A lighthearted adventure into childhoods past, the eight whimsical wallpaper designs in this collection are inspired by a broad range of beloved artifacts and artworks found in cherished historic houses, from Somerset to Cumbria, conserved and cared for by the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Charming objects such as tin cars and children’s wooden games have been painstakingly reinterpreted by the Little Greene Design Studio, which transformed the precious mementos into wallpaper designs that capture all the spirit and character of the originals. The collection also directly references a fabric print and original artworks, including several by renowned children’s book author Beatrix Potter.
In conversation with Business of Home, Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene, shares the stories behind bringing the new wallpaper collection to life.
What was the starting point for this collection?
Charming objects such as tin cars, children’s wooden games and even a mechanical toy have been meticulously reinterpreted by the Little Greene Design Studio, which transformed these physical artifacts into wallpaper designs that capture all the spirit and character of the originals. The collection also directly references a fabric print and several original artworks, including some by Beatrix Potter, the beloved children’s author who left 4,000 acres of land and 15 farms to the National Trust when she died in 1943.
How did the collaboration with the National Trust come about?
This is our fifth collection of wallpapers designed in partnership with the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since early 2018, Little Greene has worked with curators and conservators at the organization on an extensive paint and wallpaper research project. Undertaken at National Trust houses and gardens, the project uncovers original colors and patterns and tells the stories of the people who first enjoyed them. This research enables us to discover, reformulate and publish original paint colors and wallpaper patterns. With more than 500 places in the National Trust’s care, including some of the most significant historic interiors in the United Kingdom, this collaboration enables Little Greene to delve into an eclectic mix of decorative styles.
A contribution from the sale of every roll of Little Greene wallpaper is made in support of the National Trust’s conservation work to ensure the nation’s historic houses, gardens and open spaces can be enjoyed for generations to come. In addition, Little Greene continues to support the National Trust’s important conservation and restoration program by donating paints and papers to bring color and life back to some of the U.K.’s most loved properties.
What piece from the new collection are you most excited to unveil?
There are two wallpapers that feel particularly special, as they reference the original artworks of acclaimed author Beatrix Potter. These are the Nip & Lassie and Potter’s Woodland patterns. Potter’s Woodland is a mural wallpaper that directly references a variety of individual drawings and paintings from her unpublished sketchbooks. Besides her irrepressible appetite for farming the land, Potter was a prolific and accomplished artist, fascinated and inspired by the nature that surrounded Hill Top, her rural home in Ambleside, Cumbria. Capturing her love for wildlife, this mural allows customers to bring the unmistakable, timeless charm of Potter’s artworks into their homes.
How do you feel this collection pushes the brand forward?
It’s always such an honor to have access to incredible National Trust properties: uncovering and reviving captivating historic wallpaper designs, then extending their history in new colorways and formats. With this collection, we have taken things a step further by drawing inspiration from an array of historic artifacts from childhoods past, reinterpreting them as contemporary wallpaper designs. The Little Greene Design Studio took items such as vintage tin cars (Road Trip), children’s wooden games (Balance) and a mechanical toy (Rodney Street) and carefully redrew them, transforming them into wallpapers that capture all the spirit and character of the originals.
How does the collection build on or complement your other offerings?
Since 2018, we have launched four wallpaper collections in partnership with the National Trust, named National Trust Papers. Working in collaboration with Europe’s largest conservation charity, Little Greene creates each design from original patterns found at several of the National Trust’s historic houses. These designs are adapted and recolored in a range of colorways for use within the modern home. Storybook Papers has been created using the same principle, but with a slightly different approach. Instead of reproducing historic wallpaper designs, we have taken physical objects including toys, children’s illustrations and fabrics and reimagined them as contemporary wallpapers. Lovingly researched, designed and elegantly colored by Little Greene, each paper is offered in a variety of colorways to complement our palette, presented alongside a selection of suggested coordinating paint shades to bring truly harmonious interior design directly to rooms enjoyed by children and grown-ups alike.
What about the collection feels fresh and exciting?
While the origins of Storybook Papers are very much rooted in childhood, the whimsical, playful and colorful nature of these wallpapers makes them perfect for a multitude of spaces in addition to children’s bedrooms and nurseries. These bold, bright and characterful designs will bring joy to breakfast rooms, hallways, mudrooms, bathrooms and dining spaces, giving our customers the chance to be slightly more playful with their design choices!
Tell us about the materials in this collection. Are there certain materials used throughout, and/or a material that is a highlight on a particular piece?
The collection employs a spectrum of printing methods, from traditional surface printing to cutting-edge digital machines. We have also included one flocked design, which brings a delightful textural element to the Herdwick sheep in our Nip & Lassie wallpaper. The dogs in this design are the doodled portraits of Nip and Lassie—two of Beatrix Potter’s collies. The original sketches are tiny, but effortlessly translate into a lighthearted wallpaper design. Potter was known for her dedication to farming, and in particular her award-winning stock of Herdwick sheep. The breed is synonymous with the Lake District of England and Potter’s beloved country cottage, Hill Top, where she famously settled and fervently pursued her creative and business endeavors.
How do you envision designers using this collection?
Each wallpaper can be used in combination with complementary Little Greene paint colors to create unique and striking design schemes. By matching the paint to the base color of the wallpaper, you can create a cohesive, color-drenched look. Or for a dynamic and playful finish, opt for a contrasting accent shade on your woodwork, doors or window frames.
As part of this collection, we have also updated our Broad Stripe wallpaper with five refreshed colorways that complement the new patterns. By using Broad Stripe in combination with another wallpaper in a coordinating colorway, designers can add intriguing detail to their schemes, creating a strong focal point that will draw the eye.
Can the collection be customized? What options are possible?
Storybook Papers comprises eight wallpapers across 38 different color variations. For each colorway, we have suggested complementary paint shades, including related neutrals, coordinating colors, contrasting accent colors and related dark tones, allowing you to build an interior design scheme that is unique and personal to your client.
