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British upholstery stole my heart long ago, and I am confident it will forever be in its grasp. To create a cozy, layered home is to gravitate toward British interior designs and the oodles of textile designs and fabrics the designers work with and create.
As I have customized Le Papillon over the past going on seven years now, gradually, each project is completed, and in just about every project, at least one British fabric designer’s creation is included. Whether for the upholstery of the furniture, the window treatments, or the lampshades, I feel more at home with each detail that is added. Warm, welcomed, and engulfed in luxury, these designers are true masters of their craft.
Below, I have listed the eleven British textile brands I have worked with, along with three that I am drawn to and recommend, but have yet to purchase from. All of the brands offer swatches and samples, and many are available from design houses in the States. Simply look at each brand’s homepage and find out where their fabrics are sold in the country you live in. You can also reach out to the design houses directly, and they will let you know the best way to acquire their samples and, if you decide to purchase their fabric, where to purchase it (from them or a design house online or in your country if you do not live in the UK).
As I go through each interior designer on the list, I will share with you where their fabric was used in Le Papillon, and if you’d like to see and learn more about that particular fabric or the space, you can click through to tour the post (you will need to be a TOP Tier Member to read these posts as they are more private in nature, but they are thorough in the detail included).
Let’s take a look at the list.
Never calling himself an interior designer, Robert Kime had a skill for knowing how to find treasures and then decorate a home with them. Preferring to be called a collector or gatherer, Kime’s passion for what he did was shared with us all through his fabric designs. I had the opportunity visit his flagship boutique back in 2023 just a year after his death, and it was a visit I will always remember fondly. You can read the post below.
Read the post: Popping Into Robert Kime’s Atelier in Belgravia
Shared in the post touring the entire kitchen at Le Papillon, Robert Kime’s lampshade is seen here.
Nina Campbell is the doyenne of British interior design and was recently honored with an OBE. From furniture to teacups & saucers, to fabric, wallpaper and more, she continues to design and share her talents. I now have three of her fabrics in my home, and one is seen below in my office.
Nina Campbell’s velvet fabric was chosen for the window treatments in the office. Tour the full post and source this fabric in the post shared just below:
Herringbone Floors in TSLL’s Office, the Full Tour + Discover the Art of Parquet Flooring
Rita Konig comes from interior design heritage as her mother is Nina Campbell (mentioned above). However, she is making her own name, and while I admit I am a bit of a fan girl of hers, her taste mixes the classic with the modern whimsy. I have yet to incorporate her new wallpaper or fabric into my décor as it just became available in 2024, but I have ordered a few swatches of the green leaf, seen below (green), and did like it. Her line is through Schumacher (an American brand), but she is most definitely British.
Cabbage & Curtainrail, now known as Cabbage & Co.
One of the first fabrics I purchased for an upholstery project was from a small company run by Michaela Corrie. The brand is located in Cumbria, and draws inspiration from the animals and nature in the area. Having had the opportunity to communicate directly with Michaela whose passion and dedication she has for what she does was a special treat to work with. As displayed on the fabric I chose for the fireplace snug chairs (seen below), her designs are classic, yet playful. Look closely at the print – it is bundle of cows’ faces! How fun, but also so subtly and cheeky. Perfectly British.
Anna French’s fabrics were introduced to me by Véronique (interior designer who worked with me on many window treatment and upholstery projects in Le Papillon before moving back to Europe), and we chose one of her prints – Arbre – for the bench in my Boot & Basket room. If you are looking for crisp ginghams and playful, yet classic stripes, charming as well as sophisticated designs that are rooted in English heritage designs, this is a brand to explore.
Many of Jane Churchill’s fabrics are in the running for potential window treatments in the guest bedroom, and having had the opportunity to peruse her many fabric swatches, I am a fan of her often botanical, bold, yet elegant designs.
As I get closer to making decisions about the window treatments and headboard in the guest bedroom, I came across Rose Tarlow’s fabric and immediately was drawn to one of the designs for the curtains. While I won’t give anything away yet, I can say that one of the colorways of the print that is looking like it will be the one is included below.
As you will notice, the designs are rich, decadent and yet, subtle and quiet at the same time. To feel these fabrics is to understand why you will want to choose them. And if you order samples through their website, they are free. Mine arrived in about a week. As soon as I felt the fabric, and saw how it draped beautifully, I was convinced that indeed I had found what I have long been looking for.
There is a regality in the fabric designs from Marvic, and the textures are substantive, yet drape nicely. Their stripe, seen below, captured my eye for the guest bedroom, but then I soon realized it would work far better in the living room, above the console. Tour the full space below and see all three Roman shades in their fabric.
View the full home tour post: Le Papillon’s Cosy English Cottage-inspired Living Room + Styling the Frame TV (how to set it up and use your own art/images)
The fabric chosen for my Poirot armchair is a Colefax & Fowler embroidered design, and it, along with the Cabbage & Co. covered chairs were the first items to be upholstered and what a story it is as to how it all came together in the middle of the pandemic.
View the full tour post and read all the details here in the Curtains for a Reading Nook, English Cottage Cosy, TSLL’s Living Room post.
Currently in my home, I have two wallpapers from Veere Grenney, and while I don’t have any of his fabrics, the wallpaper designs are also available in fabric, and would be lovely for curtains. He is an interior designer based in London who heads an entire design house that is known for its balance of elegance, simplicity, style, and above all, comfort.
A contemporary fabric company that also adheres to timeless designs. Both fabrics for upholstery and ready-made fabric lampshades are available, and I chose one of their prints for my sofa as again, the balance of timeless with a touch of modern, just as my new house that is a Arts & Crafts design is as well seemed to be a perfect fit.
Take the full tour of the living room and see a full shot of the sofa here: Le Papillon’s Cosy English Cottage-inspired Living Room + Styling the Frame TV
A brand that regularly was in the running for fabric options while I worked with my friend Véronique Waldron, an interior designer who lived in Bend and knew her European brands was Designer’s Guild. My friend now lives in Spain and continues to work her magic in decorating customers’ homes, but it was she who introduced me to DG. Designer’s Guild has been around for decades and for good reason. They have a wide range of designs, in all sorts of colors and are a great place to start to begin to see all that is available.
Brands I Am Curious about but they aren’t yet in my home
Having pulled a few of Penny Morrison’s prints for pillows, lampshades and even blankets as I get ever closer to finishing the guest bedroom, I appreciate her dance with unexpected colors, traditional floral prints while also dabbling in the modern.
Elegant, subtle, rich and stunning, while being understated. Soane makes all sorts of items for the home décor project – furniture too, and while I haven’t purchased anything from them, I am drawn to their aesthetic.
With a wide variety of designs, many floral and botanical focused, they also, as you see below work with stripes and plaids, and playfully so as well.
Making decisions for our home projects can often feel overwhelming as the choices are vast; however, what I have discovered through my journey over the past seven years, is to give yourself time, gather up samples, place them where you will see them daily, and observe how you respond to them when you view them. Gradually, and sometimes all of a sudden, you will know which are best. As well, keep in mind that choosing one ‘star’ fabric or piece of furniture or feature takes the pressure off. Once you know which piece will be the star, find the fabric for it, and then look for the supporting fabrics (as well as wallpapers, paints, etc.) to work with that star. This will help immediately narrow down the choices as you have a decided color tone to work with. Mix large prints with small, vary your textures, and you are nearly there.
And most importantly, have fun with the process! While yes, the destination – finished space – is the aim, when I remind myself to enjoy the exploration, the choosing and putting it together, that too becomes a joy and the finished project all the more something to savor as I fondly remember how it all came to be.
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This is an excellent source, Shannon. Thank you for putting this impressive list together. Fabric is so important for the cosy look! Unfortunately, the one fabric shop in my town is rather disappointing.
I’m looking for velvet to use as needlepoint pillow backing. Which source here do you recommend please?
Cannon,
Tickled you enjoyed the post and found it helpful. When it comes to velvet, it depends on if you want solid colors or prints. Nina Campbell has gorgeous velvet prints as seen in the curtain in my office, but explore each of the other designers, and in your search on their site, filter for velvet fabrics and you will be able to see all of their options. Have fun exploring! You may just come across something you didn’t know you were looking for. 🙂
Oh! And on the note of not having a local fabric shop that has many options, in my own experience, working with Véronique who had many sample books from various brands, I still would find swatches online from the designers shown in this list that she didn’t always have, but then she could acquire them for me (this isn’t always necessary, but I wanted to work with her on these projects). So don’t be deterred by what is physically available where you live. 🙂
For a wide-range of velvets, especially solids, I would explore Colefax & Fowler, and while Schumacher is not on the list as it is an American brand, it works with many British designers for their collections such as Rita Konig and Veere Grenney, so I would search their site as well.
Dear Shannon,
this is very interesting and thank you for explaining and demonstrating what a difference fabrics make!
My pleasure! The right fabric elevates everything! And only each of us will know which one that is. I love look and then feeling fabrics, and I continue to be reminded with each sample that arrives, no matter how much I am drawn to its picture online, I need to feel it and see it in the light. Often the fabric is far thicker than I realize (so not ideal for certain projects, but perfect for others), or it is more sheer than I realize. Right fabric and right project will make the finished pieces shine. Have fun choosing! 🙂
Hi Shannon, thank you for the detailed intro to these designers. I have always especially loved the fabrics that you selected for your fireplace chairs and armchair; the colors are beautiful and how fun to know that one of the patterns contains a whimsical cow arrangement. Such nice food for thought and inspiration. Your home is so lovely and enjoyed this deeper dive into your selections and decision-making process. Thank you!
Thank you Vickie. You are very kind to say, and if you ever have questions along the way, reach out to me any time. There are many great websites online that source all of the brands (or many) that you will find here individually. While prices don’t vary too much, sometimes they do have great sales, and also, sometimes those general online shops will provide the samples for free, so shop around. This is often why it takes me more time, but it is always worth waiting until you find what you love and then invest in it when the budget and timing (and sales opportunity :)) fits best!
Thank you for sharing these with us. I can’t find one design that I don’t like! You’ve done a lot of homework and I’d like to investigate some of these further. Thanks again for saving me lots of time. 🙂
My pleasure Veronica 🙂
Wonderful list and your research has resulted in a curated home. That is not easy to do. It is my understanding that the English home, comfortable, colorful in some ways, muted in others, is the result of such curation. Specifically because several generations have occupied the same space and made it their own through decades of living. Window coverings and furniture, not all purchased at one time, blend well but do not match in color or print. I remember touring each of your rooms thus far and I am anxiously looking forward to the guest room and hallways. We spend so much time in our homes, they should make us feel safe and happy.
Thank you for sharing these observations. Indeed, it is a balance, isn’t it. A subtle one to the eye, but intentional by the chooser (interior designer or owner). And your point about history and handing down homes and interiors, that’s it, isn’t it. Thank you for sharing this background. The longevity of furniture when well made and cared for really can stand the test of time and pass down through generations.
As I couldn’t agree more – the feeling of safety, comfort and happiness – it is possible with our decorating choices, even if it does take time. Thank you for your patience in waiting on the guest bedroom. I am eager to have all of the wood removed after these next couple of days so I can begin to visual the space again and make some final decisions. 🙂 Soon! Soon!
I love how you’ve curated Le Papillon with such beautiful, luxurious fabrics. It’s such a treat to see all of the stunning reveals of the various areas in your home that you’re so generous to share with us. It’s uncanny how you’ve hit so many things that have been on my mind and to-do list this of late. In particular, I am looking to redo a really yucky and frumpy coat/catchall/utility closet in my living room. The one thing I realized that would make this space fabulous is an accent wall of beautiful wallpaper with a beautiful paint color for the side walls (and maybe ceiling?!). You’ve inspired me…again. Thank you, Shannon!
Yes, yes, yes! to painting the ceiling! You’ve got this Adrienne! I am excited for your project to come together. Thank you for your comment. You brought a smile! 🙂
Expect to receive some “what do you think of this?” pictures via email soon!!
I look forward to it! ☺️
Last winter I did over my powder room and selected a wallpaper from Sanderson– I couldn’t be more pleased at the quality! The selected collection was Caspian in a light beige with ivory outlines of cantalope design. the ivory marble floor in this tiny room blends perfectly. I am so happy with it. Shipped directly from England, I had to pay the tariff but it was well worth it.
Robin
That is AWESOME to hear Robin! Thank you so much for sharing and tickled for you! Your combinations sounds beautiful and complementary. Thank you for sharing all of your experience, and I couldn’t agree more with the investment being worth it. Congratulations!
Wonderful list! I am just starting to redecorate a home I purchased 3 years ago. The first will be my office and I can’t wait to get started. Thank you for so many wonderful resources and ideas!
Enjoy the journey of bringing it all together. The time and patience will pay off, and you will discover a lot about yourself and your home along the way which is enlightening, unexpected and enriching. While there are oodles of choices, begin with how you want to feel when you are in your office and let that be your guide. You will not steer yourself wrong if that is your compass, no matter how off-trend it may be in some or many choices. 🙂
Good morning Shannon. This is a very helpful list going forward. Another company I am drawn to is Susie Watson, for fabrics, furniture etc. The store in Harrogate I visited is beautiful. Best wishes, Sue, England.
Thank you for sharing these brands Sue. I am always interested to learn about new-to-me designers as that is how I learn about Cabbage & Co. Tickled you enjoyed this list! May putting your new cottage together be full of exploration and choices that bring a smile and much comfort to your sanctuary. 🙂
Lovely and unexpected topic…I love this post! You take us into a world of such joy, the power of weaving yarns that capture forever (or until they fray!) the colors of gardens, colors of seascapes…colors and textures of anything we most want to summon up and see all around us. I’m old enough now haha to say things like how much I miss the constant presence of fabric shops, dishes too, and all those physical home expressions which once completed any stroll in a main street milieu. Thank you for forefronting ways in which fabrics are now at our fingertips!
Just a note, your home as seen through its fabrics is even more beautiful. To pause and enjoy visual stories you are creating in each room and in walking the whole home, well, it’s just spectacular. I love your blending of the subtle, bold, quiet, and flat out thrilling, all in seamless harmony. Can’t wait to see your next textile excitements!
Liz, Thank you for sharing your memories. Stepping into such shops with my own mother as a young girl, upon reflection, definitely deepened my appreciation for these items as I became an adult. Grateful they were around.
Thank you for your very kind compliments. It means a lot, more so than I can say as I am a lover of stories and being able to share them is my joy. Thank you for reading them in this post. 🙂 And now how to the guest bedroom! I look forward to sharing once it all comes together (thank you all for your patience :)).
Hi Shannon,
Thank-you for this post. You have exceptional taste! I really like the Cabbage and Curtainrail fabric. I remember your original post when you first re- upholstered your chair. I seem to remember some darling pillows, too if my memory serves me correctly. I plan on looking into their fabrics. I have a chair that needs re-upholstering. British Week has been a pure delight!💗☕️🇬🇧
Jamie,
You have a great memory! Yes! The swallow/bird printed pillow for the sofa is from Cabbage & Co. and was a design Michael created during the pandemic of the music and dance she saw and heard while tucked away in her home. While she doesn’t have oodles of designs, what she has created is very bespoke and personal, each with a story of where and how she was inspired by the countryside of Cumbria which is makes it all the more special if it speaks to you as well.
Tickled you are enjoying this week and enjoy choosing the fabric for your chair! It will look smashing when it is finished. 🙂
Rita Konig is the best! Love her work.
Absolutely adore her. 🙂 Matter-of-fact, but also have a great sense of humor, yet expert in her field and is confident in her taste that is uniquely her own, but still very classic while aware of modernity and necessity in 21st century living.
Smashing list, Shannon, and it has been such a joy and a pleasure to follow along as you have so beautifully curated your lovely home and shared your discoveries unstintingly with us, you have truly been, and remain, an inspiration. Can’t wait to view the latest re-imagined spaces! xx
Thank you for your kind compliments Rona. It has been a joy to be able to share as I have learned so much along the way and am grateful for my teachers (Véronique, Rita Konig (in her online course) and just viewing the talents of other decorators and how they bring a space together). The learning so much of the fun as well as the outcome. Yet again a reminder to savor the journey! 🙂 Thank you again for your comment. xo
I love British interior design & I enjoyed this post so much. Thank you for sharing 💕
My pleasure Isel. 🙂
I dropped my dining room chairs JUST this week to be re-upholstered! While I still love the fabric I chose, this will be a great resource for other projects! The Jane Churchill fabrics look exquisite!
So excited for your chairs to returned! It is such an exciting time when the upholstery is at work, we’d made the decisions and now, we just have to wait! Thank you for sharing Emily. 🙂