Zoffany launches Fleur Rococo Weaves and Papers, Bargello Weaves and Verlaine / January 2008

Liz Cann introduces the Zoffany collections for January…

Zoffany are excited to introduce four stunning collections into their already extensive range of beautifully decorative fabrics and wallcoverings. These timeless new collections encompass a rich array of three archive inspired textile collections and a charming complementary wallpaper collection. Each of these botanically inspired designs have been faithfully reproduced from the original documents they were inspired by. The sources of these range from within Zoffany’s own archive all the way through to French museums, some of which date as far back as the 17th century.

‘Fleurs Rococo’ weaves comprises an elegant selection of embroidered brocades, each of which include a wealth of natural forms and the complementary ‘Fleurs Rococo’ papers is a mix of decorative wallpapers. These move away from the trend for statement wallpapers and towards designs that are still aesthetically stunning yet easy to live with. ‘Bargello Weaves’ offers a contemporary mix of needlepoint tapestries with an interesting colour palette to result in a collection of modern and versatile upholstery fabricsm and finally ‘Verlaine’ offers a sumptuous silk damask and a co-ordinating reversible plain, both perfect for drapes and accessories.

Each of the fabric designs have been woven in carefully chosen traditional qualities to include lampases, damasks, brocades and tapestries, which thoughtfully reflect the richness of skill and craftsmanship shown in the original fabrics. The designs within the wallpaper collection have been innovatively printed with a range of the latest techniques to introduce both textural and metallic finishes to the papers. The colour palettes within the collections range from the authentic and the traditional to more contemporary combinations which will introduce these historically inspired collections to a new audience.

Liz Cann, Design Director, Zoffany.

Fleurs Rococo Weaves

The five weaves that make up this collection were selected for both their glorious pattern and multi-coloured appeal. The designs have been updated from silk brocades and lampases, with some even taking their influence from embroidered dress fabrics. The inspiration for the collection ‘Oiseaux de Paradis’ is already one of Zoffany’s most popular designs. The Jacobean embroidery of stylised leaves, flowers and birds has been re-coloured for this collection in fresh new combinations including aubergine with gold and linden green with linen. ‘Fir Trees’ is interpreted from an early rare silk textile and shows a mountain scene including fir trees and waterfalls printed upon a luxurious texture of silk and cotton. ‘Cherry Blossom' is a lavish fil-coupe design originally taken from a charming floral brocade and shows delicately embroidered cherry fruit and blossom on a meandering branch. ‘Roses and Corn’ has been adapted from a silk brocade originally woven in Lyon, France in the 19th century, and has been updated by using heavier yarns to give a contemporary twist to give it a lustrous sheen. ‘Fleurs Rococo’ completes the collection and has been adapted from a block printed wallpaper. It shows a vibrant brocade of tulips, roses and wallflowers adroitly entwined with arabesques.

Fleurs Rococo Papers

The ‘Fleurs Rococo’ papers collection includes eight traditionally designed wallpapers, which range from a quintessential stripe to an oriental inspired metallic design. The damask ‘Fleur Rococo’ is a simplified update of a beautiful block-printed French wallpaper. ‘Fir Trees’ is a stunning scenic wallpaper taken from a rare 18th century French silk with surprisingly modern imagery. ‘Manchu’ is an update on a late 19th century hand-painted fine Chinese silk; the vibrancy and refined shading of the design has been recaptured using the latest printing techniques to make a rich wallpaper suitable for contemporary decorating trends. ‘Cherry Blossom’ is a charming design which uses blossom flowers arranged as an informal leaf trellis. ‘Meadow’ is a large scale version of its original design and comes in a number feminine pastel shades. ‘Starflower’ is an easy to use design with flowing structure to give an elegantly subtle character, typical of the period. ‘Roman Stripe’ is a classic stripe which has been given additional leaf detail to make it a natural companion for a floral weave or chintz curtains. Finally, ‘Periwinkle’ has been interpreted from a charming floral silk which was a more recent acquisition to the Zoffany Archive; the trailing flowers have been printed on a fine texture to capture the subtle lustre of the original fabric.

Bargello Weaves

This striking collection of richly coloured upholstery weaves has been designed to capture the hand stitched texture typical of early needlework and tapestry samples. Although the two patterned fabrics within the collection are based on traditional designs from museums and archives, the collection is highly contemporary in feel due to both its stylized design and broad array of interesting colourways. ‘Deerfield’ shows a Jacobean trail of leaves and flowers and ‘Bargello’ is an up to date geometric flamestitch. To complete the collection, there is also the coordinating ‘Bargello Plain’, which has a subtle flowing stitched effect to complement the background of the patterned designs.

Verlaine

‘Verlaine’ is a magnificent damask based on a Spitlefield silk design dated from the 18th century and has been woven in a luxurious silk and cotton taffeta quality. The design shows a four-over trail of stylised flowers and leaves with simplified flowing shapes to give the fabric an updated feel. To complement the damask is a beautiful double-sided plain woven in satin and sateen ‘Lotus’, where the face shows the shinier silk surface and the reverse the matter look of the cotton. The colours of the plain co-ordinate perfectly with the damask and both fabrics are available in a span of thirteen colourways, from traditional shades of gold and duck egg through to brave shades of emerald and magenta.

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