Author: Rhoda Parry

From Arts & Crafts to Indienne, these treasured designs epitomise timeless flair for today’s modern decorator.

For Autumn/Winter 2024, Warner House releases a curation of prestigious heritage fabrics and wallpapers.

‘For this fourth collection of the Archive Prints series, we have honed in on one-of-a-kind designs that truly sum up the spirit of Warner House,’ says Lee Clarke, owner and director of Warner House. ‘Referencing three of our historical textile touchpoints – Arts & Crafts, Chintz and Indienne – these elite creations are being released to evolve our existing collection and introduce new options for our customers and clients.’

Here we explore their background, the colourways available and how you can use them to create bold and adventurous interiors. All designs are printed on a linen/cotton blend fabric with an elegant handle and drape and are well suited to all soft furnishing projects including upholstery, window treatments and cushioning, alongside a quality wallpaper.

Windrush

Windrush is a modern classic by the iconic William Morris. One of the key designers who collaborated with Warner and Sons in the late 19th century, Morris embarked on a series of patterns inspired by tributaries of the River Thames between 1881-1883. The ‘Windrush’ pattern is part of this series. The exclusive pattern follows Morris’s love of medieval textile designs and features large flowerheads that resemble peonies overlapping with smaller acanthus style flowers and plants, intertwined with scrolling, stylised foliage. Available in Sage, Sky, Gold, Natural, Navy and Red, this design has the renowned Arts & Crafts block printed look in its DNA and is able to feel both classic or contemporary depending on its usage.

Introduce Windrush Navy to walls complemented by echoes of the same colourway on footstools and couch cushions. Curtains are also a statement soft furnishing for this statuesque textile, alongside textural plains such as the wool Ambrogio Atlantic and the velvet Downham Sienna.

Birdsong

A French chintz pattern dating back to the early 19th century, Birdsong is a graceful pattern of free flowing birds amongst flowers and branches. Abundant with tropical detail, a bird of paradise with its distinctive fancy plumage is the central motif amongst other rare species. Entwined with exotic trailing-style orchids, this trail hums with evocative flora and avian life.

Choose from three colourways of Ivory, Pink and Sky, to create romantic settings that speak of French elegance and poise. Curtains and Roman blinds will showcase the pattern beautifully, and are especially at home in bedrooms or bathrooms. While a hero headboard in an elaborate curved design will act as a standout focal point. Wallpapering will envelope the space with an oh-so-chic ambience.

Pair with white painted, chateau chic furniture and scroll armed seating for a cultivated style match, alongside soothing paints such as New Mills and Delphina.

Fleurs Indienne

Spice trail elegance is at the heart of this Indienne floral design, dating to the 17th century. First printed by Warner in the 1960s, Fleurs Indienne is an evocative floral trail with the Jacobean sensibility of intricate and graphic flowerheads. It has that quintessential modern twist on a classic that Warner House prides itself on.

Seven clean and contemporary colourings are available in Azure, Coral, Sky, Spice, Gold, Indigo and Multi, allowing you to be creative with handsome and moody or upbeat and folky pairings.

Choose Fleurs Indienne Azure to inject sophistication into open plan living and dining areas. Its fresh and delightful aqua blue and spring green combination works perfectly alongside grounding, earthy brown cabinetry, painted in Spiced Clove. Complement with a small print wallpaper such as Lilou Leaf and/or a geometric coordinate weave such as the charming, Greek Key Woburn Aqua.