ALTER EGO
ALTER EGO
BACKDROP PRESENTS:
ALTER EGO
The Art of Faux. A collection inspired by the decorative illusion of surface. With original artwork by Xavier Donnelly.
ALTER EGO explores one of interior design's oldest decorative traditions: the art of material mirage, making one thing appear as another. The collection is unapologetically bold, saturated, reflective, and alive. Three distinct, persuasive designs, confident enough to play the part.
Wallpaper has long served as a vehicle for illusion, mimicking architecture, introducing texture, and transforming flat surfaces into something more dimensional. For centuries, decorative painters used techniques such as faux bois, faux marble, lacquer, and metallic finishes to create the appearance of costly or rare materials. Alter Ego revisits that tradition through three wallpaper designs: THE PENTHOUSE, THE BUREAU, and ILLUSION DE BOIS.
THE PENTHOUSE
3 colorways
ILLUSION DE BOIS
3 colorways
THE PENTHOUSE
3 colorways
THE BUREAU
3 colorways
Drawing inspiration from paneled millwork, faux wood grain, lacquered surfaces, and metal patina, the collection examines the relationship between surface, materiality, and architecture. Through scale, pattern, and visual illusion, each design is intended to create the impression of architectural depth while remaining distinctly decorative.
The collection combines original hand-painted artwork by Xavier Donnelly with specialty substrates: mica-coated grounds, advanced printing techniques, and hand-applied gloss detailing. These layered production methods capture the visual complexity and depth traditionally associated with decorative finishes.
