Up close and personal with Cara Saven Wall Design

Launched in 2006, Cara Saven Wall Design offers a complete service, from design to installation of the most exquisite wall papers, canvases, framed prints, and vinyls. We chat to the woman behind the brand, Cara Saven, about her vision and expertise in this industry.

Where did you study? “I studied History of Art and Psychology at UCT. Woolies then trained me up as a retail buyer.”

How did you transition from photography to wall design? “My move to large format printing (wallpapers) came with requests for the kind of images I could no longer take with my camera – requests for aerial views or images of underwater. People also started asking for more design-oriented images so I needed to take on someone that was better at photoshop and illustrator than me (didn’t take much). I am naturally a buyer – I know what looks good and how to put ranges together, so it was a natural fit for me to go into a role where I directed the creative process as opposed to executing it myself. I am happiest when I am saying yay or nay to something.”

Which has been your favourite project and why? “Eish, there have been so many projects that I have loved and even the ones I have disliked, have taught me so much. I always love hospitality work – besides the fact that it’s often volume work, it’s incredible to see how wallpaper can bring the whole space together and is the cherry on top of great interior design.

I recently did the head office of Cape Union Mart and they were so open to going out the box with their design. The people you work with often make the project enjoyable and I have my long-standing clients who are more like working for friends, than clients. We also did work for Haldane Martin this year and I would have to say, he’s one of the nicest people to work with.”

Where do you get the inspiration for your designs? “Where all designers get their inspiration….Pinterest, Instagram, the season, Pantone, Fashion, Nature, blogs, Magazines…should I keep going?”

Which of your designs is your personal favourite? “I love the Botanical that I had featured on the cover of Visi a couple of years ago. It was my first botanical. It was the first wallpaper I put up in our new home and it was my first magazine cover. I also still really love the design.” Where is your favourite travel destination? “I have complete Wanderlust at the moment, so anywhere sunny would be the real answer. But I visited Bali for the first time this year and I would have to say, that could be my all time favourite. Great design, yoga, incredible food, beach, not expensive and incredible people. Yip, Bali.”

What current interior décor trend is your personal favourite right now? “Dark green walls”

Do you have any other passions besides décor and design? “I have to be in the middle of a good book to be happy. I am passionate about Yoga and hiking and travel. And I am passionate about South Africa and of course my husband and 2 girls.” What is next for Cara Saven Wall Design? “It’s already been a crazy year of growth for us, but I am working on a retail range of vinyl stickers that I am pretty excited about and we have some amazing projects in the pipeline in places like Plett (my other passion – sorry I forgot). We also have a new product which we are working on getting out there into the industry – seamless wallpaper – a game changer for the hospitality industry. But more of the same as well… great ranges and great installations.”