For me, the outstanding design is Elysium. The sumptuous fabric features water lilies and giant lily pads created as an all-over pattern, and printed on a luxurious velvet with a subtle horizontal slub pile, which is suitable for both curtains and upholstery. There are 2 beautiful wallcoverings to choose from; Elysium Mural, a beautiful vista of a lake with mountains in the distance and colourful aquatic plants in the foreground, viewed between two trees painted in a stylistic manner, and the more versatile Elysium, which is basically the foreground of the mural, re-designed as an overall pattern.
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Other noteworthy fabrics include Ravenala, a playful design of stylised plants and shells, embroidered with matt yarns and embellished with hand embroidered knots, and Calla Lily, a decorative design of aquatic plants and lily flowers, embroidered with a variety of stitches in matt and shiny yarns. Calla Lilly is also available as a wallpaper and is printed on a textured linen-look base paper, which gives it a real mid-century feel.
Before we move on, I must just mention Mythica, which is available as a printed linen fabric, a wallpaper and a mural, in which imaginary trees and plants with fantastical flowers and fruit grow from the banks of a meandering stream, set against an azure blue background or a beautiful dawn sky. Now, here’s the clever bit – both colourways of the mural are also available printed on a grasscloth which, although not inexpensive, creates the most wonderfully oriental look.
Alongside their main collections, manufacturers will always release several other, smaller, and sometimes less significant offerings. However, this season’s accompaniments from Osborne & Little are certainly not a box ticking exercise. There are a couple of very usable semi-plain weaves, entitled Lavenham and Samburu, both with a stain resistant finish, making them even more versatile, as well as 2 dual-purpose classic stripe fabrics, presented in a contemporary palette of complementary colours. Pisa Largo, a plain weave viscose and linen stripe with a beautiful natural texture, and Pisa Stretto, a satin block stripe with a subtle sheen (which takes me back to the Nineties – but not in a bad way!!!), woven with 59% organic cotton and polyester. Products certified to the Organic Content Standard contain organically grown content that has been independently verified at each stage of the supply chain, from the farm to the finished product.
The 2 remaining fabric books are little belters !!! Atacama is a luxurious collection of weaves featuring a wonderful array of yarns
such as wool, mohair (Mmmmmm!), linen and cotton combined with bouclé, velvet and fringe textures. These stylish plain and semi-plain designs are presented in a broad palette of neutrals, and natural shades of amber, ochre, indigo, terracotta and copper. Viviana is a fabulous collection of decorative upholstery velvets, comprising geometric patterns in cut and un-cut velvet. There are 9 characterful designs, presented in a vibrant colour palette which is distinctive to Osborne & Little. I was going to comment on my favourites, but they really are ALL stunning!
Which brings me to the final book – a collection of wallpapers entitled Regency Stripe. I have to tell you that when I first saw this book I thought “Oh well, I suppose there aren’t many stripes around at the moment, so this will be an ok addition”. How wrong could I be??? As I opened it my jaw dropped. Yes, they are regency stripes, but the main stripe in all of the 20 fabulous, contemporary colour combinations is a luxurious, smart-as-you-like flock. The wallpaper is made all the more striking and gorgeous by the addition of an accent pin stripe to each side of the flock, which really makes it pop. And the colourways – rich greens (1 of which is punctuated by a pink pin stripe), sumptuous blues (including metallic pin stripes), warm reds and chocolates, striking blacks and . . . look, I’m rambling, why not just come and see for yourself – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
JOHN BIDDELL - JOHN CHARLES INTERIORS 349 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B17 8DL
T. 0121 420 3977
www.johncharlesinteriors.co.uk LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
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John Biddell - John Charles Interiors
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