GP&J Baker’s Ann Grafton shares the story behind the new Homes & Gardens III collection
Q What set the ball rolling for this collection?
This was a very close collaboration with the Homes & Gardens editorial team. We started by asking them to put together the key design trends they felt were prevalent. What came across was a strong focus on craft, including block printing and hand embroidery, as well as a desire for natural linens and cottons. The other trend they identified was what we described as ‘organic geometry’, a subtle tribal style with influences that range from Moorish patterns to South American designs. Underpinning all these themes was a desire to offer a comfortable, joyful living experience that would enhance people’s lives.
Q How did you translate these ideas into a collection?
Our studio then researched designs that worked within the brief; some of these were inspired by documents in our archives – the inspiration for the block prints, for example, came from the old blocks from our mills in
India. We started off with 30 to 40 suggestions and these were whittled down to a collection of 14 fabrics that balances hero designs, including large-scale patterns and embroidered fabrics, with neat, small-scale block prints and plain linens.
Q Tell us a bit more about the colour palette.
We wanted the colours to be fresh and relaxed, so there are indigos, delphinium blues and whites mixed with some spice colours and hot fuchsia pinks. The concept is that these fabrics can be layered throughout a home. For example, indigo kitchens are currently very fashionable, so you might have the blues and whites in the kitchen, and then the more neutral palette in a sitting room to create a calm, serene space. Meanwhile, the bolder colours, such as the fuchsia pinks, would work beautifully in a guest room. From the outset, versatility was key.
Q Can you discuss the braids in the collection?
Embellishment was another trend that came up: I think we have moved away from quite a tailored style to one that is individual and special. We designed two braids to complement the fabrics and I can envisage these in any number of guises: they could be used on the leading edge of a curtain or the bottom of a blind to embellish an inexpensive plain fabric, or they would work beautifully applied as stripes across a plain linen or cotton. They look terrific on cushions or headboards or even on the edge of a squared seat cushion of a sofa. The options are endless and the result is highly personal.