Polished nail designs inspired by our May issue

Two photos next to each other. The photo on the left is a three-bedroom house designed by HK Associates rendered in dark grey concrete, with overhangs, sheltered balconies and deep windows protecting it from the strong desert sunlight. The photo on the right is a hand with nail art in a dark grey and light grey style.

House designed by HK Associates, as featured in the May 2020 Issue of Wallpaper*.

(Image credit: Ema Peter)

last updated 28 July 2022

The May 2020 Issue of Wallpaper* centres around Art, Architecture & Escape and, in keeping with the escapism theme, we asked the team at New York’s Paintbox salon to create nail designs inspired by the issue.

Their nail art pays homage to the range of multi-disciplinary stories within the Wallpaper* pages – from the rainbow waves of Julio Le Parc’s artwork to the cool-hued geometries of Arizona architecture and the pastel decadence of 80’s inspired jewels.

With the right supplies, and a steady hand, the designs can be recreated at home. Or you can download a free copy of the May issue here and flick through its digital pages to inspire your own digit designs.

Rainbow warrior

Artist Julio Le Parc is still making waves and inspiring these stripy nails.

Julio Le Parc, photographed in his studio in Cachan in February 2020, with artworks from his Surface-couleur series. Photo of a hand with nail art in the style of red, white and blue waves.

Blitz Spirit

No-rules jewels take centre stage alongside these sparkled pastel nails

The photo on the left shows two young professionals wearing blazers, one wearing a black blazer and one wearing a pink blazer. Both males are wearing necklaces, rings and brooches. The photo on the right shows a hand with light pink nail art as a base colour and a black splash on each nail. — Neo wears ‘Grecian’ vermeil chain; ‘Zena’ vermeil chain, £189, both by Hermina Athens. ‘Rose de Noël’ white mother-of-pearl and gold broochwith diamonds, by Van Cleef & Arpels. 18ct gold badge, £2,060, by Bunney. Gold ring with black diamond, by Ara Vartanian. Large ‘Rose de Noël’ mother-of-pearl and gold brooch with diamonds; small ‘Rose de Noël’ gold brooch with white mother-of-pearl, both by Van Cleef & Arpels. 18ct gold badge; ‘St Christopher’ 18ct gold signet ring; ‘Hammered Signet’ 18ct gold ring (both worn on pins as brooches), all by Bunney. Jacket, by Raf Simons. Pascal wears ‘L’Esprit du Lion’ gold earring with yellow beryl and diamonds, by Chanel Fine Jewellery. Vermeil chain, by Bjørg. ‘Bulgari Bulgari Gelati’ gold brooch with onyx and diamonds; ‘Serpenti’ gold ring with diamonds and emeralds, both by Bulgari. ‘Le 13g’ gold ring; ‘Le 45g’ gold bracelet, both by Le Gramme Jacket, by Paul Smith.

Hard rock

Embedded in the desert landscape of Arizona, a rugged concrete house prioritises shelter and chic, next to blue swirling nails inspired by arid night skies

Perfect Form

Sinewy lines and strong shapes define this season’s tailored looks and the monocramatic geometries of these nails

Two images of a boy picking up bookends in a black background, black nails painted with white geometric shapes — Coat and trousers, both by Dolce & Gabbana. Shoes, by Dries Van Noten. ‘Swirl’ bookends, by Tom Dixon.

Higher calling

For uplifting interior inspiration (and nail design), we've got our heads in the clouds

Two rugs hanging in the sky, next to nails painted with blue and white stripes — ‘Cloud 5’ rug; ‘Cloud 7’ rug, both by Jan Kath.

INFORMATION

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Mary Cleary is a writer based in London and New York. Previously beauty & grooming editor at Wallpaper*, she is now a contributing editor, alongside writing for various publications on all aspects of culture.