Cole & Son presents a new collection of Fornasetti wallpapers

Milanese artist Piero Fornasetti was a jack of many trades: painter, sculptor, interior decorator and engraver - and the rare master of all. These days it is his son Barnaba who faithfully maintains the legacy of the prolific designer, who would have turned 100 years old this year. British wallpaper crafters Cole and Son are marking the occasion by opening the door to Fornasetti's whimsical world once again with a new offering of prints.
Launched at this year's Maison et Objet fair, Fornasetti II includes quirky patterns incorporating saucer-eyed owls, clouds, flying machines, monkeys and classical architectural details - many of which appear for the first time in new colourways. A series of trompe-l'oeils are also amongst the ever-eccentric motifs resurrected from the designer's archives, which can be used both vertically and horizontally.
'Procuratie' (left) is based on the classical arches on the façades of St Marks Square in Venice; 'Pennini' features an assortment of old-fashioned pen nibs in burnished metallics
'Magia Domestica' creates the illusion of a world within a world, with its suit of armour, bookcases, open door and drawn curtains
Clownfish appeared in some of Fornasetti's earliest work and are revived here in 'Acquario' against a soft-wash charcoal background
Designed to be hung horizontally along the bottom of a wall, 'Balaustra' creates a trompe-l'oeil effect of a stone balustrade
'Promenade' features umbrellas, riding whips and walking sticks collected by Piero Fornasetti
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
All-In is the Paris-based label making full-force fashion for main character dressing
Part of our monthly Uprising series, Wallpaper* meets Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø of All-In, the LVMH Prize-nominated label which bases its collections on a riotous cast of characters – real and imagined
By Orla Brennan
-
Maserati joins forces with Giorgetti for a turbo-charged relationship
Announcing their marriage during Milan Design Week, the brands unveiled a collection, a car and a long term commitment
By Hugo Macdonald
-
Through an innovative new training program, Poltrona Frau aims to safeguard Italian craft
The heritage furniture manufacturer is training a new generation of leather artisans
By Cristina Kiran Piotti
-
Our highlights from Paris Design Week 2025
Wallpaper*’s Head of Interiors, Olly Mason, joined the throngs of industry insiders attending the week’s events; here’s what she saw (and liked) at Paris Déco Off and Maison&Objet in the City
By Anna Solomon
-
Pig intestines, plant roots and Balinese river plastic – young designers get inventive at Maison & Objet
At the September 2024 Maison & Objet, a cohort of younger designers exploring new materials brought an optimistic edge to the commercial fairground
By Anna Sansom
-
Super Pacific: Maison et Objet announce Rising Asian Talents winners
By Sujata Burman