Black Crow Studios is a custom wallpaper company that pushes the traditional idea of wallpaper into the realm of art. The company offers a selection of artistic wallpapers by the roll and as custom wall murals.
Recently custom wallpaper designer Tracy Hiner of Black Crow Studios joined forces with lifestyle photographer Gray Malin to create a new signature collection of designer wallpapers inspired by Malin’s A la Plage series of photographs. Shot from a high vantage point while leaning out of helicopters, Malin’s overhead perspectives of beaches, resorts and destinations from around the globe provided myriad inspiration for the collection of brightly-colored wallcoverings.
Beachscapes from Portugal, Dubai, and Africa are interpreted into photorealistic scenes, while shapes and colors inspired by beachgoers and their umbrellas in St. Tropez, Kauai, Sydney, the Hamptons and Miami’s South Beach are translated into patterns and stripes that are at once traditional and fresh.
A sunny palette of watery blues, bright corals, sea greens, and crisp whites all layered on top of beach sand imparts a bright, summery feel to the collection.The Gray Malin XO Black Crow Studios collection debuted earlier this summer.
Black Crow Studios has previously collaborated with other artists to create large-scale watercolor images and custom wall murals. But this was the first time the studio had developed a line of wallpapers from a photographer’s work.
“Working with Gray was a no-brainer. I have been a fan of his work and of Gray as a person for a long time,” says Hiner. “His photography makes for stunning wallcovering and his take on translating different patterns found on beaches all around the world into graphic designs is brilliant.”
“Shooting beaches across six continents I have found umbrellas to be universal and a staple of any beach scene. Their array of organic patterns, lines, shapes and colors influenced the creation of the collection,” says Malin. “Working with wallpaper as a medium allows me to share my images on a larger scale to collectors who can now display them on an entire wall in their home, or even in a whole room.”
“Designers and design consumers alike will see value in this creative collaboration of Gray’s style and vision teamed up with Tracy’s expertise and reputation for excellence in the industry,” adds Zak Graff, director of Ensemble ZKG, a consulting agency for creative professionals. “It has been exciting to see this collection come to life.”
Ensemble ZKG provides product development, licensing and brand management services for creative professionals in the home decor, interior design and manufacturing industries. Inspired by groups of artists and performers – musicians, actors, dancers – breathing, moving and playing together, Ensemble is built on the idea that creative partners become something else entirely when they combine efforts in a united performance.
LINKS