Friday 22 February 2013

Papering Over The Cracks

Wallpapers- Past and Present- part 1

I love colour and pattern and I am thrilled to see the revival of wallpaper to replace the various shades of white which seemed to be in every chic home and interior magazine. 

 I think that a statement wall can give so much warmth and character to a room. There are some beautiful bespoke wallpapers produced by companies like Clare Coles, Fromental and Cole and Son, whom despite trading since 1875, still produce contemporary designs working with top designers like the queen of fashion- Vivienne Westwood.  
I have been looking at designers past and present and the father of contemporary wallpaper in my opinion is William Morris, an artist and textile designer but also a writer and libertarian socialist (A busy man indeed). Unbelievably, his wallpaper and fabric designs have never been out of production since he produced his first wallpaper in 1864.
William Morris was unable to find the textiles and furniture he wanted to decorate his own home, so decided to design them himself .(As you do). Together with the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood including Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti they formed a small firm in 1861 to sell the products they designed, which was to become Morris and Company


William Morris Wallpaper
Between 1873 and 1890, at least 93 wallpaper designs and over 143 repeating fabric designs were produced by his design studio. He was also a major contributor to reviving traditional textiles, arts, crafts and the concept of the craftsman as we know it. 
Based on naturalistic forms and patterns taken from drawings of plants and flowers found in his own gardens, his wallpaper designs are timeless appealing to a wide range of people and suitable for many different types of homes .The simplicity of his work is still influencing modern day design.  This is some achievement, I am  a huge fan myself..  
Today Morris & Co. guarantees authentic versions of those designs alongside new interpretations, using innovations in printing and weaving technology to create up-to-date fabric and wallpaper designs with timeless appeal. In 2011 a stunning collection was produced to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Morris & Co. During his own time because of the techniques used his designs were too expensive for ordinary people.  I am sure he would be very pleased to see his designs today are now attainable to all and still as popular.  www.william-morris.co.uk
I will leave the last few words to Mr Morris
All rooms ought to look as if they were lived in, and to say a friendly welcome ready for the incomer. If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of art and the thing most longed for, I should answer a beautiful house...”
Sara x


Thursday 14 February 2013

In The Beginning

Hello, this is my first post and my first attempt at blogging. I have read a couple of books on the subject spent several weeks looking at other peoples blogs (although that was great fun to be honest) and I don't really think I can put  this off much longer. So here goes!

I want to share all my favourite things with you, by trade I am a retailer,designer and artist and by default now a photographer and writer. ( Of sorts anyway) Like many creative folk I have lots of interests and usually have several projects on the go at the same time. But the one thing which has always been constant in my life is my love of one-off and unique things. I wouldn't as a teenager wear the same school uniform as the other girls and customised my clothes which were usually second hand from Leeds Market or some of my Grandmothers stylish friends gave me some of their  favourite clothes and shoes from their younger days.

Bespoke for Life and Style

I could give you the official version of the word bespoke, but that would be a bit boring and I am sure you already know what it means. My understanding of the word (sorry in advance if not 100% accurate) is too be custom made, personal, made to last and a perfect fit. I would add to that uniqueness. So I want to praise all things bespoke, created with love and that have lasting appeal.  
I am aiming to introduce to many of wonderful people I have discovered over the years who produce wonderful original pieces of work, be it fashion, home and art. And I hope to be able to get them to come and tell you about themselves, their work and what inspires them. Many thanks for joining me and I hope to be able to talk to you again.

Have a lovely day

Goodbye for now
Sara x