Making his mark
David Oliver, the designer behind Paint & Paper Library, discusses his new venture: a range of wallpapers and printed textiles for the American company Schumacher
On his Instagram account, David Oliver describes himself as a 'rock star of colour', 'crown prince of paint' and 'the Indiana Jones of home decor'. As the co-founder of the Paint & Paper Library, which opened in 1996, these monikers don't just hint at David's professional achievements and passions - they also capture his infectious enthusiasm and playful attitude.
Having moved from Sydney to London in 1992 with a fine-art degree, he recalls finding it difficult to sell his artwork in a recession-hit Britain. 'But I had an eye for colour, so on my mother-in-law's advice I decided to sell paint rather than paintings,' he says. Soon, with their contemporary paints and wallpapers, David and his now ex-wife Sophie Grattan Bellew were 'riding the Changing Rooms market as London property prices started skyrocketing'. The rest, as they say, is history. Although the brand was sold to Little Greene last year, he still owns the Paint & Paper Library shop on Elystan Street, where the range and his own bespoke colour mixes are sold.
But the space is also evolving into a showcase for the David Oliver __design Studio. Part of this is a range of 11 wallpapers and three fabric prints for American company Schumacher. The display of these in the shop reflects another of David's passions - travel. 'I'm never happier than when on a plane to somewhere new,' he says. The patterns - some naive markings, others geometric - are inspired by tribal communities he's visited. The two-tone palette is drawn from landscapes he has encountered and has been enchanted by. 'New frontiers inspire me. I like going to the desert and seeing an electrical pylon.' In the Schumacher collection, this is shown in the way motifs have been 'marshalled into a smart city stripe'.
David has also rediscovered his love of photography, and his images have appeared in magazines including House & Garden. There is also a deal with Rizzoli to photograph the projects of his partner, the interior designer Veere Grenney. I wonder if his Instagram will soon be updated. 'Wizard of wallpaper'? 'Photography ninja'? I'm sure he'll think of something.
David's designs for Schumacher are available from Turnell & Gigon.
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