Popp Goes the Wallpaper

By Marni Elyse Katz
January 19, 2010

Katja Behre

English designer Katja Behre describes her work as neo-romantic. Her delicate yet offbeat patterns of florals, birds, and ladies draw influence from nature, with strong references to the Victorian era and Art Nouveau period in decorative design.

Behre launched her design company Elli Popp in 2007, and has since produced three collections of wallpaper, with a fourth to debut later this year. Each collection includes repeat paper designs, as well as and stand alone mural options, plus matching cushion covers.There’s also a china tea set with 24-carat gold details and a prototype of a dress made from printed fabrics of the Foxy Flower design. Perhaps a clothing
line is not far behind?

We chatted with Behre to learn a bit more about her inspirations behind her work.

The Inside Source: How did you get started in design?

Katja Behre: I have a degree in color design. I've always had an interest in using color and design to affect the way we live. I believe a quaint setting equals wholesome living.

TIS: Who are your design idols and major influences?

KB: Wow, the list is endless! I can be influenced by anything from a lotus on an ancient Egyptian tomb to graffiti in the subway. Here are a few who have influenced my recent designs: William Morris, Romain de Tirtoff (Erté), Gustav Klimt.

TIS: What style is your home?

KB: Someone once called it a “Victorian greenhouse." It’s a little cabinet of curiosities full of plants and flowers and vintage decorative elements I’ve collected, including vases, tin boxes, frames with old photographs of my family, lace, hats, and furniture.

Elli Popp Ballet Bower Wallpaper

TIS: What colors and color combinations are you loving right now?

KB: In fashion, I like the classical combination of black, red, and white, as well as petrol blues with purple and mustard. (I have always loved to be a bright, colorful, pirate bird.) When it comes to interiors, I am into off colors with a lot of grey in them, like those found in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras, as well as whites and off whites going into sliver, plus strong vibrant colors with a highly contrasted pattern.

TIS: What are your latest projects?

KB: I like to work with a mix of clients, from larger, up market ones to small local ones. The latest wallpaper project was with Schlosshotel in Brig, Switzerland, an up-market hotel with individually designed rooms. I am also working on a large hotel in the Far East as well as a local fashion retailer "Traffic People," which has opened their fourth shop in the UK in the past few months. Future projects include a collaboration with a London based upholstery company "Urban Upholstery.”

TIS: What are your favorite spots or sources for inspiration?

KB: Inspiration is all around me. It might be when I’m going down the road to get the newspaper and I see a lady passing with an inspiring skirt. In wintertime, my favorite places are museums, galleries and bookstores. In spring and summer, I’m drawn to the lovely London front gardens and parks.

Elli Popp Dede Wallpaper

TIS: What are you favorite shops or hunting grounds for treasures?

KB: Vintage and antique shops as well as vintage fairs, flea markets, and car boot sales. Design fairs are a great place to find inspiration too, though I feel it’s best to find inspiration away from the contemporary design world; better to hunt around in general life.

TIS: Where would you love to see your wallpaper?

KB: I’d love to work with more boutique hotels, and at Coco Chanel’s residence, if she
were still alive.