The Scenic Route

This week I wanted to blog about some of the wonderful wallpapers and fabrics available at the moment that feature scenery designs. Often we tend to jump head first into our plains, stripes and floral patterned fabrics but always seem a little hesitant to delve into the world of scenery fabrics or wallpapers. Perhaps it’s because the art historian in me is a sucker for a good renaissance tapestry, but I always liked a well thought out scenery design, so I’ve picked out some lovely scenic designs that are floating around at the moment that are sure to satisfy a variety of tastes and styles. So sit back and enjoy the view.

‘Arden’ from Zoffany

This Arden fabric, from a collection of the same name is the design that first inspired me to write a blog on scenery fabrics and wallpapers. The design was copied from a mid-15^th century pattern found in a home in Halifax in 1901. A tapestry has been turned into a workable, beautiful design that can easily be used in the 21^st century. The old red colour is full of heritage style and the animal and woodland design brings a mythical intrigue to an upholstery fabric.

Another from Zoffany from the same collection is this Verdure wallpaper design. The collection was created by artist Melissa White and each design mixes a historic past with a contemporary present, making each pattern highly versatile and ideal for a modern home. The Verdure design is based on a late 17^th century painted cloth.

‘Verdure’ from Zoffany

If heritage style mixed with a hint of flamboyance is a little OTT for your taste, there are plenty of scenery designs out there that will complement an elegant and mellow interior. Barbary Toile from Nina Campbell has all of the usual lovely attributes that can be associated with her designs, but with a little twist. The pattern takes inspiration from her Great Uncle’s worldly travels, and here the design depicts the monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar. This fabric is the perfect example of an alternative to floral patterns whilst keeping the same sophisticated feeling but with a little more cheekiness to it!

‘Barbary Toile’ from Nina Campbell

‘Trianon’ from Manuel Canovas

Another lovely, elegant scenery style pattern, this time from Manuel Canovas. Here the scenes depicts people playing in natural surroundings, I love the juxtaposition of the delicate imagery and the zingy red used, giving a little flavour to the pattern.

If a little flavour just won’t cut it and you’re looking for a big helping of pizazz, Cole and Son’s ‘Miami’ design is something you should take a look at, especially if you love an urban motif.

‘Miami’ from Cole and Son

As the name suggests, the design takes its influence from the architecture of South Beach, Miami. The design is filled with all the vibrancy and exuberance that comes with the Miami territory. From the monochrome tiles to the vegetation, it’s head-to-toe full of fun.

For an urban depiction that takes more of a traditional, rustic route the gondolier pattern from Zoffany is rather beautiful and full of character, showing off all the best aspects of Venice, the buildings, bridges and canals have all been included to create a wonderfully romantic image.

‘The Gondolier’ from Zoffany

Take a trip down history lane with this sweet and interesting design from Linwood of a collection of postcards that tell the narratives of The Grand Tour, which was a popular tradition during the 16^th century where the upper-class would travel across European and discover all the wonders of the continent. The wallpaper design is rather unusual, and not something you’re likely to see every day, so put it in your house and dream about your next holiday.

‘The Grand Tour’ from Linwood

For a scene that shows off the classic Englishman in the classic English setting, Lewis and Wood have created a fly fishing design based on etchings by renowned engraver George Morland from 1823. The whole pattern has a quirky flair to it, showing off the idyllic countryside with just a hint of twee.

‘Fly Fishing’ from Lewis and Wood

Lastly another from Lewis and Wood that is my absolute favourite design of theirs right now, this ‘Wild Thing’ in velvet is just stunning. The beautiful array of wildlife and flowers creates a wonderful design that would look superb in any home. The pattern was uncovered during a designers travels to Italy and has a lovely, exotic sense to it as well as similarity to the illustrations of Quentin Blake.

‘Wild Thing’ from Lewis and Wood

Even if you thought that scenery designs on fabrics and wallpapers weren’t really your cup of tea, there are so many around that take the form of all kinds of styles you are sure to find something perfect for you.

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Gifts for home loving Mums

Mother’s Day is fast approaching (this Sunday, eek!) and if you are stuck for inspiration, we may just have a few ideas for your Mum and her home.

I love this grey ceramic owl vase – perfect for a wise Mum! Graham and Green £12.95

These drawer liners from The White Company are fragranced with cedarwood, geranium and white rose so they give your clothes and linen a lovely delicate scent. £15 for 4

Clever Rockett St George have found yet another winner with the gorgeous pale pink and blue grey velvet cushion – what Mum wouldn’t love another cushion! £30

In recommending these fab tea towels, I am in no way saying that drying up is a womans job – these are to be hung on the Aga for Mum to enjoy from a distance! Lewis and Wood £5 each

I can’t think of a nicer present than this delightful cake stand and dome – and if you include the cake in the present, you will definitely get extra brownie points! Baileys Home and Garden £48 (excluding cake)

This super smart limited edition brolley is from one of our favourite fabric suppliers and features a design called Kayyam from their new Spring collection. Rain suddenly isn’t such a bad thing! Osborne and Little £27.

This delightful jewellery frame is not only really useful but also makes your trinkets and gems into your own evolving work of art. Cox and Cox £32

Finally, if your Mum loves her Kindle, she will love it even more with this stylish Liberty print cover wrapped around it. Covercraft at Not on the High Street £36.50

I am for once, ahead of the game this year and have already secured my present for my Mum from this list – I hope I have picked the right one!

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New fabrics from Lewis and Wood

Lewis and Wood fabrics and wallpapers have long been a favourite of ours and the small but perfectly formed new collection of five fabrics makes us love them even more! There are some absolute beauties – lovely designs in a range of beautiful colours and all very useable and desirable.

‘Wild thing’ is a beautiful print in three colourways and uses a very fine linen cloth which makes is drape wonderfully as a curtain.

Etienne is classic Lewis and Wood and is a lovely filigree design printed onto a linen weave. The colours are all delicate combinations and the oatmeal colour of the background keeps this design looking really grown up.

Stockholm Stitch is a really useful texture cotton with reverse stitching detail in a range of gorgeous colours. Works well for upholstery, curtains and bedthrows!

Finally three delightful prints on a linen cotton drill in lots of delicious colour combinations. From left above, Sea Holly, Speedwell and Diamond Dot.

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Storybook fabrics

We noticed a real trend in fabric designs over the past year for illustrative designs with a hand-drawn quality so we thought we would show you just a few of our favourites. Although all these fabrics would make up beautifully into curtains, the real trick with using them is to see as much of the pattern detail as possible, so think about using them for roman blinds, cushions, light-weight upholstery, lampshades or even on a canvas as a piece of (reasonably priced!) artwork.

This blog first appeared on the Cambridge News website

This Pin-Up fabric by Pierre Frey was inspired by 1950’s style promotional brochures advertising holidays at the seaside and has a wonderful nostalgic quality to it.

Lovely and fresh, this is Arboretum print also from Pierre Frey, which was inspired by the botanical sketches often found in children’s school books.

Continuing with the botanical theme, this fabric by Osborne and Little called Grand Tour Vedute features framed images of eighteenth century wooded landscapes. This is available on pure linen or in a pure cotton semi-sheer which would look beautiful with the light filtering through.

For anyone with a penchant for maps, this fabric from Zoffany is perfect – a beautifully drawn map of nineteenth century London with detail right down to street level, this could be a real timewaster (or an educational tool, whichever way you look at it!)

And finally, this classic Lewis and Wood print was designed by the 17th Century naturalist Thomas Bewick, this design was taken from the first two volumes of the History of British Birds and it has an accuracy and level of detail that is really charming in print.

Pierre Frey www.pierrefrey.com

Pin-up £166.32  per metre
Arboretum £158.40 per metre

www.zoffany.com
London fabric £85 per metre

Osborne and Little  www.osborneandlittle.com
Grand Tour Vedute £48 per metre

Lewis and Wood www.lewisandwood.co.uk
Bewick Birds £61.20 per metre

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Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow – as featured in Cambridge News

With arctic winds sweeping in and snow flurries predicted over the next few weeks its time to batten down the hatches and make sure your home is winter proof for the cold months ahead.

This blog first featured in Cambridge News

Make your home as welcoming as possible by lighting up front doors and porches  to guide visitors in from the snow (or rain). Stock up on salt as well to make sure pathways and steps are clear of ice and snow.

Prepare for a flurry of muddy boots by setting aside an area for damp clothes and shoes. If your hallway is carpeted make sure you’ve got a heavy duty door mat to ensure visitors don’t bring the outdoors in with them.

If you’re lucky enough to have an indoor fire or woodburner stock up on supplies of pre-seasoned wood and kindling to last you through a few nights and store them in a smart log basket indoors to prevent endless trips out to the woodpile.

To ensure heat doesn’t escape under the door and out into the night a thick drape across your front door is very effective. Or, for a cheaper option, a draught excluder will help to trap heat indoors and prevent the night air from whistling in.

And finally, layer up. Heap lots of snuggly throws and blankets onto beds to keep them nice and cosy, ensure your windows are thickly curtained to keep out wintry drafts and pile your sofa high with cushions in rich tactile fabrics.

Image credits: The White Company, Fired Earth, Graham and Green, Lewis and Wood

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Wonderful wallpaper

We have been using lots of wallpapers in our projects recently and we are feeling rather inspired by the beautiful papers that are available. There are a few things to think about when using wallpaper – we tend to use a plain curtain with a patterned wallpaper and make sure that other fabrics in the room don’t fight with the pattern of the wallpaper; we generally choose a woodwork and ceiling paint that blends with the background of the wallpaper and most important of all, if you are considering using wallpaper for a feature wall, make sure there is a good reason for doing only one and if there isn’t, be brave and do them all – it nearly always looks better!

  

Lewis and Wood do some great wallpapers, and whilst they are known for their fabulous character and sporting wallpapers, they also do some really wonderful florals, damasks and toiles. Above is the divine Bolton Scroll (an Angel + Blume favourite) and Indienne which works beautifully with their matching fabric.

 

The Zoffany Gustavus collection is inspired by Gustavian Sweden and contains papers in soft blues, grey and green. It is absolutely beautiful and works well with Gustavian style furniture, or just on it’s own.

These are new papers out from Zoffany and when I saw them I was really blown away by them. They are in the Classic Damask range and whilst the whole range has great grandeur, it could be used very succesfully in smaller residences!

 

Andrew Martin has a super range of really fun wallpapers that work beautifully in boy’s rooms, studies or anywhere an injection of fun is needed. Above is Newton (left) and Pythagoras both in wonderful classy greys.

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