EYE ON DESIGN
Carley Bean, head of design at Cole & Son, shares the inspiration behind the new Botanical collection
What influenced the Botanical range?
One of the things I’ve always loved about the English landscape is its distinctive seasons, each offering its own unique array of colour and variety. We didn’t have to look hard for inspiration; from local forests to annual flower shows such as RHS Hampton Court, where we were as much in awe of the magnificent blooms as we were of the structure of their arrangements. We also delved into our vast design archive, as flora and fauna plays a major part of Cole & Son’s design history.
How did you translate this research into wallpaper?
First we start sketching - playing around with scale, composition and form. We finally decided on 15 designs that paid homage to our British roots. Once we have the designs we then we start developing our colour stories. The Botanical colour palettes are inspired by the ever-changing landscape and include everything from the pastel promise of early spring and the dazzling vibrancy of summer hues, through to the autumnal tones of turning leaves and crisp, cool colours of frosted winter.
Any advice for choosing wallpaper for a period home?
Make the most of beautiful architectural details. Wallpaper looks as great on four walls as it does framed in panels. Dado rails and panelling also give the opportunity to play with different scales and patterns. Try using wallpaper to add intrigue and interest to forgotten spaces such as the ceiling, too. A mirrored or textured pattern will draw the eye upward, and for a more contemporary feel don’t be afraid to mix period features with modern design.