In conversation with Robin Pieterse: How the beauty of the natural world inspired her wallpaper patterns

We're so happy to be chatting with our newest collaborator, Robin Pieterse. Based in the Netherlands, Robin is an artist and pattern designer whose passion lies in painting scenes that capture landscapes, family life, and nostalgia. Her wallpaper patterns for Hygge & West draw inspiration from the beauty of the natural world, and we couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out. Read on to learn more about Robin and her delightful wallpaper collection. 

Tell us a bit about your background?

I come from a wildly creative family and everyone was always working on something beautiful, and for me, that has always remained a constant in my life. In childhood, I was never not drawing and loved it, so I ended up studying fine art and illustration and have since continued developing my artistic voice. Nowadays, I'm so grateful that I get to work on my art full time. It has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done!

How would you describe your artistic style/aesthetic?

I would describe my style as a whimsical take on old-world charm and the nostalgic memories of childhood and foregone times. I love traditional and decorative arts, and expressing a modern take on these aesthetics.

Tell us about where you live and how it influences your work.

In 2019 just before the pandemic hit, we moved away from the big city and that has been one of the best things we have ever done for our family and for my creativity. Living a simpler life and being closer to nature nature has given me a fresh perspective and renewed inspiration!

What was your design process like these patterns?

Walking around my neighborhood and seeing all the new blooms emerge in springtime, I started envisioning different plants together in simplified shapes. I spent a lot of time sketching and practicing everything I had learned about traditional pattern design and came up with these three patterns. The color process was intense. Tweaking and tweaking them until it was just right took so much time, but I really had a vision in my mind, and I'm so glad I was able to translate that vision onto paper!

Where do you envision this wallpaper being used?

Despite the maximalist nature of my patterns, I feel like they truly shine when applied throughout an entire room rather than just on an accent wall. For example, Robin would be perfect for hallways, bedrooms, or bathrooms, while Elder would create a pretty ambiance in kitchens or bedrooms. Finally, Woodland would lend itself beautifully to children's bedrooms or hallways.

Hygge is all about coziness and savouring life's simple pleasures. What does hygge mean to you, and how do you embrace it in your own life?

Hygge has become a big part of my life, especially as a mother of small children and living a simpler life away from the big city I grew up in. It's all about cherishing the little things and slowing down. From cooking together, baking bread, and cozying up by the fire to enjoying the sunshine with a cup of coffee, lighting candles in my studio for a few hours of painting, and seeing the world through my children's eyes - it's the sweet simple moments that truly matter.