VIBRANT DESIGNS

Barkcloth is a highly distinctive cotton with a nubby appearance typically featuring abstract designs or those depicting nature. At the height of its popularity, from the 1940s to the 1970s, it was largely used for soft furnishings and was embraced by designers such as

Lucienne Day, Howard Carter and Marian Mahler, along with prestigious companies like Heal’s. Still made today, its charm is enduring: ‘I love barkcloth’s versatility and the wide range of designs,’ says collector and seller Donna Flower. ‘Depending on weight, it can be used to make anything, from clothing to lampshades. Prices start at £10 for a small piece and go into the hundreds for more prestigious designs.’

Selection of 1950s and ’60s fabrics featuring Howard Carter’s Pansies in the background, and designs by Marian Mahler and David Whitehead 1950s leaves barkcloth

1950s hyacinth barkcloth

1960s trees barkcloth