Ancient Fabric Pattern Gains Renewed Popularity: Evoking feelings of antiquity and historical depth within residential spaces.
Struggling with art at home can be tough, especially when your significant other and you have different tastes. So, I've resorted to something that bridges our gap - tapestries featuring verdure prints.
A throwback to the past, tapestries are making a big comeback today, and I can't help but adore this 600-year-old statement textile. These days, they're not just hanging on walls (though one is usually enough - unless, of course, you're living in a palace). No, now you can wrap your furniture and furnishings in the beautiful botanical motifs that these beauties offer.
I first noticed verdure prints popping up in designers' work a few years back, but it wasn't until I saw an upholstered sofa during Stockholm Design Week that I truly understood the trend's staying power. And I wasn't the only one feeling this way; designers I spoke to agreed.
"We're all craving more age and history in our homes," suggests Julia Miller, founder of Minneapolis-based studio Yond Interiors, who wrapped a throw pillow and ottoman in leafy verdure fabric in the living room pictured above. As more of us move into modern houses with typically less architectural character than earlier homes, the traditional connotations attached to verdure print fabrics can help add instant old-world charm.
Architects and designers often experiment with incorporating historical motifs into modern interiors. Shona McElroy, principal at Australian-based Smac Studio, thinks this is one way verdure print fabrics help achieve the blend of old and new. "Design always likes to take a fresh perspective on historical or antique motifs, and tapestries as upholstery, rugs, and pillows are a really nice way to incorporate something more traditional in a less heavy or overpowering way."
Styling verdure prints can be intimidating, given their recognizable and sometimes overwhelming visual impact. However, Julia notes that adding other vintage accessories can help it feel more at home. For Shona, this print is a perfect way to elevate neutral room ideas or even add interest to a maximalist vibe.
Perhaps the reprisal of verdure print has something to do with our growing appreciation for biophilic design - a design philosophy that seeks to connect people with nature within built environments. What better way to replicate a garden indoors than through verdure motifs?
I'd even argue that verdure print is a neutral pattern; it relates so closely to the natural world that it seems impossible for it to clash with anything.
Shop Verdure Print Decor
Here's a round-up of some verdure print furniture and decor that I love:
- Price: £98 These boxes are perfect for storing trinkets and tchotchkes in my bedroom, or disguising the unsightly-but-essential pieces in my living room.
- Price: £40/m2 I've always dreamed of papering a formal dining room in a verdant mural wallpaper, and this one from Graham & Brown would be the perfect fit.
- Price: £750 This pouffe from Sixth the Residence is the epitome of old-world luxury. Add it to any room in your home - it will work!
- Price: £998 This upholstered mirror from Anthropologie is not just a mirror; it's a work of art. It's also available in a smaller size, and customers call it a "show-stopper" and a "standout."
- Price: € 3,575 This smaller version of the sofa I saw in Stockholm is unfortunately only available in Europe, but I couldn't resist sharing it - I've got to dream, right?
- Price: £58 - £798 Back at Anthropologie, you can find this stunning rug, mirror, and boxes I've mentioned, as well as other pieces upholstered in verdure print, such as a dresser, sofa, side table, and drinks trolley.
Why does it all seem so expensive? Well, historical verdure tapestries were intricately-woven pieces of art, often involving labor-intensive weaving techniques and materials like silk and wool. As a result, modern takes on this beautiful trend can be both labor-intensive and pricey.
A good verdure print is more like an artwork than a traditional pattern. It doesn't repeat but continuously surprises each time you notice a new detail in a whimsical landscape scene or layered botanical motif. And that's all part of its magic - it tells a story. And now, you'll (hopefully) know how to read it.
- The resurgence of tapestries, such as those adorned with verdure prints, is a notable trend in interior design, adding an old-world charm to modern living rooms.
- Designers are incorporating historical motifs, like verdure print fabrics, into modern interiors as a means to achieve a seamless blend of old and new.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden, the verdure print trend continues to thrive, with its organic visuals reflecting the growing appreciation for biophilic design.
- Tapestries and furniture upholstered in verdure print offer an opportunity to infuse your living space with color, art, and interior design elements that reflect the natural world, resulting in a neutral pattern that effortlessly complements various lifestyle choices.
- From boxes and mirrors to rugs and sofas, there's a wide array of verdure print decor available for purchase, varying in price range, reflecting the labor-intensive weaving techniques and high-quality materials used in these timeless pieces.
- The price of authentic-feeling, high-quality verdure prints may be steep, but their one-of-a-kind artistry and storytelling capabilities make them worth the investment for many home and garden enthusiasts.
