There is something wonderfully endearing about folk art. Full of colour, character and individuality, it celebrates the beauty of handmade objects and the skill of traditional craftsmanship.
At our Design Studio, we love seeing traditional techniques reinterpreted in unexpected ways. From richly patterned textiles to unusual combinations of colour and pattern, it is often the smallest details that bring personality to a room.
In the Drawing Room at Warren Street Hotel, carved explorers by Henry Neville Wood, a master woodworker from the Isle of Man, bring a sense of storytelling to the space. Drawing on the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement, his distinctive creations celebrate the skill and individuality of the maker.
This love of craftsmanship extends to our textiles. Our collection of patchwork animals at Shop Kit Kemp brings together contrasting fabrics, bright colours and a variety of patterns, with each piece having its own distinctive look.
Patchwork has a long history, rooted in the tradition of making use of treasured fabric remnants and turning them into something new. Today, it remains a wonderful way to combine different colours, patterns and textures.
Appliqué is another favourite way to add interest to an interior. We love how appliqué brings together different fabrics and textures to create something quite individual. Even the simplest motifs can take on a new dimension through unexpected combinations of colour and pattern.
And, of course, we cannot forget Friendly Folk, our fabric with Andrew Martin. Inspired by 15th- and 16th-century tapestries, its bushy-tailed creatures peek through hedgerows, flowering trees and rolling English hills. Drawing on traditional folk art and storytelling, the design brings a fresh take on these historic influences.
The most memorable interiors are often those filled with pieces that have a story to tell. Whether perched on a bookshelf or nestled among cushions, these little characters bring colour, individuality and a welcome touch of humour to a room.