Innovations Celebrates 40th Anniversary With New—and Old—Patterns

In the 1970’s, working at Raymond Loewy and Associates, Rudy Mayer’s wallpapers and textiles fed the legendary designer’s retail projects. Mayer had found his passion—and in 1975, it became a brand. “I was introducing unique and dynamic products to inspire designers,” Mayer says. “That’s why I chose the name.” He’s, of course, referring to Innovations, now among the world’s largest wall-covering manufacturers, and one of the industry’s last family-owned suppliers.

To mark the anniversary, Innovations Classics features reissued archival designs such as Lonstripe, a metallic-tone vinyl from 1983. But brand-new introductions remain vital, including Ecorce, a vinyl inspired by raindrops, and Icelandic Wood, simulated by vinyl and metal film. Existing patterns flaunt a surfeit of materials: abaca (Sabah), capiz flakes and recycled cardboard (Sumatra), linen and polyester (Antwerp), vinyl (Tubarao). The pace shows no sign of slowing. Next year brings Batik, an organic-yet-geometric pattern in vinyl and metal film, and Bauxite, a textural composite of cellulose, polyester and acrylic.