Historical romance blossoms for spring

Yorkshire Post - 20th February 2008 - Life and Style Section, Homes

Interiors

"Floral themes and historical inspiration set the tone for this seasons interiors at London Design Week", says designer Jamie Hempsall

At the beginning of March, hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, comes its Interior Design cousin, London Design Week. This is when all of the major manufacturers launch their new fabric and wall covering collections and we are delighted to give you a sneak preview of some of this season’s new offerings.

With the accent heavily on Spring, collections continue to feature large prints, but the mood is beginning to move away from the harsher 1960’s influenced geometric prints, to lighter and softer patterns and colours. The feel is bright and airy, with more than a hint of historical romance think eighteenth century, rather than twentieth. At the same time companies are also picking up on the general trend towards all things natural and including a wide range of organic finishes and colours.

Zoffany, who always feature items from their excellent archive, have a richer background in their Manchu wallpaper. Their sister company, Sanderson, have also introduce more muted florals in organic greens and greys in their Roseanna range.

In turn, Designers Guild has looked to the Versaille court of Marie Antoinette to produce their Florimund range. This epitomises the essence of the season by introducing flowing floral patterns in strong colours and combining them with light backgrounds to introduce warmth and sunlight into any home.

Spring blooms also feature in the Lorca range of fabrics and wallpaper distributed by Osborne & Little. The new Cattleya & Ninfa designs introduce bold colour in floral designs, but keep things feeling radiant by combining them with a light gold background. Cattleya is available as both a fabric and co-ordinating Wallpaper.

If Rococo romance is not for you, look to some of the natural linens that are being introduced in both plain and print. Prestigious Textiles have introduced the “Summer Garden” range, which combines strong floral prints, but in earth palettes (such as ochre, chocolate and cornflower) on 100% cotton. They have included a complimenting range of striped fabrics to provide a discrete contrast. These contemporary themes will work excellently in less traditional interiors and urban settings which are likely to look overdressed in eighteenth century chic.

If you are looking for an even plainer, but beautiful option in Linen, then you will find the classic Linara I & II ranges from Romo Fabrics difficult to beat. This range includes an incredible array of colours in a very practical finish that is easy to work with and soft to the touch.

So whatever your interior floral, natural and light is the way ahead this season.

Jamie Hempsall, one of the region’s leading interior designers, is an Associate of BIDA and a stockist of all the fabrics featured. For more information contact him on 01777 248463 or visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com