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Spring Cleaning: Sparkling new paper-cut artworks by Zim&Zou for The Washington Post

Thinking of giving your home a good old spring clean? It's that time of year again, when we think about shaking off the dust of winter to throw open the windows and give our personal spaces a really thorough clean.

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Colourful paper-cut cleaning brush with mint-green bristles and pink handle resting on a purple dustpan surrounded by confetti-like paper pieces

With this in mind, The Washington Post recently appointed French artists Zim&Zou to create the front cover and literature illustrations for its Local Living 'Spring Cleaning' supplement, crafting everything from paper-cut cleaning sprays to dustpans and brushes.

Based in Nancy, Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmermann studied graphic design together and now run their own studio working for clients such as IBM, Microsoft, Hermès and TIME magazine.

Their distinctive bright and colourful style focuses on handcrafted installations using paper, wood and thread – moving away from computer design. Paper apparently inspires them for its versatility, infinite range of colours and unique textures. Discover more at www.zimandzou.fr.

Colourful paper-cut flowers and water droplets surrounding the words "spring CLEANING" in pink and blue text on a blue background by Zim&Zou
Colourful paper-cut cleaning spray bottle surrounded by decorative paper flowers and glass spheres against a purple and yellow gradient background
Colourful paper-cut cleaning supplies by Zim&Zou including a spray bottle, dustpan and brushes arranged on a vibrant multi-coloured background
Colourful paper-cut dustpan overflowing with confetti beside a hanging paintbrush against a pink and blue background by Zim&Zou
Colourful paper-cut illustration by Zim&Zou showing a clothing rail with hangers and folded clothes in a green storage box against a pink and purple background
Colourful paper-cut still life featuring a pink cylindrical cleaning caddy, yellow sponge and scattered star-shaped confetti against a purple and green backdrop
Colourful paper-cut paintbrush with mint green bristles resting on a pink dustpan against a bright blue grid background by Zim&Zou
Colourful paper-cut flowers and shapes arranged on a textured dark surface, featuring a prominent pink bloom with a turquoise centre among pastels of blue, yellow, purple and mint green
Colourful threads and iridescent paper-cut text spelling "LIFE" on a dark grid background in Zim&Zou's paper-cut artwork for The Washington Post
Colourful paper-cut flowers with layered petals and beaded centres arranged on a grey surface, featuring pink, yellow, purple and mint green blooms
Local Living magazine cover featuring Zim&Zou's paper-cut artwork with colourful flowers and bubbles on a bright blue background for a spring cleaning theme
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