in a unique way and presents elegant textured wallpapers whose motifs are inspired by arts and crafts techniques from all over the world. A classic of the collection is the reproduction of a straw weave. The wickerwork appears slightly raised due to the subtle embossing of the wallpaper and thus creates a special structure and feel on the wall. Colour contrasts highlight the pattern.
Interview
‘Designers in the Netherlands are always on the lookout for something new’
Lucien van Uffelen is the Export Manager at Eijffinger and is responsible for the German-speaking countries, among other things. We spoke to him about how a new collection is created at Eijffinger, among other things.
Eijffinger Export Manager Lucien van Uffelen
Robin Kreide: Mr van Uffelen, at Eijffinger, what are the steps from the initial idea to the finished collection?
Lucien van Uffelen: Before planning a new collection, our designers take a very close look at international trends in interior design. They visit trade fairs, but also talk to trend observers and draw inspiration from design trends on the internet. After sharing their ideas with our management and marketing team, the design team develops the first drafts. In the next step, these drafts are used to decide which idea should become a collection. At this point, we also consider which of the ideas fits the wide range of countries where our wallpapers are sold.
R.K.: As a so-called wallpaper publisher, you work with various manufacturers who produce the wallpapers for you. When do you decide which manufacturer will produce a new collection?
L.v.U.: The advantage for us as a wallpaper publisher is that we are very flexible when it comes to the surface of the wallpaper, the backing material used and other special features. Once we know the direction of a new collection, our design team considers which supplier is best suited to help us realise the wallpapers. It is also possible that wallpapers within a collection are produced by different suppliers.
R.K.: The styles of the Eijffinger collections are very diverse. They range from classically opulent to minimalistically modern. Does your design team include specialists for individual styles?
L.v.U.: No, we don't have any specialists. Each of our four designers is very versatile in terms of style. However, they do have different areas of focus. For example, we have a specialist for the surfaces and feel of the wallpapers, one for colour schemes and another for the design of the patterns.
R.K.: What do you think is typical about your wallpapers?
L.v.U.: What characterises Eijffinger is that, as a wallpaper manufacturer, we ask ourselves for each collection which production technique from which supplier we want to use, so that the patterns and colour variations ultimately come into their own particularly well in the room.
R.K.: Is there a collection that particularly showcases this Eijffinger concept in your view?
L.v.U.: The Museum collection is certainly one of them and is also one of our most successful. It shows very well how we precisely coordinate patterns, colours and the different qualities, i.e. the materials of the wallpapers. The collection includes vinyl wallpapers with a colour-intensive parrot pattern, but also quieter fleece wallpapers with a rather restrained floral design. There are also velour surfaces and large-format panorama wallpapers. All patterns are designed to be perfectly combinable.
R.K.: Scandinavian influences are also evident in Eijffinger's wallpaper designs. What do you consider to be typically Dutch about Eijffinger's designs?
L.v.U.: First of all, it has to be said that Scandinavian and Dutch design have a lot in common, which is why many of our wallpapers also have a Scandinavian touch. In addition, product designers in the Netherlands are very progressive and always looking for something new. Of course, the patterns in our collections that are inspired by the paintings of the Dutch Old Masters are also typically Dutch.
Colourful wallpapers
The colourful Solange wallpaper collection from Eijffinger combines traditional African design language with Scandinavian design. The surfaces of the wallpapers are pleasant to the touch and emphasise the natural effect of the patterns.
Geometric motifs
In addition to elegant floral compositions, Eijffinger repeatedly presents designs with sophisticated geometric motifs. The Twist collection, for example, convinces with striking lines, silhouettes and shapes that are perfect for a minimalist interior. The abstract designs create a timeless look in combination with a subtle colour palette. The striped pattern, reminiscent of abstract tree bark, is particularly popular and sets invigorating accents in living rooms and bedrooms. Different sized, uneven shapes create a unique illusionary effect. The stripe system gives the wall order, but retains an exciting dynamism due to the asymmetry of the surfaces.
Artifact Collection
The Artifact collection also presents timeless, geometric designs. From sophisticated patterns of triangles and grids to sweeping designs of arcs and lines, the collection creates an impressive order on the wall. The discreet vintage style typical of Eijffinger can be discovered in the collection's bestseller: small dots arranged in a slightly raised manner against a textured background using a special printing technique unfold a glamorous Art Deco atmosphere.
Collaboration with designers
Eijffinger regularly collaborates with other designers on collections. Collections are regularly developed with Studio Rice. And the Amsterdam home design studio Pip Studio has its wallpapers produced and marketed by Eijffinger. You can also find Pip Studio wallpapers at MEINEWAND.
Find matching colours in the MEINEWAND shop
In the MEINEWAND shop, our interior decorator Kai Bergen has already put together matching shades for many wallpapers. You will find them below the respective wallpaper.
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Image sources: Eijffinger