Tailored Zebra from Echo Design by Kenneth James

It involves a small team of skilled craftsmen incorporating elements of 19th-century design.

Using specially formulated pigments and a blockprint technique, the craftsmen create richly colored and textured works to adorn the walls of distinctive homes. If it sounds like the creation of fine or decorative art, think again. It’s actually a description of how the British company Farrow & Ball makes its wallpapers.

Much has been written about the return of wallpaper, but for companies like Farrow & Ball, it never left. The company specializes in traditional papers and paint, and its wallpaper collections involve timeless designs often inspired by centuries-old patterns and fabrics. It was silk jacquard woven in the 1800s that inspired Farrow & Ball’s newest collection, The Chelsea Papers, set to debut March 1. Chelsea Papers includes three botanically inspired patterns — peony, wisteria and petal stripes — done in 60 diverse colors ranging from bold black-and-gold to delicate pinks and vibrant yellows. Like all Farrow & Ball papers, it’s made to order in Dorset, England, using zero-VOC, water-based paint and sustainably milled paper.

Also building on the classics is the Echo Design wallpaper collection, a collaboration between Kenneth James and Echo Design, the well-known scarf company founded in 1923. Launched last fall, the 15 environmentally friendly designs include “Modern Damask,” an amplification of the traditional fabric pattern, and “Tailored Zebra,” a tactile take on animal print featuring raised suede stripes.