Spotted: Rather than huddle around a single point of heat waiting for the entire room to warm up, people can now bask in full room heating supplied by ceiling, wall, and floor panels. Made by startup NexGen, a thin film of graphene uses far infrared rays and convection to project heat. The process distributes warmth evenly throughout a space, thereby using less energy to reach the desired temperature in less time.
The rising costs of living are affecting everyone, with particularly dire effects on those with fixed incomes. The Welsh Government is trialling the graphene heat system in a number of social housing buildings to help reduce the high cost of fuel. Capable of being installed under materials such as plaster, carpet, and vinyl, the graphene films help residents better manage their heat use. For some, heating their entire living space all day is unnecessary, so a room-by-room set-up helps to more efficiently manage expenses by using only what is needed.
Installation requires a few days of work, and the system plugs into traditional electrical sockets. Solar panels and a smart battery further increase the sustainability and affordability of the system. And far infrared rays have also proven beneficial to general health.
Springwise is spotting a number of innovations seeking to make more efficient use of available heat sources, with geothermal panels in underground car parks heating the building above and disused coal mines being used to create regional heat networks.
Our latest lookbook takes a look at interiors that have been filled with printed wallpaper to create playful, colourful spaces and bring a sense of joy to the rooms they’re in.
Patterned, printed wallpapers are an easy way to revive tired rooms and create interesting designs for everything from guest bathrooms to main bedrooms.
Here, we have gathered inspiration from ten projects, including an architect-designed hotel interior and a Milanese apartment where the patterned wallpaper creates a decorative clash with printed curtains.
This is the latest roundup in our Dezeen Lookbooks series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series feature plant-filled interiors, lush rooftop gardens and spaces for outdoor dining.
Hotel Les Deux Gares, France, by Luke Edward Hall
British designer Luke Edward Hall went all in when it came to the interior design of this French hotel, mixing pea-green walls, leopard-print furnishings and candy-striped beds for a vibrant, colour-clashing design.
While it has an intricate pattern of branches, flowers and people, the colours of the printed wallpaper are more subdued, with its pale blue tone creating a calm counterpoint to the bright green panelling.
Find out more about Hotel Les Deux Gares ›
Teorema Milanese, Italy, by Marcante-Testa
There’s a retro feel to the bedroom of this renovated Milanese apartment where design studio Marcante-Testa juxtaposed a variety of materials and colours. In the bedroom, a wallpaper with a geometric pattern sits next to sheer, polka dot curtains.
An orange night table from Meridiani adds a splash of colour, as does a blue border on the floor around the decorative herring-bone patterned floorboards.
Find out more about Teorema Milanese ›
Austin Proper Hotel and Residences, US, by Kelly Wearstler
A hotel in Downtown Austin, Texas, was given an interior design that revolves around local art and textiles. Designer Kelly Wearstler covered the walls throughout the hotel in eye-catching printed wallpapers, including a botanical wallpaper that was used in one of the restaurants.
Mid-century modern-style chairs and a delicate geometric lighting fixture complement the abundant floral patterns on the wall.
Find out more about Austin Proper ›
Cats’ Pink House, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio
A terrazzo-patterned wallpaper makes this guest bathroom in a Taiwanese holiday home feel both luxurious and playful at the same time.
The recessed sink has been painted in a pale pink hue that matches the terrazzo flecks of the wallpaper and picks up the pink colours of the rest of the flat.
Find out more about Cats’ Pink House ›
Chloe Hotel, US, by Sara Ruffin Costello
The Chloe Hotel in New Orleans’ picturesque Uptown neighbourhood has moody, dark colours in many of its rooms.
In the hotel’s restaurant, designer Sara Ruffin Costello eschewed the plain paint used elsewhere in favour of a dramatic blue wall with a pattern of Egret birds amongst tree branches.
Find out more about Chloe Hotel ›
Mrs and Mr Bateman, UK, by Selena Beaudry, Clemmie Myers and Natalie Tredgett
Printed wallpaper was used for both the walls and display plinths in this West London pop-up shop, informed by an eccentric fictional family.
The pattern has a vintage feel that is enhanced by the swirly psychedelic sculptures on the plinth and by London-based artist Margit Wittig’s Bateman 21st Century chandelier, which features colourful resin pieces.
Find out more about Mrs and Mr Bateman ›
Post House Inn, US, by Basic Projects
Floral-print wallpaper decorates the living area of this hotel room at boutique hotel Post House Inn in South Carolina. A rhomboid-patterned carpet and pillows decorated with a floral print create a playful mish-mash of patterns.
A comfortable lounge chair in a warm red velvet lends colour to the room and matches the red bedframe, while a wooden coffee table adds to the laidback vibe.
Find out more about Post House Inn ›
Apartment Filippo, UK, by Alexander Fehre
There’s an op art feel to the dining area in this small London flat, which Alexander Fehre renovated to make it feel more spacious. The black-and-white printed wallpaper contrasts against the tomato red sofas and table to create an intimate seating area in the white kitchen.
A copper kitchen lamp and oversized cabinet handles add to the almost childlike charm of this kitchen nook.
Find out more about Apartment Filippo ›
Lamorna, UK, by Charlie Luxton Design
When designer Charlie Luxton refurbished this bungalow in the Cotswalds, he decorated the children’s bedrooms with a jungle theme.
A tiger wallpaper extends out into the corridor and was chosen to “bring some life and fun and sunshine into that area of the house”. It matches an art print featuring a tiger in one of the rooms and creates a bright, fun hallway.
Find out more about Lamorna ›
Arcade by Calico Wallpaper and Workstead
Brooklyn studios Workstead and Calico Wallpaper teamed up to create this installation inside New York’s Arcade Bakery, which was also designed by Workstead. The abstract Relic wallpaper was used to decorate the bakery’s cosy alcoves and features a mixture of sheer tissue paper and metallic and matte elements.
Contrasted against the bakery’s marble floors and wooden panelling, the wallpaper adds a sunny splash of colour that is still in keeping with the historic 1929 building.
Find out more about Arcade ›
This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing peaceful bedrooms, calm living rooms and colourful kitchens.
