HOME EDITION
nlike the ephemeral nature of the blooms and perennials they typically depict, there is an enduring, timeless appeal to floral interior decorative touches – whether it’s your choice of wallpaper or the textiles used in soft furnishings. For a traditional look reminiscent of English country houses, you might favour a ditsy chintz exuding a gentle, feminine charm, or perhaps a more contemporary look showcasing bold botanical graphics to complement more urban interiors. Whatever your preference, the versatility of floral prints means they could be just the fresh finishing touch your home is missing. Coming up roses Although florals have long been a staple of interior design, in 2020 the ‘cottagecore’ trend truly reached its apex, along with other aesthetic buzzwords including ‘farmcore’ and ‘countrycore’. With it came an almighty floral resurgence, as pandemic- weary folk sought whimsical rural escapism during otherwise dark and uncertain times. Prioritising a dreamy look emanating cosy, countryside comforts to enshrine our personal sanctuaries, the bucolic nature of the trend had strong nostalgic overtones. It saw a revival in perhaps the most iconic of floral moments in interior history with the widespread designs of arts and crafts movement forerunner William Morris, who once wisely said: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” To this day, Morris & Co fabrics, wallpapers and accessories are still widely used, none more so than the iconic archival print, Strawberry Thief. Despite their Victorian origins, the timeless appeal of Morris & Co’s designs means they can either complement antiques and more traditional pieces as captivating backdrops, or create a lively contrast when combined with modern furnishings. A recent collaboration between the charity English Heritage and independent furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse represents another combination of
LEAF IT OUT The Bloomin’ Marvellous print (left) by Divine Savages was inspired by St James’s Park
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