Quagga Fabrics & Wallpapers

Rob Tarlton, founder of the Cape Town-based surface design company Quagga Fabrics and Wallpapers recently shared his bold, intricate and interesting designs with us. Rob, who is a graphic designer, explains that most of Quagga’s designs started out as “dreamy doodles” which with weeks of refinement evolved into their first range of wallpaper called Maginaper (a clever mash-up of the words “imagination” and “paper”).

“The patterns convey a love of local flavour, with a hearty mix of international design trends thrown in. In these original designs, you can expect an exciting blend of patterns made up of abstract shapes and recognisable cultural icons, from cows to lighthouses”

After the wallpapers’ great success, Rob decided to translate the designs onto fabric, which in turn led to a small range of product. The range consists of “Beetle and Lighthouse” scatter cushions,which features local familiar sights such as the Mouille Point Lighthouse and an old VW Beetle. He also hopes to produce boxes, lampshades and bags with that distinct Quagga flavour in the near future.

Wondering about the name? Located in close proximity to the Groote Schuur Estate, which houses a faction of the “The Quagga Project” who aims to reintroduce the extinct Quagga through continuous selective breeding, the name “Quagga Fabrics and Wallpapers” seemed like a logical and patriotic choice to Rob.

Check out the Quagga Fabrics and Wallpapers website: here for more info.