Continuing our series celebrating the evolution of colour and pattern, we explore how trends and historical influences have shaped British interiors, this time exploring the rich seam of inspiration provided by archive material
FEATURE EMMA J PAGE
ARCHIVAL PRINTS
Pattern has formed the backbone to our interiors for centuries, and just like fashion, there are colourways, motifs and emblems that prove a returning source of inspiration for designers, makers and fabric houses. Britain has absorbed a number of global influences – from India to the Far East – resulting in designs that have become part of its decorating DNA, whether chintz, damask or chinoiserie. In the late 19th century, the Arts and Crafts movement, co-led by William Morris, spearheaded the revival of British textile arts and methods of production. Today, that legacy lives on, thanks to fabric and wallpaper stalwarts, including Morris & Co, Colefax and Fowler, Bennison and Sanderson, among others. Their rich archives provide inspiration for reissues, often with a fresh twist via simplification, rescaling or recolouring. “As a nation, we have a deep relationship with pattern, so these historic designs can create a sense of security,” believes Ruth Mottershead of Little Greene, which has a number of wallpapers inspired by archive patterns from the National Trust. “They also add a layer of decoration that creates a design statement in both period and contemporary spaces.”
Archival revival
Whether historic wallpapers, paintings, textiles, tapestries, hand-painted motifs or architectural detailing, there is inspiration everywhere when it comes to pattern. Large-scale florals, small-scale geometrics, bright colours or neutral tonal designs are all included in the nation’s rich back catalogue of decorative emblems. In recent years, interiors have shown renewed appreciation for classic patterns, often with a creative twist. “They speak to us from a period when craftsmanship was central to the design process, before mass production took over, and today this level of detail and artistry is understood and appreciated,” says James Watson of 1838 Wallcoverings, whose latest collection is based on archive documents from the V&A. “Plus, during uncertain times, we often look for the comfort and reassurance of familiarity, which these designs evoke.”
Many of these archival materials are avidly collected by interior designers as well as textile specialists. “Skilled craftsmen took time to create them, so they are thoroughly considered and
