Garden Party Wallpaper in Thyme Traveller
One of my favorite games as a kid was Golden's 1988 Old Maid deck. Yes, you might be thinking "Old Maid, really?" But it had me in a constant state of chuckles, thanks to their genius card illustrations and characters like "Ben Dover", "Shirley Cantcook", and "Will Yum!" Let's just say I like a pun.
So fast forward to my adult years, and it is no surprise that when Abnormals Anonymous teases a new collection they get my full attention. Introducing Westward, a collection of show stopping wallpapers (with fun names)! I'm of course a big fan of Garden Party in Thyme Traveller. We also had a fun chat with Abnormals Anonymous about their favorite hangouts in both LA and Seattle... because even though they are Anonymous I will let the cat out of the bag and tell you that they have spent most of their lives in these two fabulous cities, and they have awesome recs!
Happy wallpapering and summer travels.... and get yourself a deck of vintage Old Maid to go with that rosé!
x
Kate
•••
TEMPLE STUDIO: Your wallpapers have such distinct names. What is your naming process like? They’re all so fun and full of personality.
ABNORMALS ANONYMOUS: Thank you for noticing the fun! Naming our patterns and colorways is one of the most enjoyable parts of what we do. Once we’ve nailed the pattern and finalized the colors, we dive into the joyful task of naming each design. We get our inspiration from playful and nostalgic references that make us smile, often finding common ground in movies, music, puns, and our love of words. Our studio turns into a brainstorming party where we throw around ideas, see what sticks, and go with what lights us up. This spirited and collaborative process ensures that each name perfectly captures the personality and vibe of the pattern.
California Dreamin' Grasscloth Wallpaper in Magic Hour
Given that your new collection is called Westward Collection, we wanted to ask you what inspires you most about the West Coast?
The West Coast is our ultimate muse. We adore the salty sea, the crisp air, the breathtaking sunsets, and the diverse landscapes. The natural beauty here is endlessly inspiring and fuels our creativity every day. The vibrant, creative communities are our jam, and we thrive in the laid-back, carefree lifestyle that makes the West Coast feel like home.
How do you choose what kind of ground to use for your wallpapers? Or when to add texture? Or even a metallic element?
Choosing the perfect ground for our wallpapers makes all the difference. We love grounds with a matte finish because they soak up the inks beautifully and give our patterns a rich, luscious depth. Since many of our designs start as hand-drawn art, we’re all about keeping that artistic vibe alive when they become wallcoverings.
Grasscloth is our texture BFF—it adds a tactile dimension and an organic feel that takes our patterns to the next level, creating a sophisticated backdrop. And when it’s time to add a bit of sparkle, we sprinkle in metallic elements for that extra touch of glam. It’s all about finding that perfect balance to make our designs pop.
Club Paradise Wallpaper in Midnight Oasis
Your new collection has such calming colors and color pairings, how do you decide on your palette for each new collection and wallpaper?
We don’t follow a strict formula when it comes to coloring our patterns—we embrace our “abnormals” name and go with our gut! While we always include popular shades like blues, greens, and grays for versatility, some patterns beg for more color. That’s when we dive into a playful mix of paint swatches, and draw inspiration from nature and art. It might be a favorite painting, photograph or any other visual eye candy that crosses our path. Sometimes, the best color combinations happen by happy accident, and those oops moments make it into our final selection. By staying open and fluid with the journey of color, we end up with a well-balanced and exciting palette. Plus, we love collaborating on custom colorings and seeing what designers and customers dream up. Occasionally, those custom colors are so fantastic they become part of our standard offerings.
Shop the Westward Collection
•••
BAR
Deep Dive, 620 Lenora St., Seattle, WA 98121
Barnacle, 4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
It’s a tie between Deep Dive (shown above) and Barnacle (a tiny oyster bar).
RESTAURANT
The Corson Building, 5609 Corson Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98108
There’s one seating a night. It’s a fully immersive and magical dining experience.
COFFEE
Caffe Vita, 620 Lenora St., Seattle, WA 98121
Caffe Vita in Capitol Hill.
GALLERY
Spectrum Fine Art, 1411 34th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
Design friends of ours. You won’t be able to not smile.
STORE
Lucca Great Finds, 5332 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Long standing curiosity shop full of treasures.
PARK
Gas Works Park
Overlooks Lake Washington and downtown Seattle. Lots of picnics and kite flying.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Georgetown
Located in the industrial area of South Seattle, there are great shops, restaurants, and events.
•••
Pacific Avenue Wallpaper in Today Was A Good Day
BAR
Perch, 488 South Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Perch in Downtown LA. There are amazing city views and great cocktails.
RESTAURANT
Great White, 1604 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA
The aesthetic is just as good as the food.
COFFEE
Blue Bottle, 415 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Blue Bottle in Santa Monica.
MUSEUM
The Broad, 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The art and architecture are off the hook.
SHOPPING AREA
Abbott Kinney Blvd.
Great for shopping and for people watching.
HIKING TRAIL
Culver City Stairs to Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Get the heart rate pumping up the stairs for a birds eye view of LA.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Venice
Nothing is surprising in Venice. It’s a world of its own.
