Cover A portrait of Claud Gurney with de Gournay luxury wallpapers, from his visit to the Elements Fine Furnishing Fabrics showroom in Manila
A portrait of Claud Gurney with de Gournay luxury wallpapers, from his visit to the Elements Fine Furnishing Fabrics showroom in Manila
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With decades of experience in honing de Gournay’s timeless crafts, Claud Cecil Gurney methodically demonstrates how luxury hand-painted wallpapers have their rightful place in the modern world
Perhaps more than any other time in history, the 21st century is known for its rapid pace of development. Claud Cecil Gurney, however, ignores this when creating the world’s most exquisite wallcoverings; rather, he dedicates more time to that level of excellence his creations have always been known for.
Gurney’s personality shines through his charming, detailed and sophisticated hand-painted chinoiserie, which has adorned walls in palaces and Fifth Avenue penthouses. We met him during the unveiling of de Gournay’s wallpaper, “Latina Manila”, created by Jonathan Matti at Malacañan Palace. While being prepped to be photographed, he shares anecdotes and amuses us with his humour. For instance: “I forgot to wear socks, please make sure you don’t show that.”
Since its founding in 1986, de Gournay wallpapers have provided a window into the artistic pursuits of a bygone era. Blending elements of ancient Chinese art with contemporary British sensibilities, each stunning wallcovering portrays scenes of nature, historic murals and a wide variety of imaginative scenes with exceptional attention to detail.
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Above A portrait of Claud Gurney with De Gournay luxury wallpapers, from his visit to the Elements Fine Furnishing Fabrics showroom in Manila
A portrait of Claud Gurney with De Gournay luxury wallpapers, from his visit to the Elements Fine Furnishing Fabrics showroom in Manila
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Gurney’s lifelong passion for art began in his youth when his mother took him to the opera and various auctions around the world. There, he received an early education in different forms of self-expression, especially enjoying the drama of each auction. “Auction sales are done online now, so you don’t know what you’re buying, and you don’t have the camaraderie. The fun is gone,” he lamented. Still, he looks back on this period of his life with fondness, claiming that the more he learned about the artists’ processes and appreciated their execution, the more he yearned for more.
This enthusiasm led him to his first trip to the Philippines, where he discovered craftsmen who were committed to making chessboards from kamagong and narra wood. The resulting pieces were among his first exports from the country, igniting his fascination with the craftsmanship that would last through time.
Although he eventually qualified as a chartered accountant, Gurney never lost his passion for design. He travelled to China in search of antique chinoiserie wallpaper for his London home, but was disappointed by the complete lack of artisans dedicated to this particular craft. China’s political climate prevented them from pursuing and passing on such skills, a loss that became a business opportunity in the capable hands of Gurney and his nephew, Dominic Evans-Freke.
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Above Scenes of Philippine culture for the Latina Manila hand-painted wallpaper panel by De Gournay
Scenes of Philippine culture for the Latina Manila hand-painted wallpaper panel by De Gournay
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After about a decade of behind-the-scenes fine- tuning, De Gournay’s handpainted wallpaper began to attract recognition. The artisans who had spent their time creating decorative kites and scrolls learnt to scale up their talents, both physically and conceptually, taking on a design story more suitable to European homeowners and designers of the late 20th century.
From the beginning, De Gournay established a distinctive approach to the creation process that can be summarised in two words: “spirit resonance”. “When something is handpainted, you’re not looking at the actual piece,” mused Gurney. “You’re looking at the thing through the mind and spirit of an artist who has dreamt it, thought of it and produced it.”
Each De Gournay artisan would have a different impression of the same tree in a garden: each shaped by their own perceptions, memories and moods; each distilled into their unique output. This human touch cannot be replicated by technology; it can only be realised by artisans in each new project.
De Gournay proudly upholds this prized approach today, eschewing digital printing that others have adopted in the name of cutting costs and saving time. “True luxury is found in using natural, organic materials,” he said. At most, De Gournay’s silk wallpapers can be used in powder rooms, thanks to the cocoon material’s flexibility in adapting to a wider range of environments. However, the use of plastic and other materials is strictly off-limits, as the brand remains committed to a slow, collaborative process with each client.
Above Created alongside Filipino designer Johathan Matti, this is the Latina Manila hand-painted wallpaper panel by De Gournay (Photo: Martin Garcia Perez)
Above A portrait of Claud Gurney with De Gournay luxury wallpapers, from his visit to the Elements Fine Furnishing Fabrics showroom in Manila
Created alongside Filipino designer Johathan Matti, this is the Latina Manila hand-painted wallpaper panel by De Gournay (Photo: Martin Garcia Perez)
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Despite the trend towards more minimalistic, neutral palettes, Gurney still encourages homeowners to explore colour. In his own Croatian home, Gurney enjoys layering various shades of green inspired by nature with his verdant wallpapers and sculptural furniture pieces. “Nature always seems to add some lovely colour among the green,” he shares. “That little burst of colour [from red and yellow flowers] completes the room and enhances its atmosphere.”
Ultimately, the goal of each De Gournay wallpaper is to create and sustain an environment that transforms every room into an otherworldly experience. The De Gournay artisans possess extensive, innovative skills grounded in ancient techniques, ensuring that ideas ranging from 19th-century French scenic designs to explorations of Art Nouveau and Art Deco are beautifully realised.
For homeowners and guests who take the time to appreciate such craftsmanship, playful details will emerge. Perhaps one vibrant sparrow flits about in the air, evoking images of childlike wonder. Meanwhile, another bird, painted when the artist was in a more reflective mood, stands pensively on a branch. Every element woven into De Gournay’s masterpiece serves as a reminder to live with intention and explore the gifts of nature that are offered for daily celebration.
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Credits
Photography: Jan Mayo
Production: Michelle Soriano
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
