Meet the Showroom: Zuber
The French heritage wallcovering brand’s new showroom excites and delights
When it acquired Zuber in 2023, La Maison Pierre Frey acquired a piece of decorating history. Founded in Rixheim, France, in 1797, Zuber is the longest standing manufacturer of block-printed wallpapers in the world, and its exuberant panoramic scenes and embossed wallcoverings can be found everywhere from The White House to Venetian palazzi to grand private homes. A new showroom in Design Centre East – steps away from Pierre Frey – also showcases the work of another heritage French brand, Mauny, with wallpapers ranging from the early 19th century to the early 20th century. Zuber’s director, Sébastien Paillard, explains more below about why you should visit the showroom in person, and the one design he regards as a true ‘hero’ piece of the collections.
What brought Zuber to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour?
After Zuber became part of La Maison Pierre Frey, it made sense for it to relocate closer to its other brands. The Design Centre also attracts a clientele with a strong focus on interior design, offering significant opportunities for the showrooms situated there.
What should we expect from the showroom?
We’ve preserved the essence of Zuber with its iconic historical panoramas and a nod to our traditional block printing methods. It features 15 of the historic panoramas that have cemented Zuber’s worldwide fame over the centuries, including ‘Décor Chinois’, an exotic fresco created in 1832, where plants and animals intertwine across several panels of wallpaper. Flanking the fireplace, the dense and austere ‘Forêt des Ardennes’ panorama provides a striking contrast, showcasing the diversity of Zuber’s creations, while the joyful, repetitive patterns of Mauny’s ‘Les Perroquets’, dating back to 1914, serve as a subtle link between these distinct artistic worlds.
Why should people visit in person as opposed to looking/buying online?
While the panoramas are stunning in pictures, nothing compares to seeing them in person! Experiencing the colours first-hand and truly appreciating the craftsmanship involved is invaluable: Zuber offers artisanal products that feature beautifully imperfect details, making each item unique.
What’s Zuber’s design philosophy?
I would say Zuber’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in its rich heritage and craftsmanship. But it is also about innovation. From repetitive patterns to panoramas, since 1797, the evolution of designs, materials and techniques has always adapted to changing trends and customer demands. Jean Zuber was a man of his time in every way: creatively (collaborating with renowned designers), technologically (mechanical printing) and socially (establishing childcare centres, holiday programmes, mutual insurance plans, etc).
Is there a ‘hero’ product that encapsulates your brand, or that’s been a long-standing bestseller?
While ‘The Views of North America’ is often highlighted for its iconic placement in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Zuber’s true bestseller is actually ‘L’Eldorado’ [detail pictured above]. This more contemporary panoramic – one of the last created – was commissioned by Jean Zuber, a passionate botanist who had a greenhouse in his garden. The designers crafted an immersive world where the viewer is not just observing the wallpaper but becomes part of it. It’s a magical, mesmerising, and strikingly modern design for its time, and it’s still incredibly popular today.
How do you keep Zuber’s collections relevant for contemporary interior designers?
We maintain relevance through two key approaches: first, Zuber offers a broad range of both classic and contemporary designs, enriched by contributions from various artists. Additionally, a digital department allows us to produce luxurious panoramic wallpapers with cutting-edge technology, adapting to specific needs. In the spirit of innovation, the Pierre Frey creative studio and Patrick Frey will continue this philosophy by introducing new collections that combine historic printing techniques, unique craftsmanship and contemporary designs.
What craftsmanship or innovation goes into your products?
Zuber is the last remaining manufacturer in the world that still produces panoramic decor using traditional block printing techniques. Since 1797, all of our production has taken place in Rixheim, a location that never fails to captivate our clients! I would also highlight that Zuber’s famous iridescent backgrounds are brushed by hand.
We recently uncovered a treasure trove of 150,000 woodblocks in our cellar, of which we currently use only 15,000. It will take us several years to fully explore and reveal the rest of this incredible archive. These blocks were crafted on-site at Zuber, long before the advent of machinery. At its peak, Zuber employed around 450 people. Creating a new panoramic wallpaper was a monumental task, requiring nearly 200 individuals and more than three years of work.
Is there anything else you’d like the Design Centre’s community know about your brand?
Zuber is still a “new baby” for Maison Pierre Frey. Patrick Frey and his design studio team are currently working on its creative future, but we can’t reveal too much just yet…for now!