Hot find: Bold, bright murals inspired by design greats

Inspired by mid-century modernist greats such as Picasso and Le Corbusier, Wallrus is the latest kid on the mural block and it’s the work of Sydney-based graphic design duo Danielle De Andrade and Paul Garbett of Garbett Design. And in a sea of so much monochrome, the arrival of Wallrus certainly makes for a refreshing change on the design scene.

“For a long time architects and interior designers have steered away from colour and many still don’t consider using it at all. But as designers, our job is to challenge, and we believe colour and pattern are an essential part of life. Our murals are a window into the rabbit hole, a way to bring wonder and magic into the everyday,” says Danielle De Andrade.

The 'Blackrock' design — The ‘Blackrock’ design

The mural range is available online where you can customise it (literally any colour combo is available with the bespoke option) before having it printed directly onto vinyl or traditional wallpaper. The vinyl option can be easily installed and removed without damaging the wall surface and either option is amenable to DIY installation. Personally I think they are a perfect complement to a child’s room or a commercial space.

“Murals had their heyday during the middle of the 20th Century. The explosive colour, expressive shapes and abstract patterns were a joyous reinterpretation of the 13th Century Italian fresco. Murals are a key feature of some of the most iconic buildings of the 20th century,” says Paul Garbett. I can see the ghosts of Piet Mondrian and Joan Miro lingering in the Wallrus designs too.

Wallrus founders Danielle Andrade and Paul Garbett

Not shy of colour, Le Corbusier himself had a pet Schnauzer named Paintbrush and was one of the first modern architects to embrace the spectrum. In fact, he once said that “colour in architecture is as powerful as the plan and section” which is echoed by Paul. “Architects start with light and volume and the arrangement of spaces and when that is done, they add materials, pattern and colour to make a building humane. That’s where we come in,” says Paul.