Arte

Q&A: Arte unveils innovative wallcovering collections

Looking back over Arte’s history, from the success of his grandfather’s initial venture to the techniques, materials and designs that define Arte today, Managing Director Philippe Desart discusses how the company’s most recent launches exemplify Arte’s ambition, innovation and family values.


Tell us about the evolution of the company, from Desart Paints to Arte as it exists today.
My brother Steven and I are the third generation of Desarts in our family business. Our roots run deep in Haspengouw, a rural and agricultural region known for its rolling landscapes and fruit and wine production, which is also home to the Arte HQ. For generations, farming was the way of life for our family, as it was for many in the region, but it was our grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit that changed the course of our story. Stepping away from his agricultural background, he founded Desart Paints, a brand that quickly gained recognition and was distributed widely throughout Belgium.

When our father, Jean Pierre Desart, joined the business, he brought a creative vision and an eye for new opportunities. He saw wallpaper as a medium with untapped potential, not just in terms of colour, but also texture and pattern. Initially distributing wallcoverings from France, he became increasingly frustrated by the limited options available at the time. Driven by the desire to create something better, he invested in a printing machine and began producing his own designs. In 1981, he founded Arte, focusing entirely on this new direction. With a small in-house design studio, he began pioneering wallcoverings made from non-woven materials, grass cloth and vinyl. His ambition was to elevate wallpaper from a supporting role in interiors to a defining design element in its own right.

It was this passion that inspired both Steven and I to join the business. Steven applied his technical mind, shaped in part by his experience as a professional go-karting driver, to the manufacturing side. I focus on the brand and marketing, working to communicate our story, values and ongoing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship. It’s a partnership that works very well and has led us to be able to build the brand on an international scale.

How do Arte wallcoverings combine aesthetics and functionality?
All our products are thoughtfully designed in-house at Arte, where we focus on combining aesthetics with functionality through innovative design and high-performance materials. With around 50 new designs introduced each year, our studio is a vibrant hub of creativity constantly pioneering new techniques and materials. Yet as well as innovating, it is vital that all our designs meet the practical needs of contemporary interiors. Many of our wallcoverings are washable, durable and flame retardant, making them suitable for both residential settings and high traffic commercial environment. In addition, our broad range of vinyl and screen-printed non-woven wallcoverings offer remarkably realistic imitations of luxury fabrics, natural fibres, leather and decorative wall finishes such as painted surfaces or plaster effects. These products offer a rich, handcrafted aesthetic while delivering outstanding durability and longevity. It is this commitment to balancing form and function that is central to everything we do, ensuring our wallcoverings enhance interior spaces while offering lasting quality and ease of maintenance.

How are you using new textures and materials to innovate wallcoverings?
Our designers travel extensively in search of inspiration and imaginative materials such as foil, denim, wood veneer, textured fabrics, leather, silk, banana bark and more. Each collection is developed with a strong emphasis on visual impact, featuring rich textures, intricate patterns and refined colour palettes. We use a wide range of techniques including weaving, inlay and digital printing to bring each material to life.

What can you reveal of your recent launches Emblème, Melaky and Icarus?
Arte has a long tradition of designing and manufacturing wallcoverings using the most unusual materials and innovative techniques, combining bold patterns with a range of exceptional materials and cutting-edge techniques; our approach to these latest collections is no exception. The Embleme collection features wood veneers, textured 3D textiles and an eye catching high-gloss finish. Drawing inspiration from Madagascar’s Melaky region, the Melaky collection incorporates the natural beauty of mulberry trees and raffia, brought to life through artisanal craftsmanship to create truly unique, handmade wallcoverings. Inspired by the timeless myth of the same name, the Icarus collection celebrates themes of bravery and ambition, values that we felt mirror Arte’s own commitment to fearless creativity. This range showcases richly tactile materials such as raffia, sisal, hessian and banana bark, enhanced with intricate embroidery for added depth and character.

What do Arte wallcoverings bring to hotel spaces?
Arte wallcoverings bring a unique blend of artistry and innovation to hotel spaces. Our designs transform walls into tactile stories, enriching the atmosphere with texture, depth and character – turning every room into an unforgettable experience for guests.

How are the company’s family values reflected in the business today?
Our family values remain at the core of everything we do. The dynamic spirit of our father and grandfather continues to inspire us today. We are fortunate to have the freedom to take our time with new designs, some of which take several years to develop, as we strive to create truly innovative and exciting wallcoverings. It is this enduring spirit that keeps the company vibrant and forward-looking.

What’s next for Arte?
Always new innovations, new discoveries – we always want to be pushing at the limits of our craft.