Matching the ‘atmosphere of the room’
How to pair switches, sockets and decorative wall coverings with Hannah Cecil Gurney of de Gournay.
Matching the "atmosphere of the room"
When renowned British interiors brand de Gournay paired its hand-painted wallpapers and intricate embroidered wall coverings with our solid brass switches and outlets in its Los Angeles residence, we couldn’t resist catching up with director Hannah Cecil Gurney – daughter of the brand’s founder – for her advice on bringing architectural details into highly decorative designs.
The timing couldn’t have been better, with our own showroom in the West Hollywood Design District having just opened.
Hannah’s responses to our questions were so helpful, we decided to share them in full.
Wallpapers and coverings from de Gournay are known for their richly detailed designs. When you’re choosing switches and outlets to go alongside them, what’s your starting point?
At de Gournay, the wallpaper is often the starting point because it establishes the atmosphere and narrative of the room. However, we think holistically about interiors, so architectural details are considered very early in the process.
Switches and sockets may be small elements, but they’re repeatedly encountered at eye and hand level, so they should feel integrated into the decorative scheme rather than added afterwards.
A beautifully made brass switch can function almost like a piece of jewelry within the room, adding another layer of craftsmanship. When thoughtfully chosen, it complements the wallpaper without detracting from it.
Of our three finishes – antique brass, bronze, and polished nickel – do you have a personal favorite, or does your choice always depend on the wallpaper?
It always depends on the room and the character of the wallpaper.
If I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be antique brass because it feels timeless and works beautifully across many different decorative styles.
That said, bronze and polished nickel each have moments where they are exactly the right choice.
Antique brass is a living finish that darkens and develops a patina over time. Does that sense of age and character appeal to you when you’re pairing it with hand-painted wallpaper or embroidered wall covering?
Very much so. Hand-painted wallpapers and embroidered wall coverings celebrate the human hand and the subtle irregularities that come with craftsmanship. A living finish shares that quality.
The fact it evolves over time gives a room depth and authenticity. We are always interested in interiors that feel collected and lived in rather than static or overly perfect.
When would you choose the warm darkness of bronze over antique brass? Is it about the color palette of the wallpaper, the mood of the room, or something else?
It's often more about mood than color alone.
Bronze can bring a wonderful sense of sophistication and restraint, so we might choose it for a library, dining room, or a space where we want the atmosphere to feel more intimate and enveloping.
It allows decorative wallpapers to take center stage while still contributing richness and depth.
Polished nickel is bright and reflective. In a room with an elaborate, hand-painted wallpaper, that’s a bolder choice.
Polished nickel works beautifully when there’s already a sense of lightness and clarity in the room. It pairs particularly well with fresher color palettes, lighter grounds, and interiors that have a more contemporary elegance.
It can become too much if every element is competing for attention, but when used selectively it introduces a lovely crispness and refinement.
Your designs span a huge range of color palettes from soft, muted tones to saturated, jewel-like ones. Are there rules of thumb for matching a finish to a particular color palette?
Rather than matching colors directly, I prefer to think about temperature and mood.
Antique brass tends to enhance warm palettes and traditional decorative schemes. Bronze works beautifully with deeper, more atmospheric interiors. Polished nickel often suits cooler tones and lighter, fresher spaces.
Ultimately, the finish should support the feeling you want to create rather than simply coordinate with a color.
What’s the difference between a finish that complements a wallpaper – sitting quietly alongside it – and one that makes its own statement?
A finish that complements a wallpaper quietly is often one that provides balance rather than competing for attention.
For example, bronze paired with one of our richer floral designs, such as ‘Hortus Medicus,’ creates a harmonious effect because the darker finish recedes visually, allowing the intricacy and color of the design to remain the focus.
A finish that makes more of a statement might be antique brass against a softly colored Chinoiserie on silk. In that context, the warmth and character of the brass introduce an additional decorative layer within the room.
The contrast between the delicate hand-painted landscape and the richness of the metal creates a sense of depth and interest, while still feeling entirely cohesive.
Switches and outlets are functional objects. They go on the wall, whatever the wallpaper. What advice would you give to someone who’s nervous about the two competing with each other?
I would encourage them not to think of the switches and sockets as interruptions. If they’re well designed and thoughtfully finished, they become part of the composition.
A beautiful architectural detail will almost always feel more harmonious than something generic that attempts to disappear.
Published on 26th August 2026
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