The Fabric of Time
Interior designer and owner of Cotton Mills, Helen Grundy-Smith, showcases her favourite fabrics for the new season.
There is no doubt that Sanderson is an iconic brand and its patterns have been known and loved since 1860 when it was founded by Arthur Sanderson. Its first guise was that of an importer of fine French wallpapers with premises in Chiswick at a time when wallpaper was seeing its heyday in the most fashionable of homes. Sadly, Arthur died three years later, leaving his sons to build the Sanderson empire. They were known for hand-drawn designs depicting the flora and fauna of the British countryside.
A devastating fire destroyed much of the CFA Voysey-designed extension in the 1920s and production was moved to Perivale where Sanderson branched out into the floral fabrics that have made this brand such a favourite. In 1940, Sanderson acquired the Arts and Crafts movement pioneer Morris & Co. and these giants of British interior design became intertwined. Zoffany and Harlequin joined the fold in 1987 and a shift to the interiors market saw British fabric printing brand, Standfast & Barracks be added to the portfolio 2000.
100 years on from its inception Sanderson began producing complementary fabrics and wallpaper and it is this combination that sets them apart as a luxury brand. In more recent times, paint and homeware has been added to the collection as well as bespoke collections in collaboration with acclaimed designers as well as an historic partnership with the National Trust. The Sanderson Design Group, as it is now known, is proud to ‘Bring the Beautiful into People’s Homes and Lives’.
This British textile brand was founded in 1982 by Jane Spencer-Churchill, who continues to run her own London-based interior design business, and was acquired by Colefax and Fowler in 1989. With modern living in mind the designs span both the contemporary and the traditional creating fabrics with a ‘contemporary elegance and artistic twist’. The patterns are bold with artisanal references and rich colours combined with detailed embroidery create opulent textures. The fabrics themselves are rich weaves meaning they hang beautifully.
While still inherently ‘British’ the approach is less formal and more fashionable as can be seen in the contemporary Atmosphere line which combines velvets, weaves and jacquards in luxurious graphics and abstract embroideries. Jane Churchill is also known for its colourful and playful range of children’s patterns.
Mark Alexander is part of The Romo Group and in contrast creates fabrics that remain true to the materials from which they are made. This results is a collection of timeless fabrics whose beauty comes from the simplicity of its design. The quality of each textile speaks for itself and these range from the finest natural fibres, cashmere, mohair, silk, couture-quality lambswool and linen. The colour palette is that of traditional pigments, natural dyes and those hues found in nature. Understated, yet elegant the fabrics are timeless and collections include collaborations with master weavers and renowned European linen mills.
Helen’s Favourites…
Timeless elegance
I love the Mark Alexander Echo Vellum. It’s a wide-width 100% linen sheer and its irregular gathered linen yarn gives it a contemporary look, whilst still feeling organic and natural. It adds a simple clean and crisp, beautiful feel to a window dressing. Available in three colourways, this style and type of fabric is utterly timeless and adds refined elegance to any interior.
Trending for 2023
For a conscious attitude, organic modern elements in interior fabrics, with raw materials such as hemp, linen and bamboo, is a continual and upcoming trend. Recycled fabrics will also feature heavily next year. Clarke and Clarke, part of the Sanderson group, have a 100% recycled polyester fabric, Tierra. It is part of their eco line and comes from Turkey. It is available in nine colours, although I particularly like the Pewter, and is great for upholstery, cushions and curtains.
Personal choice
Linen is deeply personal to me. If I could have everything entirely made from linen I absolutely would! However, there are dozens of other raw natural materials that I very much love. We source our table linens, bed linens, pillow cases and throws with the best linen flax sourced from Europe. Due to the gentle climate, this is where CULTIVER (our supplier) flax originates. The flax is then woven and manufactured into our products by a manufacturer in Portugal and China. Pre-washed for softness, CULTIVER linen has been designed to showcase the best of what this textile has to offer. An enzyme wash is used to accelerate the softening process so that the linen has a vintage feel from first use. The linen used to make our products is OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning it has met strict global criteria guaranteeing that no harmful substances have been used during the manufacturing process.
If you would like to book a personal interior consultation, you can do so here.
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