Maya Romanoff hits 40

Joyce and Maya Romanoff
(Image credit: press)

Wall coverings are an oft overlooked feature in many a design-led establishment; but for four decades now, savvy interior designers have made the Chicago-based Maya Romanoff their first port of call whenever they need innovative, high-style designs.
Originally a one-man-wallpapering-band led by the eponymous Maya Romanoff, the company has since grown into an international decorative powerhouse as evidenced by its roster of clients that range from Nobu and Neiman Marcus, to collaborations with the American architect David Rockwell.
Whether creating flexible glass-beaded wallcoverings (the original design is now among the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum’s permanent collection) and in-laid woods or metallic sheen tiles and gold leaf coating, Maya Romanoff’s elegant collections condense the art of covering walls into a fine art form. This explains why they tend to be the coverings of choice for hotels, restaurants, bars and private homes around the world.
This year, in celebration of 40 long years in the business, Maya Romanoff will launch an anniversary capsule collection, designed in collaboration with New York based interior designer Amy Lau. Featuring three limited edition designs on paper rather than fabric, the Anniversary Collection takes the company back to its roots of textile dying and canvas floor cloths whilst interweaving Lau’s super-contemporary take on the form.
If nothing else, the Anniversary Collection is a vivid testament to Romanoff’s ongoing commitment to using what the company calls "uncommon materials to create uncommon art". We, for one, are looking forward to another four decades.

A Woodstock

A Woodstock-inspired campaign from 1969

(Image credit: press)

Tie-dye leather

Tie-dye leather fashion by Maya Romanoff from 1971

(Image credit: press)

Bess Sunrise Installation

The ’Bess Sunrise Installation’ at the Chicago Sun Times Building, 1988

(Image credit: press)

Harris Theatre

The curtain at the Harris Theatre, designed by Maya Romanoff in 2003

(Image credit: press)

Kips Bay

Kips Bay, 2009

(Image credit: press)

Inspiration collection

A wall covering from the archival Inspiration collection, 2010

(Image credit: press)

Mo Restaurant

Mo Restaurant, Budapest

(Image credit: ROOMBA)

The Original

The Original, Portland,

(Image credit: D-Ash Design)

Blanketä Yarn

Maya Romanoff’s Blanketä Yarn and Stitch soft wall covering, 

(Image credit: David Rockwell)

Nobu Hong Kong

Custom made Maya Romanoff wall-stylings at Nobu Hong Kong

(Image credit: press)

American retail

A custom-made wall covering for American retail stalwart Neiman Marcus

(Image credit: press)

Nobu Hong Kong

Custom made Maya Romanoff wall-stylings at Nobu Hong Kong

(Image credit: press)

Nobu Hong Kong

Custom made Maya Romanoff wall-stylings at Nobu Hong Kong

(Image credit: press)

Three Graces

The bead-coated Three Graces wall covering for Swarovski

(Image credit: press)

Three Graces

A close-up of the bead-coated Three Graces wall covering for Swarovski

(Image credit: press)

Maya Romanoff factory

A view inside the Maya Romanoff factory, 2008

(Image credit: press)

Thomas Schoos

The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, California.

(Image credit: Thomas Schoos)

Chair

Chair covered in Maya Romanoff’s tie-dyed leather

(Image credit: press)

Green room

Green room for the Academy Awards,

(Image credit: White Webb)

Choy restaurant

Choy restaurant at Marriott Beijing Northeast

(Image credit: VOA)

Pearl wallcovering

An example of Maya Romanoff’s Mother of Pearl wallcovering

(Image credit: press)

The bar

The bar at Nobu LA 

(Image credit: Rockwell Group)

Wallpaper designs

One of Maya Romanoff’s original plaid wallpaper designs

(Image credit: press)

Sevva Hong Kong

Sevva Hong Kong

(Image credit: Tsao McKeown)

A private residence

A private residence in London

(Image credit: SHH Architects)

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.