Hanna Wendelbo wallpaper

For over two decades, I have been sketching and designing patterns that eventually find their way onto walls across the country. Almost always inspired by nature and my delightful garden.

I am one of the few who still brings patterns to life in the traditional way.

I enjoy sketching out my pattern ideas with paper and pen. I think so well when the design evolves across the paper. It’s as if that’s when all the patterns truly come to life, and I can start visualizing them on the walls of a home. A cozy home, with the scent of both coffee and freshly baked cinnamon buns.

– Hanna Wendelbo

All Hanna’s patterns

Designing a Wallpaper Collection

My Sketching Process

I almost always start by sketching out my patterns on post-it notes to find a good rhythm.

The process of sketching the Marguerite design followed the same method. The idea that I quickly jot down on post-it notes is imported into the computer to ensure that the pattern repeat feels right on a larger scale.

Afterward, I print out a rough sketch to scale, which I then clean up and add color to, ultimately becoming the real original for the design.

Choosing Colors for Wallpaper

When choosing wallpaper for interior design, 80% of the decision is typically based on the color of the wallpaper. The remaining 20% lies in the pattern. It’s not surprising that as a wallpaper designer, one can sometimes feel a bit apprehensive when it comes to the stage of coloring a wallpaper collection.

Before the coloring process can begin, each pattern must be separated, meaning each individual color is isolated and placed on its own layer. These different layers are then transferred onto separate rolls, and the process of coloring begins.

At the printer, there is a paper printout where each individual color can be seen. Trust me, sometimes it can be a real mystery when you’re there tweaking the colors and still not getting it right!

I start with my printouts and then try to match the colors on the actual printed wallpaper. After 2-3 adjustments, it usually falls into place.

Final Result

I always feel equally proud and warmed inside when I see someone choose to put up my design in their home.

That moment when the feeling rushes through the body, ‘yes, that’s it,’ is equally fantastic every time, even though I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. A collection typically includes around 30 items, so there are several times I get to experience that feeling.