Transforming Nambour Cinemas with Custom Wallpaper and Murals: An Interview with Kylie Harber of Tiny Giraffe

June 29, 2025

We recently had the pleasure of collaborating with the incredibly talented Kylie Harber, artist, muralist, and founder of Tiny Giraffe Art and Design Studio, on a unique project for the iconic Nambour Cinemas. Kylie was commissioned to design and create the custom wallpaper and murals that now bring the cinema’s rich Art Deco heritage to life with a fresh, modern twist.



CK Cabinetry was engaged to complete the custom shop fit-out, working closely with Kylie and the interior design team to ensure the cabinetry and finishes seamlessly complemented her stunning artwork.


In addition to her work in large-scale wall art, Kylie also runs Kylie Harber Photography, offering natural light brand photography for creatives and nature-based businesses.

It was an absolute joy working with Kylie, and we’re excited to share more about her creative journey, design philosophy, and how she turns meaningful places into works of art.

Can you share a bit about your journey into art and design?

I’ve always been passionate about transforming spaces and telling stories through design. I started my career as a landscape architect and urban designer, which gave me a deep appreciation for how people interact with and use spaces. 


But it was a trip to San Francisco in 2010 that changed everything for me. I fell in love with the city and wanted a keepsake to remind me of the place I’d left my heart in. When I couldn’t find the perfect artwork, I decided to draw my own map of San Francisco. Creating that one piece brought me so much joy and contentment – the process of drawing was almost meditative – and then I wanted more city maps for my walls. Soon I was creating hand-drawn city maps of other places I loved. I slowly built up my first art collection which I titled “I Left My Heart”.

My passion project has grown organically over the years into my full time art and design studio, where I now create bespoke art pieces, large-scale wallpapers and murals that celebrate travel, storytelling, and the magic of meaningful places.


What led you to create Tiny Giraffe Co.?


Tiny Giraffe started as a way to share my love of travel through art. Friends and family were keen to have copies of my artworks too. I launched my website in 2016 and began selling my hand-drawn city maps online and at local markets, but it truly evolved when a client asked me if I could turn one of my designs into a 7-metre-wide wallpaper for his new office in Sydney.

That project in 2017 was a turning point – I realized that wallpaper had the power to completely transform a space. From that moment, I leaned into large scale wall art, custom-designed wallpapers, and murals. Now, I work with businesses and homeowners to bring meaningful, story-driven designs into their spaces. ï»¿

Your work celebrates travel and storytelling. How did this theme become such an integral part of your designs?


Travel and exploring fuels my creativity – I always have itchy feet! From adventures both near and far, every place I visit and the people I meet leaves an impression on me. I love capturing those emotions and experiences through my art. My work is about celebrating the places we leave our hearts, whether that’s a city skyline, a modern map, a landscape, native flower, or an architectural element. To me, wallpaper and murals are more than just decoration; they’re a way to bring the feeling of a place into a space and create a connection to memories, identity, and belonging.

Where do you draw the most inspiration from when designing a new wallpaper or mural?


I take inspiration from the spirit of a place – through landscapes, architecture, climate, plants and animals. In my university days of landscape architecture I learnt about the concept of ‘genus loci’ – it’s latin for ‘the spirit of place’. I have always felt drawn to knowing a place through its culture and it’s layers. I think about this when I’m remembering a place, asking my clients about their meaningful places or researching somewhere that’s new to me.

Sometimes it’s the way a city was formed, the way light filters through palm trees at sunset, the intricate details of an old building, patterns in the architecture, or simply the colours or feelings a place evokes. I also look at the history and purpose of the space I’m designing for, making sure the artwork feels like a natural extension of its story.

My art style has often been described as feminine, elegant, simple and flowing – I like my artworks and patterns to dance across the wall with ample ‘white space’, allowing the eye to roam from one element to the next.


What is your process like when working with businesses, architects, and interior designers to create a custom wallpaper?


It’s a highly collaborative process! I start by learning about the space, its function, and the story the client wants to tell. Working with interior designers is always a highlight as they are talented in designing beautiful spaces and often have a colour palette and moodboard I can work with. 

My clients give me a lot of creative freedom. I will create mood boards, sketches, and digital mockups to articulate and refine the concept. Once the concept is approved, I’ll create the artwork in more detail. Once the artwork is finalised, I prepare it for large-scale production, ensuring it works seamlessly at scale. I work closely with my trusted wallpaper printers and installers to bring the artwork to life, making sure every detail aligns perfectly within the space. 

I manage and coordinate the entire process, from start to finish – offering a turnkey service so business owners and designers don’t need to invest a lot of their time or energy beyond the initial meeting and artwork reviews. I work to project timelines – there is no long lead time on my wallpaper printing and my wallpaper installers work well amongst other trades so the project comes together seamlessly.


How do you balance artistic creativity with meeting the functional needs of a space?


For me it’s about finding the sweet spot between aesthetics and practicality and my background in both art and design means I consider and understand both. I want my designs to be aesthetically beautiful and elegant, expressive and immersive, but they also need to function within the space. That means considering room composition, lighting, durability, impact and how the artwork sits within the space alongside interior selections such as furniture and finishes. My murals can incorporate the beauty of art and the functionality of signage by incorporating words and logos.

Can you walk us through the design and installation process for Nambour Cinema’s wallpaper?


I was approached by interior designer Barbie Payton of Onyx Studio to create a ‘hero’ wallpaper for this special project. Nambour Cinema has an Art Deco history and she wanted to create a design that honored that heritage while adding a fresh, contemporary, coastal feel. I incorporated classic Art Deco geometry with flowing arches and palm motifs to reflect the lush, tropical landscape of the Sunshine Coast. During the concept design, our client wanted to replace the arches with something film inspired. I refined my concept design to incorporate film strips and the Art Deco style was not lost in these lovely clean lines and organic shapes. 

Once the concept was finalised, I drew the artwork in more detail and worked with Barbie to ensure the colours of the wallpaper tied into her selections for carpet, cabinetry, tiles, furniture and other finishes. The pattern was originally set on a solid navy background but I had a last minute idea to try a gradient to reflect a sunset. Barbie and I were both thrilled with the result and I arranged wallpaper samples for her to approve. The final artwork was printed on high quality matte wallpaper, adding to the elegance of the design. The installation required careful alignment of the repeating patterns to ensure a seamless, long-lasting finish. The result is a space that feels both nostalgic and new—a celebration of cinema’s golden era with a local twist.


What are some of the biggest challenges when designing and installing large-scale murals or wallpapers?


Scaling a design up to wall size while maintaining clarity and impact can be a challenge. Because I create most of my artworks in vector format, they can be enlarged without losing quality and are very high resolution. Walls aren’t always perfectly straight either, so installation requires precision and wall preparation is very important. Also, every space has different lighting and interior fitout, which can affect how the final artwork looks. That’s why I love working with interior designers who know how to curate a space and I work closely with trusted installers to ensure a flawless finish.


You talk about embedding a sense of belonging, identity, and joy into your work—how do you achieve that in your designs?


I design with emotion and storytelling in mind. I believe that when you start with a story or meaningful idea to inform the artwork, it becomes a talking piece that sparks conversation and delight. Often that means incorporating personal or local elements that create a connection to the space. People can connect their own memories and experiences to the artwork which results in strengthened identity, pride and ownership of the space. This is especially important to me in corporate settings where I am renovating within an existing fitout that might be generic in design. Whether it’s a map artwork of the city a business is located in, or a botanical wallpaper mural featuring native plants and flowers, or a custom pattern inspired by a place’s history, my desire is to help people feel connected to the place and to each other when they step into the room. 


Have you had any particularly memorable projects where the artwork transformed the space in a meaningful way?


The first time I turned one of my city maps into a large scale wallpaper was a life changing experience. It made me realise the impact art can have on a space. More recently, the Nambour Cinema project was special because it brought a sense of place and history into a community-loved venue. Seeing people react to the finished work is always the most rewarding part. And of course, receiving photos of friends, family and colleagues taking selfies in front of the wallpaper!

What emotions or experiences do you hope people feel when they walk into a space featuring your designs?


I want them to feel transported – whether that’s to a place they love, a memory they cherish, or simply a mood of joy and wonder. We live in a beautiful world worth exploring. My hope is that my wallpapers and murals spark a sense of connection and joy.


Have you noticed any recent trends in wallpaper and mural design that excite you?


I don’t really follow trends – I believe in timeless, meaningful designs that will bring joy for many years. However at the time of writing this in early 2025, I’m seeing lots of deep reds and burnt oranges in interiors – the burnt orange speaks to me as a gorgeous earthy colour that lends itself to warmth and connection. 

Lately I’m seeing a lot of layered, detailed patterns (often with exotic plants and animals) that bring excitement and life to a space. One trend I do like is the approach of ‘full immersion – where patterned wallpapers and murals cover every wall and even the ceiling. I love this approach as it completely transforms the room, not just one feature wall.

Textural wallpapers and finishes always excite me – anything that makes you want to get closer or touch it! 


What advice would you give to businesses or homeowners looking to incorporate custom wallpaper into their spaces?


Don’t be afraid of wallpaper! Many wallpapers have improved significantly since the 70’s and 80’s – for example, my wallpaper is a thick, luscious matte texture and easily stripped. Wallpaper has the power to completely transform a space beyond standard finishes. Consider what story you want your space to tell, and invest in high-quality materials to ensure longevity. Invest in considered art and design that will make you happy for years to come.


Are there any materials or techniques you’re experimenting with right now?


I’m exploring ways to integrate more hand-painted textures into my digital designs, incorporating watercolour and hand lettering. I love the mix of crisp digital linework with organic, hand-drawn elements. I’m always investing time into sustainable printing – my printers are Australian based where possible and I investigate paper types and . Also, thanks to the popularity of my gold foil letterpress map artworks and requests for something similar in wallpaper, I have been sourcing premium metallic wallpaper printing and after 18 months of research I have samples ready to show! I am just waiting on the right client and project to come along.


What has been the most rewarding part of running Tiny Giraffe?


Bringing people’s spaces to life through art. Seeing a client’s reaction when they step into a transformed space is incredibly rewarding. I also love the freedom to create from anywhere in the world and explore new ideas, constantly evolving my work.


If you could create a mural anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?


I’d love to create a wallpaper mural in San Francisco, since that’s where my journey really began! A large scale piece celebrating the city’s spirit, its wild and undulating landscape and iconic architecture would be a dream come true.


What’s next for Tiny Giraffe? Any exciting projects on the horizon?


There are some exciting collaborations coming up, including murals for two apartment foyers, a day care centre, a new Brisbane office fitout and a few bespoke homes. 

I’m also dreaming up new wallpaper collections inspired by my recent travels to New Zealand and Japan – places I am now obsessed with. And after many years of offering custom wallpapers, I’m finally building a wallpaper mural shop to make my city map mural designs more accessible. I can’t wait to keep pushing the boundaries of wallpaper and wall art!

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