Drawing inspiration from the architectural beauty of Southern Spain, this new collaboration collection celebrates the harmonious balance between tradition and modernity. It features four small-scale wallpapers and three versatile borders, all crafted in a refined palette that complements Birdie’s signature hues. These designs offer a fresh yet classic touch, perfect for enhancing any interior. 

How would you describe Dado Atelier’s design philosophy?

We’re dedicated to beautiful design and the people that make it. Part collaborative of creatives and part curator and editor, we make exceptional wallpaper collections with authenticity at their core.

We pride ourselves on being a brand with a collaborative spirit, for us that means working with accomplished creatives from the worlds of interiors, fashion, fine-art, photography and print-making, each carefully chosen for their affinity with Dado’s passion for colour, pattern and craftsmanship. Every wallpaper across our collections tells the story of its origin and maker, giving the creatives we work with a platform to be proud of. We also believe that design should be diverse, and so our collaborators join us from all fields and backgrounds, guaranteeing Dado’s collections are always unique.

What role do wallpapers and borders play in shaping an interior?

Wallpapers are an ideal option to help elevate a room, adding texture and intrigue to walls and ceilings in a way that cannot be emulated by paint alone. Choose a small-scale pattern to create a backdrop for layering artwork and creating texture, or choose a larger scale repeat to create a focal point in a room. Picking up complementary or contrasting accents in a paper can be a perfect way to curate a colour palette for a scheme.

Borders are a perfect way to create added intrigue to plain walls, placed under a cornice, above a skirting or doubled up in corners and around window frames. For a more layered scheme, they can frame a wall by being paired with patterned wallpapers of similar or contrasting colours. The versatility of borders creates a truly timeless look for an abundance of interior decorating styles.

What are some of the most exciting ways you've seen Dado Atelier wallpapers (or any wallpaper) used in projects?

We loved the use of our chocolate and red Madder colourway of our ‘Floral Ogee’ wallpaper, in a lively and layered bedroom in Manhattan, photographed for Architectural Digest. Our cheerful blockprint-inspired ‘Bindi Flower’ was used in a universally adored child’s bedroom by influencer Kate Spiers, and our Studio HÁM collection has been used by HÁM interiors across projects internationally. Outside of the home, our “La Villette” wallpaper is used in a popular womanswear brand stores worldwide and our wallpapers in collaboration with Jo De Pear decorate boutique hotels in Antigua. We love to see how our wallpapers have been used in a variety of settings and in experimental ways, such as on ceilings or in unique settings.

What advice would you give to someone looking to introduce wallpaper into their home for the first time?

Be brave and go for it! Patterned walls have a unique way of pulling rooms together and make everything work. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything all at once, rooms are always evolving. 

What’s a common mistake people make when choosing wallpaper, and how can they avoid it?

No matter how much you like a wallpaper design, you have to consider whether it is suitable for a space, e.g. you may love a pattern with a dark background, but do you really want it in your light filled kitchen? For this style, perhaps a hallway or downstairs loo would be more suitable. 

Sustainability is an important topic in interiors - how does Dado Atelier incorporate sustainable practices?

We’re committed to being an ethical business, and that means working hard to ensure that our sustainability efforts aren't merely superficial. Our wallpapers are strictly printed to order in the UK to minimise waste, using high-grade, non-woven paper grounds made using environmentally-friendly, water-based inks. Naturally, they’ll reach you wrapped in recycled packaging too.

Additionally, as part of our involvement in the Just One Tree initiative, we’ve been able to start to plant trees, helping to remove CO2 from the Earth’s atmosphere - a small but mighty start for our growing brand.

What makes a design or artist the right fit for a Dado Atelier collaboration?

We are drawn to brands and artisans with a strong visual identity, and work closely with them to help translate this into usable wallpapers that stay authentic to them. Birdie Fortescue is a dream collaboration for us, as she has such a defined palette and timeless style that translates so beautifully into a wallpaper collaboration.

What trends are you seeing in wallpaper design, and how do collaborations help shape them?

Small-scale print designs have come to the fore in the last few seasons. We adore how these designs stand out on their own, but also create a perfect look for layering with artwork, mirrors and shelves. They look great in both smaller and larger spaces and are especially suited to vaulted ceilings for a true all-over effect. Many of the smaller scale prints are craft-inspired designs, including florals in simple earth-toned colour palettes.

And - of course - borders have really made a comeback! We are delighted to introduce our first collection of borders in collaboration with Birdie Fortescue. 

Your favourite Birdie Fortescue piece?

I adore the painted bookshelf. We have two in green in our Madeaux London showroom, we love them! They are practical and elegant.

If you had to describe your personal interior style in three words, what would they be?

Eclectic, curated and decorative! Although my own style is very much informed by my work, I treat my home as a bit of a laboratory to see how patterns, colour and scale work in a domestic environment.

Explore the stunning new collaboration collection here.

Find out more about Dado Atelier, and explore more of their collections, click here.