// John Biddell
ordinary housewives of the rich industrialists of the day, in which she transformed them into sex goddesses. I love her work, and have a large painting of hers on my living room wall. Of course it’s only a print, but I was lucky enough to see the original when the Royal Academy of Arts held an exhibition of her works in 2004. But I digress . . .
Three of the other new offerings from Osborne & Little team up so well with the Fantasque collection (no surprise there of course), that I’d like to bracket them together for you. Garnier, named after Charles Garnier, the architect of the opulent mid-19th century Paris Opera, is a collection of épinglé, chenille and velvet with an architectural theme, Hespera Velvets, a collection of seven versatile velvets, mostly taking their names from nymphs in Ancient Greek mythology, and Costiera, a collection of sheers and floating curtain fabrics with names taken from the spectacular Amalfi coast south of Naples (known in Italian as La Costiera Amalfitana). All offer the compulsory neutral shades we’ve been so used to in recent years, augmented by rich and beautiful blues, greens and reds. The design that leaps out at me is Astoria, from the Hespera Velvets collection, a dramatic printed chevron alluding to the landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel of the early 1930s. I suppose it would really, as not only is it an Art Deco design, but a few years ago I was fortunate enough to realise a life’s ambition and stay in that very hotel (my lovely wife treated me !!!).
The last new release in Osborne & Little’s arsenal I’d like to mention is a delightful collection of weaves called Ragtime. The latest in their line of collaborations with well-known designers, Osborne & Little have teamed up with Margo Selby,
a woven textile designer who produces exceptional quality fabrics, rugs and accessories, which blend effortlessly with both contemporary and classic interiors. The collection pays tribute to the greats of ragtime and jazz with a palette which includes distinctive colour combinations: grape and chartreuse with duck egg, indigo with burnt orange and teal, mandarin with coral and ice.
Before I finish (which will need to be soon, as the Editor gets ratty with me if I go on too long), I must just mention the new season’s releases from Lorca. Aradonis is a typically Lorcan offering comprising a collection of sumptuous fabrics which take their inspiration from the decoration and architecture of the Eastern Mediterranean. Signature colours from the distinctive Lorca palette such as fuchsia, lavender, orange and turquoise are blended with apple, hyacinth, saffron, linen, taupe and black. There is also a lovely book of upholstery co-ordinates called Aradonis Weaves. The designs in Aradonis are all good, but the use of silver thread in the jacquard floral trail of Natalia is an inspiration, and makes it an absolute stunner !!!
/ 133
All Photography courtesy of Osborne & Little
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156