Update August 2021: We congratulate Undercurrent Studio for their Grand Prix New Zealand win of the 35th Dulux Colour Awards with this project! “The depth of colour saturation is profound, with comprehensive application, across surfaces and furnishings throughout. Memorably original and wonderfully playful, this is a project with vast attributes.” – Dulux.


Designers Undercurrent Studio selected Deborah Moss art to be transformed into stunning feature walls in the Central Hotel’s bedrooms as part of the interior design concept.

The Central by Naumi Hotels is an exceptional, boutique lifestyle hotel in the heart of Queenstown, New Zealand. A surrealistic sanctuary in the city centre where a creative cool vibe meets a sense of childlike wonder and curiosity.

The Brief.

Paying homage to the surrounding natural environment was a key element of the interior design concept.

The client requested that there were to be absolutely no whites or neutral colours. In fact, as a general rule, the bolder the colour the happier the client was going to be.

The hotel was to have a dramatic point of difference by merging the boundaries between landscape, interiors and art. Every room or area in the hotel was to have a custom art piece or installation. 

Deborah Moss was the chosen artist because her work so closely aligns with the vision for the hotel, as well as the sustainable ethos that Undercurrent practice in the studio.

Oasis Room – “My Silver Lining” artwork by Deborah Moss © Two Bearded Men

The Designer – Undercurrent Studio

“My ultimate goal is to create extraordinary spaces for memorable moments. We believe our projects bring a sense of aliveness to the ordinary,” says Director and Designer of Undercurrent, Liv Macfarlane.

Liv has a burning desire to bring her global knowledge to the local platform.

“Our design process is consciously inspired by nature and our senses, then translated into the built environment. Life is a sensory experience. Every element and touchpoint informs the way in which we experience life. This is why at Undercurrent we design with the human needs at the centre. We transform our clients visions into honest experiences that evoke human emotion.”

Junior Suite – “Silhouettes Of Winter” artwork by Deborah Moss © Two Bearded Men

The Artist – Deborah Moss

Deborah Moss is based in North Auckland and has regularly exhibited in New Zealand and Australia. Her works are held in private collections in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Singapore, England and France.

“Images of my artworks have been transformed into stunning feature walls in the Central Hotel’s bedrooms as part of the interior design concept. The hotel offers guests a unique, boutique experience in a whimsical interior wonderland inspired by its awe-inspiring surrounding natural environment,” says Deborah.

Junior Suite – “Silhouettes Of Winter” artwork by Deborah Moss © Two Bearded Men

Working from her studio which is nestled in a native forest, she draws upon the power and dynamisms of nature, translating her environment to her artworks. Creating poetic expressions, energetic gestures and colourful stories reveal a powerful alchemy of forces between the natural world and her interior vision.

Every time she sells an original artwork, a native tree is planted on her rural property as part of her ‘Planting Hope’ initiative to help the environment.

Feature Walls

All artworks were created in 2020. My Silver lining and Autumn’s Chorus were already completed when Liv approached with the brief, and Deborah completed Silhouettes of Winter with the Junior Suite rooms at the forefront of her mind once familiar with the palette Undercurrent were using in the various themed rooms.

  • Oasis Rooms – My Silver Lining
  • Habitat Rooms – Autumn’s Chorus
  • Junior Suites – Silhouettes of Winter
Habitat Room – “Autumn’s Chorus” artwork by Deborah Moss © Two Bearded Men

Materialised Product

The Undercurrent team worked with us to digitally print Deborah’s artwork onto Sandy Bank wall vinyl substrate to create completely bespoke feature walls.

Undercurrent chose Sandy Bank because of its smooth texture, which beautifully enhanced the colours and depth of Deborah’s brush strokes. Also, because of its durability, cleanability and fire rated requirements for commercial interiors. 

Oasis Room – “My Silver Lining” artwork by Deborah Moss © Two Bearded Men

The Design Process

Materialised isn’t simply the printer of the feature walls, but have an in-house team who project manage the design process from start to finish. Leading Textile Designer, Brigitte Marlot, worked closely with Deborah for the final artwork.

One challenge was that the original art was square, so Brigitte needed to brainstorm ideas to make a rectangular shape work in a way that was very sympathetic to the artworks. Another important factor was to adjust the original files to intensify the colour. “I spent some time making the two images blend into each other seamlessly, and adding 10 cm of bleed to the top and bottom,” says Brigitte. “I had to ensure I made the art work sing!”

With a prototype approved by Deborah, we were then able to oversee the printing at our HQ in Sydney.

Habitat Room – “Autumn’s Chorus” artwork by Deborah Moss © Two Bearded Men

“It has been an absolute honour working with both Deborah Moss and Materialised.” – Liv Macfarlane, Undercurrent Studio.

“I am thrilled to see my artworks translated into a dramatic scale and in such a beautiful and dynamic setting. I’m really impressed with the quality of the colour and details present in the wall vinyl, which mirrors the original works nicely.

It has been a privilege working with Undercurrent Studio and Materialised and I’ve had amazing feedback about the feature walls. People seem particularly impressed by the Hotel’s decision to embrace colour in a really innovative way.” – Deborah Moss


The Team & Credits

Client: Central Hotel, Naumi Hotels
Design: Undercurrent Studio
Artist: Deborah Moss
Photography: Two Bearded Men
Materialised Team: NZ