When you start a new interior project it’s exciting and daunting in equal measures. It’s difficult to know where to begin so it is good idea to gather your ideas and organise them onto a mood board.

A mood board is a way of bringing together design elements that you love and seeing how they work together before committing to buying large quantities.

Before you start, it’s a good idea to have a colour scheme in mind. Be inspired by the colours in the world around you, I love to look at nature, but you might have a favourite painting or dress. Magazines are also a great source of ideas.  If you need help with putting colours together there is an earlier article ‘Confidence with Colour’ that will help you.

Gather samples of fabric, wallpaper, tiles, paint, or flooring of things you love. This helps you to experience the colours and textures working together.

Try to include different textures as this helps to add interest to your scheme. Mixing pattern can also add interest but if you’re unsure about mixing patterns in the same room, I’ve got this covered in an earlier article.

With this mood board, I’ve started with my main fabric which will be used for the curtains – this is my Summer Garden in stone. Then I’ve added co-ordinating ideas. The smaller scale fabrics will work perfectly for lampshades, cushions and co-ordinating blinds.

Arrange your mood board and when you are happy with the elements, it’s time to get started on your actual room. The mood board helps you to have a plan and makes the process less overwhelming.

If this still leaves you feeling apprehensive, Meg Morton offer a fabulous Mood Board selection to help put together the perfect room scheme to suit your individual taste.

Each mood board contains a main fabric sample ( A5 size) for curtains, along with co ordinating fabric samples (7.5cm x 15cm) for blinds, cushions and lampshades etc, wallpaper sample, where used, trim sample (10cm) to edge curtains/cushions, Fenwick and Tilbrook hand painted swatch cards and a written inspiration card of what to put where. You can find out more about these here.

Railroading refers to the way a fabric, usually a pattern, is printed or milled. Normally a roll of fabric features the top of a pattern going up the roll. However, a railroaded fabric will have the top of the pattern going across the roll. This makes it possible to upholster a headboard, create a large diameter shade or make blinds without seams or a break in the pattern.

All our fabrics are printed to order and so we can railroad fabric at the time of printing. The little diagram above explains it perfectly. Here in the studio, we can turn the design around 90 degrees before printing.

It’s a useful service to have for certain projects like this amazing wide width blind. It’s just one of the many things a smaller company can offer. If you think this will help you with your project, please ask us and we will be more than happy to help.

Stripes are one of the oldest patterns emanating from early weaving techniques. They are smart, versatile and add a relaxed homely feel to a room.

They work beautifully on their own and are an excellent choice for curtains and blinds where a room requires understated decoration.

Lulworth sage stripe curtains

Mix stripes with florals – this is a personal favourite combination of mine, it’s the ultimate in relaxed country décor.

Stripes can be added as borders, trimmings or piping. In the photo below my Pinstripe has been used to back the cottage pleats in these pretty bedroom curtains.
For a totally luxurious curtain or blind, why not have them lined with a coordinating stripe.

Abigail Hydrangea fabric curtains with Pinstripe pink

My Pinstripe is so fine, it’s almost a plain, but it just gives an element of texture. It’s available in 11 useful shades that work with my floral fabrics.

Pinstripe fabric

If you’re looking for a bolder stripe, Lulworth might be the answer. It is a classic pencil stripe that works on its own or mixed with other fabrics.
Have a look at my stripes page for more inspiration.

Beautiful curtains can instantly transform a room from drab to fab. But it’s not just about the fabric, curtain headings also play an important part in the overall look. There are many different styles of curtain headings and they all give a different effect.

I thought I’d share some of the popular styles of curtain headings that have been used with my fabrics. It might give you a little inspiration for your next project.

There’s no right or wrong style, it’s all down to personal choice, but some styles might suit your room better than others.

Pencil pleats
Pencil pleats are the traditional standard heading for curtains and suit all types of track and pole and most fabrics, patterned and plain. The pleats are gathered evenly across the top of the curtain using a drawstring tape. Simple and versatile, pencil pleats create a smart, formal window dressing but opened up a little, also suit a relaxed setting. They are suitable for most styles of room making them a popular choice.

Pinch pleats
Pinch pleat curtains have groups of structured pleats separated by flat sections; the hooks are then inserted at each pleat. Pinch pleats give a more formal tailored look and the curtains tend to hang in more uniform folds. It’s a very popular style, but I wouldn’t recommend attempting this if you are new to sewing; it’s definitely one for the experienced curtain maker. Pleats can be double or triple as shown below, and it’s worth bearing in mind that this style requires more fabric to achieve the look.

Eyelet curtains
Eyelet or ‘ring top’ curtains give a clean, modern look. Eyelets can work with slightly less than double fullness, although double fulness is recommended to give a nice ‘wave’ when the curtains are closed.

Cartridge Pleats
Cartridge Pleats are another way of creating a chic, modern look, giving a stylish ‘wave’ to the curtains.

Cottage pleats
Cottage pleats give a pretty, soft gather and are made by setting the curtain tape a few inches below the top. This style suits a traditional country setting and florals are a perfect choice.
The top frill can be short or long. The longer it is, the more it will fold over. For added interest you can sew a coordinating band of fabric along the top.

If you are looking for a curtain maker near you, please have a look at my stockist page, they will be more than happy to help you with your next project.

With each shift in the season, nature delivers a new colour palette, and this is particularly noticeable with greens. Spring brings forth tender shoots of fresh lime green, followed by Summer’s jewel-like vibrant greens and finally the more subdued olive greens of Autumn. As in nature, green goes with everything. As in nature, greens go with everything and are a joy to live with, they are calming, fresh, inviting and energising.
Green paint, pot plants and botanical prints are a popular way to bring nature into our homes.

I have put together a selection of my green and botanical fabrics which are perfect for bringing the outside in.

Left to right: Pinstripe green fabric, Field Study green fabric

‘Pinstripe’ is a fine hand painted stripe that’s almost a plain and perfect for co-ordinating with my other fabrics. It’s available in several shades of green and many other useful colours.

Botanical prints are great for creating a fresh, outdoorsy feel. ‘Field Study’ is  based on a collection of my drawings from  the fields and lanes whilst out walking in the countryside.

Left to right: Apple Blossom green fabric, Meadow Grass green fabric

If you look up under the canopy of an old apple tree, this is what you see in late Spring. ‘Apple Blossom’ is a gentle design that’s available in several pretty shades.

‘Meadow Grass’ is a great way to bring foliage into your home. Silhouetted grasses printed onto natural stone linen give this fabric a lovely rustic feel.

A subtle print of leaves gives a hint of nature. ‘Kitchen Garden’ in green fabric is a delicate leaf print from my runner bean plants. This pattern looks great made into lampshades, blinds and curtains.

Kitchen Garden green fabric

I have quite a few greens across my fabric collections, here are just a few of my favourites, but there are plenty more fabrics to choose from and they all look gorgeous made into curtains, cushions and blinds.

When it comes to curtains and soft furnishings it’s such an important decision. In order to get exactly the look you want, it’s best to use a professional curtain maker unless you have the skills to make your own.

Pompom trim adds a touch of luxury

The perfect fit
The perfect fit makes all the difference. Sometimes a roman blind or curtain needs to fit into a recess, and curtains often need to be the perfect length to accommodate a radiator or piece of furniture below the window.

The perfect fit

The perfect look
Bespoke blinds and curtains open up a whole range of styles and exciting trimmings. I love adding pompoms or a fan edged trim – there are some gorgeous trimmings available and they add a little va-va-voom. They can be added to the leading edge of your curtains, across the width of your blinds or round cushions and lampshades, the possibilities are endless.  You can also decide whether your curtains are sill length or puddle luxuriously on the floor.

A quality finish
When curtains and blinds are made especially for you, you can choose the right lining. A curtain maker will be able to advise you on all the different options.  Good quality lining will not only lengthen the life of your curtains by protecting them from sun damage, but it will ensure the curtains look thicker and hang nicely.

Peony cottage pleats

Choose your own accessories
Whether you make your own or use a professional curtain maker, one of the fun things is the vast array of accessories you can add.  Things like tiebacks, cushions, valances or pelmets can be made in your choice of colour and style.  You can also order extra fabric to cover a favourite piece of furniture, to bring it up to date and keep it as part of your new colour scheme.

If you are looking for a curtain maker near you, please have a look at my stockist page and type in your postcode and the distance you would be prepared to travel. I can also help you with makers who offer a remote service and delivery.

We associate yellow with happiness and optimism. It’s the perfect colour of the moment and one of the choices for Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2021.

With the country slowly emerging from lockdown we are all looking for things to make us feel good. The sunshine and outdoors plays a huge part in the feel-good factor, but we can also add shades of yellow to our home to create an uplifting, cheerful environment.

I have put together a selection of my sunny saffron fabrics, perfect for making cheerful, happy interiors.

Clockwise from top left: Honeysuckle saffron, Mollie saffron, Wisteria warm saffron, Lace Flower saffron

Mixing pattern is easy but making the end-product look good can be a challenge.

Mixing patterns in a room is a great way to add interest, colour and depth while giving it your own unique look. Bear in mind that the various patterns and colours don’t need to “match” each other, they just need to “go” together. When it comes to mixing patterns it’s important to trust your own instincts about what looks good.

The key to getting it right is to vary the scale. Use at least three patterns in a room. One large, one medium, and one small; or one large and two different mediums for instance. Remember you want your patterns to complement, not compete.

Fabrics clockwise from top: Summer Garden stone, Mollie denim, Mollie faded red.

Large patterns work best on large pieces (wallpaper, curtains) and small patterns work best on small pieces (cushions, accessories).  Sometimes, small patterns can look busy when used in large amounts.

One approach to building your mix of patterns is to choose one large pattern as your ‘anchor’.  It should be the biggest, boldest and incorporate ALL of your colours in your colour scheme.  From there, pick a different, medium-sized pattern (about half the size of your large pattern) that utilises SOME of the colours.  Lastly, the small pattern can be in just one or two of your colours.

Another way is to use colours that are the same intensity. Different patterns can often work together if they’re of the same hues.

Distribute patterns evenly throughout the room. If the majority are all on one side of the room the whole space will look unbalanced.

Use solid colours to add areas of calm – too many patterns might feel chaotic.

Patterns don’t have to be full of different colours. Tone-on-tone patterns can still give a room depth and character while remaining elegant. Adding texture will also add interest and depth.

Fabrics from top: Wisteria French blue, Mollie denim, Lulworth Stripe French blue

Here I’ve used my Wisteria French blue as the lead design and mixed it with smaller scale designs to add interest. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different patterns in the same room, it’s unlikely they will be right next to each other and choosing a different scale adds interest.

Many of my patterns have been designed to mix and match. Start by gathering samples and creating a mood board; it’s a great way to see how your colours and patterns work together.

Please contact the studio if you would like any help.

This year PANTONE® has selected two shades for its official Colour of the Year for 2021 – ‘Illuminating’ yellow and ‘Ultimate Gray’.

Colour of the Year is described as ‘A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting’.

If you like to be on trend, I have plenty of fabrics to fit the moment. But whether you’re seeking the latest trend or not, you still might like to consider decorating with greys and yellows.

Mixing neutral greys with shades of yellow creates cheerful and sophisticated interiors, they complement each other perfectly. Grey on its own is very soothing and extremely versatile but for stunning results, mix it with shades of yellow.

Pattern helps to bring this combination alive. For retro and Scandi enthusiasts remember to keep the lines clean; simple patterns and geometrics work best.
If you are aiming for more of a country chic look, then try adding some floral prints to the scheme.

Always try out different paint samples and fabric swatches before you make your final selection. The light will change throughout the day and this will affect how the colours appear in your room.

Accessorise with chunky knits and ceramics and don’t be afraid to mix textures because this helps to add interest to the room. I’m a big admirer of the chunky knits and rugs that are around at the moment, they work with so many different styles and just add a little bit of cosiness.

We associate yellow with happiness and optimism.

Curtain made using Wisteria warm saffron fabric

Left: Wisteria warm saffron Middle: Mollie slate Right: Meadow Grass saffron

I have quite a few yellows and greys across my fabric collections, here are just a few of my favourites, but there are plenty more fabrics to choose from and they all look gorgeous made into curtains, cushions and blinds.

Ta-da! My new fabrics are finally here.

It’s always an exciting and busy time launching new fabrics. After months of testing, I love the new colours and I’m very happy to bring them into the fabric family.

Today I’m introducing two new colours for my popular Wisteria fabric. The colours are French Blue and Smoke blue, designed to mix and match with my existing fabrics.

Have fun planning your new scheme and let me know if I can help you.