In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Florals as the foundation of an entire design scheme could be considered a fearless, even iffy, proposition—unless you’re Liz Williams. The Atlanta-based designer, who founded her eponymous firm in 1998, knows her fabric history. And when a pattern has stolen the spotlight for more than a century, she won’t hesitate to make it her focal point.
“As I’ve been brainstorming ways to convert my grown daughter’s bedroom into a welcoming guest retreat, I keep coming back to Lee Jofa’s iconic Hollyhock hand-blocked chintz—a fabric I’ve always dreamed of using,” says Williams. “I can just imagine it as curtains, framing a canopy bed.” The lush arrangement of frilly blossoms and leafy branches—which requires 38 individual hand-carved wooden blocks to create—anchors her verdant flat lay. To complement this classic bouquet, she added a lacelike wallpaper with little white blooms on a powdery cornflower background, and a botanical linen whose curling tendrils unfurl against a rich shade of sage. But red roses, pink tulips, yellow daffodils? Nowhere to be seen.
“It’s no secret that I love green, especially when it’s accented with blue,” the designer continues. Her preferred palette connects the rest of the patterns, including a turquoise geometric, a pleated pistachio ikat and a mossy animal print. Furnishings in faux bamboo and walnut introduce warmth, while bullion fringe and velvet trim ornament the mix. For a final breath of fresh air, a bright-eyed ceramic frog leaps into the scenery. “The mood feels layered and lively, comfortable but not predictable, traditional with a twist,” says Williams. Here, she shares the details about each of her selections—and her 50 shades of green.
1. FOLLY WALLPAPER IN YONDER BY SCHUYLER SAMPERTON
“Perfect for moments when a whisper of pattern is needed. It pairs beautifully with the Hollyhock chintz, and stands on its own as a surprise accent in an adjacent bathroom.”
2. THETFORD TOLE LANTERN BY VAUGHAN
“With its Spanish-inspired curves and hand-painted leaf detailing, this lantern feels both feminine and architectural. The soft distressed green makes it wonderfully versatile.”
3. NAUTIQUE EMBROIDERED FABRIC IN GREEN/BLUE BY OSCAR DE LA RENTA FOR LEE JOFA AT KRAVET
“Embroidery gives such richness to a scheme. This stripe ties together the palette with elegance and texture.”
4. SMALL FROG PLANTER IN VICTORIA GREEN BY JEAN ROGER PARIS AT KRB
“Whimsical and charming, these ceramic frogs date back to the 1960s. I found this one at KRB in New York, and it makes me smile every time I see it. It’s great for holding succulents, candy or keys.”
5. SULTANA FABRIC IN SAGE BY CAROLINA IRVING TEXTILES AT JAMES SHOWROOM
“Airy and delicate, this print from Carolina Irving adds a note of subtle romance. It would be lovely for a pillow or light drapery.”
6. ASTRID BULLION FRINGE IN LARKSPUR BY SAMUEL & SONS
“Bullion fringe always feels luxurious. This version pulls in every hue of the scheme—perfect for finishing the ends of a bolster pillow.”
7. UPHOLSTERED SCALLOP SLIPPER CHAIR IN INSIDE OUT NATURAL WITH NY BLUE LINEN TRIM BY OOMPH
“A feminine silhouette with just the right amount of whimsy. I’d cover it in Elizabeth Eakins’s Charms fabric, finished with green trim for contrast.”
8. SAN BERNARDINO BROADLOOM IN MOSS BY KRAVET
“Every room needs an animal print—or at least I think so! This moss green version grounds the scheme beautifully, and I suspect it will become one of my go-to rugs.”
9. ANTIQUE TONGZHI-PERIOD BLUE-AND-WHITE PORCELAIN PLATE
“This 19th century plate adds both grace and history to the mix. I never tire of the storytelling power of blue-and-white porcelain—and am fortunate to have inherited a collection of these!”
10. TELEPHONE TABLE IN LETTUCE GREEN BY MILES REDD FOR THE LACQUER COMPANY
“Though few of us use landlines anymore, I adore a telephone table beside a chair for books and drinks. This lacquered version, designed by my old classmate Miles Redd, is both charming and functional.”
11. CHARMS FABRIC IN ICE BLUE BY ELIZABETH EAKINS
“The perfect blue—fresh, crisp and endlessly versatile. I’d upholster the Oomph slipper chair in this fabric, trimming it in green to really make the color pop.”
12. FAUX BAMBOO FOUR-POSTER CANOPY BED BY JASPER FURNITURE AT MICHAEL S. SMITH
“Faux bamboo has long been a love of mine. This bed feels equally at home in a polished city suite or a breezy coastal retreat, blending seamlessly with wicker, lacquer or rich wood finishes.”
13. DORSET VELVET SCALLOP TAPE IN LEAF BY SAMUEL & SONS
“The scalloped trim adds a soft but tailored finish. I envision it edging curtain panels in the Hollyhock chintz—or even layered in double rows for a more bespoke statement.”
14. SHIRRED PLEAT LAMPSHADE IN GREEN IKAT BY EDGAR-REEVES LIGHTING
“A well-chosen lampshade can completely elevate a room. This ikat pleat plays beautifully against the marbled base of the Leila lamp, adding subtle, unexpected detail.”
15. LEILA TABLE LAMP IN MARBLEIZED THYME BY HWANG BISHOP
“Handmade in Rhode Island, each of these lamps is slightly unique, even in a pair. I love that balance of individuality and harmony—it’s a hallmark of truly artisanal design.”
16. HOLLYHOCK HANDBLOCK CHINTZ IN BLUE/LEAF BY LEE JOFA AT KRAVET
“Lee Jofa’s iconic 1922 Hollyhock chintz, now refreshed in a blue-green palette, is a timeless favorite of mine. Its layers of color and painterly blooms never fail to bring a room to life.”
17. FELIX FABRIC IN TURQUOISE BY CLAREMONT AT WARNER TEXTILE ARCHIVE
“A bold printed linen designed in 1935 that still delivers a crisp, modern jolt. I’d love it as shams or a tailored bench cushion.”
18. FRENCH THREE-TIERED TABLE BY ROSE TARLOW MELROSE HOUSE
“An elegant bedside companion, this three-tiered table with brass accents offers presence and practicality. The pecan walnut finish is sumptuous, and a matching pair would look stunning flanking the bamboo bed.”
19. 19TH CENTURY MINI TORTOISESHELL TRINKET BOX WITH IVORY FEET
“This little heirloom, gifted to me by my parents years ago from a Paris flea market, adds warmth and history to the scheme. I’ve always been drawn to tortoiseshell, and its patina tells a story all its own.”
20. LOOM WEAVE WOVEN FABRIC IN GREEN BY KIT KEMP AT CHRISTOPHER FARR CLOTH
“This geometric pattern injects a modern Bauhaus edge, balancing the more traditional florals and trims. I love how it keeps the flat lay feeling layered and collected rather than overly coordinated.”
