Le Monde Sauvage Wallpaper

From small knick-knacks collected in countless bazaars during month-long trips to Asia, to becoming an established creator of fine textiles and wallpaper, the story of “Le Monde Sauvage” spans over 5 fascinating decades.

A family business founded in 1970

“Le Monde Sauvage” came to life as a result of the passion for travel of the parents of Béatrice Laval, the current owner and business manager. Having criss-crossed the entire continent of Asia countless times, Béatrice’s father opened a shop in Paris, initially selling fur and other small handicrafts. At the time, the shop resembled a flea market more than a company.

Its origins as an importer of exotic handicrafts for the French market

At the beginning of the long journey that brought the brand to where it is today was the desire to bring products and techniques to the French market that the local population had never encountered before. All the merchandise Béatrice’s father brought back from the Asian continent was hand-made and encompassed all sorts of handicrafts, from candles to small furniture pieces to paperware.

Transitioning from importing to creating textiles

As the 1990s arrived, the timeless exoticism of the previous decades was giving way to the relentless process of industrialisation transforming Asia into a manufacturing behemoth. Authenticity in craftsmanship was becoming harder to find, and the concept of bringing back a piece of Asian culture became a pointless exercise because the authenticity of the objects was no longer given. “Le Monde Sauvage” had to rethink the story, switching to creating objects instead of finding them, moving to fabric as the main line of the brand.

The roots behind the name “Le Monde Sauvage”

The name “Le Monde Sauvage”, literally “the wild world”, came initially as a means to represent the exoticism of Asia, a culture that back in the 1970 felt incredibly different from Europe and the Western world. Over time it also came to symbolise the idea of ​​the contrast of the interior with the “wild world” of the exterior, the company’s textiles acting as a shield to protect us with their cosiness against the outside world.

Having taken on the reigns of the company from her parents, Béatrice Laval is currently the driving force behind “Le Monde Sauvage”, overseeing the business while retaining a strong influence on creative decisions.

A true Parisian mother and manager

A proud Parisian, residing in the hip district of Haut-Marais amongst buzzing eateries, art galleries and shops, Béatrice Laval lives a busy life, raising three daughters, managing all business and creative affairs of the family brand “Le Monde Sauvage”, and extensively travelling across the world for both enjoyment and work.

An architect with a passion for colours

Having received architectural training during her formative years, Béatrice’s eyes have always been very attuned to detecting interesting colour combinations and playing with them in interior design. As soon as she took control of the brand, she renewed its image, getting involved in the design and development of the products and patterns, mixing colours and playing with the chromatic scale to create motifs that were innovative while still in line with the company’s DNA.

A lifelong love for travel

Like for her parents before her, travel is a vital source of inspiration for Béatrice. Her fascination with the way colours are used in India can be seen in many of the patterns she developed, a testament to her numerous visits to Jaipur and other parts of the subcontinent. Over the years, her travels have taken her to Africa and America, further broadening the cultural reach of her interests.

Following the company’s motto “Modern Art and Nomadism”, all wall décor produced by “Le Monde Sauvage” features a fascinating blend of traditional Asian, African and Latin American ethnic prints and structures with modern graphics.

Indian craftmanship

It is no surprise that Indian traditional printing styles, colours and textiles feature heavily in the selection of wallpapers produced by “Le Monde Sauvage”. The subcontinent is, after all, the place where the origins of the company can be traced to. India’s long tradition in textile craftmanship is stunningly modernised by Béatrice’s vision, bringing its unique style and vivid colours to the West.

Ethnic motifs from Africa and the America

Over time, a globetrotting lifestyle and the desire to further expand the company vision led to the search for inspiration beyond Asia. The current wallpaper sets created by “Le Monde Sauvage” draw from ethnic patterns originating from countries as diverse as Mexico, Guatemala and many African countries. These motifs are not simply re-produced, but re-interpreted, exuding a unique charm, with enchanting colours and a refined patina look.

Her daughters’ influences on the design of graphic patterns

Having to raise three daughters of different ages while taking the helm of the company’s fortune had a strong impact on Béatrice and inspired to widen her horizons even further to incorporate her children’s perspective into “Le Monde Sauvage” patterns. The concept is bringing children's furniture and ideas into the living room, introducing them to spaces that are normally reserved for adults.

A refusal to bend to conventions when it comes to source materials and motifs, and a love for all things handmade is the secret that makes each individual sheet of their sets a unique work of art.

Individual sheets provide freedom of expression

An artisan approach to manufacturing, an unconventional way of designing, and the belief that you should be free to create a unique mosaic on the walls that reflects your personality – these components are at the very centre of the company’s unique approach to wallpaper: rather than on a roll, each wallpaper model comes in a set of 12 rectangular sheets.

An experimental puzzle for creative minds

No instruction is given, there is no “right” way to install them. The sheets of each set of “Le Monde Sauvage” wall décor can be arranged in any number of variations, vertically or horizontally. They can create a continuous area of about 4 square metres or set one by one as eye-catching individual highlights. Think of a creative puzzle where the end result is up to your taste and imagination!

An unconventional use of graphic geometric patterns

The subversive approach of “Le Monde Sauvage” extends to their use of geometric patterns. Rather than relying on conventional motifs with straight lines, as one is used to expect, the artistic director prefers graphic elements which derive from indigenous patterns and often follow very clear and distinct rules. The irregular diamond-shapes of “Yamantaka” or the captivating black triangles of “Gocha Black” are testament to this approach.

The production of wallpaper sheets at “Le Monde Sauvage” is unique. All models are hand-printed using the ancient Indonesian Batik block technique, using beeswax to generate mesmerising patterns and motifs.

The traditional Batik technique

What is the secret behind the imaginative patterns and motifs featured on “Le Monde Sauvage” wallpaper models? They look so original and artisan because they are based on an ancient wax-resist textile dyeing tradition. Originally developed on the emerald island of Java in Indonesia, the batik technique has been around for well over a thousand years and is recognised as “heritage of humanity” by UNESCO.

Layering wax on a paper surface

The traditional batik block technique is based on individual hand-carved wooden blocks. These are dipped into beeswax and pushed onto the paper surface to create the pattern profile in wax. Paint is then applied to the paper. The wax-treated areas will not absorb the paint and, once the wax is removed, a single colour pattern is produced. To create multi-colours patterns, it is necessary to repeat this process many times.

Centuries-old artisan manufacturing technique with wooden blocks

Unlike other batik manufacturers relying on copper blocks, “Le Monde Sauvage” creates all wallpapers by first hand-carving the desired motif - often a geometric pattern like the celebrated black triangle. This technique usually involves small irregularities, which, far from being a defect, are instead a signature of their authenticity and charm.

Like all hand-painted, artisan products, wallpapers from “Le Monde Sauvage” require a bit more care than standard industrial rolls, particularly due to their low resistance to humidity and to direct sun light.

Installing each sheet requires attention

Unlike most wallpaper models, “Le Monde Sauvage” provides individual, pre-cut sheets in a set of 12, each about 50 x 70 cm, covering an area of about 4 square meters. As they can be arranged in different ways, it is important to try out different constellations and arrangements on a clean surface to get a sense of how they will look once installed. Proceed with care, as adhesive and humidity can cause damage, and keep in mind that the paint on each sheet can "bleed" and stain. It’s therefore a good idea to wear protective gloves when installing the individual sheets.

Limited sun resistance that can enhance its appeal

Being exposed to the relentless force of sun rays can cause discolouration in most wallpapers that don’t come with a special seal of quality that confirms the ability to withstand it. The artisan wallpaper sets produced by “Le Monde Sauvage” cannot match the light-resistant qualities of industrially manufactured wallpapers. However, this is not necessarily negative, as subtle fading in places can actually emphasise their visual appeal, adding to their gorgeous Shabby Chic nature.

Not suitable for wet rooms

The beautiful sheets individually produced by Le Monde Sauvage have a delicate surface, their batik prints providing a wonderful shine. This is the result of a centuries-old technique that can only be performed on paper-based surfaces. As a result, this wall décor is neither washable nor scrubbable. As water vapour or droplets would damage its delicate surface, it is not suitable for wet rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens.