Colour has always formed an important part of Laura Ashley style. From the earliest days, Laura Ashley’s aim was to create a balanced interior through the use of co-ordinating prints and colour ways in fabrics and wallpapers. Those first simple designs, printed on strong colours, were often printed in reverse colours also, thus allowing the creation of a simple positive-and-negative monochrome scheme. As the collection expanded, the effect became one not of matching colours, but of colours designed to co-ordinate, providing an interior with a timeless quality, as though it had always looked that way. It is that same style of decoration known on the continent as deshabille anglaise (“English undress”), and re-christened by interior decorator John Fowler as “humble elegance”. It, too, represents an inspiration from the past, the revival of an element of English decoration that had been present as early as
the 1670s.

 

Yet the Laura Ashley collection is not a historical showcase, however accurate and painstaking the research behind the designs and their reproduction might be. Mere antiquarian scholarship never interested Laura Ashley. With her designers she has been concerned, rather, to provide the means by which dreams can be turned into realities, bringing warmth, “humble elegance” and charm into ordinary homes which had been too long dominated by what author and critic Richard Hoggart called “chain- store modernismus…all bad veneer and sprayed- on varnish stain…cold and ugly plastic door-handles; fussy and meaningless wall lamp holders; metal tables which invite no-one and have their over-vivid colours kicked and scratched away: all tawdry and gimcrack.”

 

Against this chain-store ethic of the cheap and the disposable, Laura Ashley has taught a generation to appreciate the notion of prettiness. From her kitchen table in Pimlico she launched one of the most far-reaching revolutions in the history of modern design.

 

 

 

 

 

Today, the ’humble elegance’ that Laura strove to create is ever present in each season’s collection.  It lives on with renewed vigour and a zesty contemporary twist in patterns such as Blenheim Eau De Nil from the Grand Country Collection – classic styling, sumptuous silk highlighted with touches of soft burnished metallic gold and pewter.  

 

The ‘deshabille anglaise’ can be seen reinvented in Charlesbury Raisin from the Country Pursuits Collection – formal patterns presented with casual styling in warm, rustic tones.  The look is comfortable, familiar and relaxed - the dark timber furniture and snug sofas creating an inviting retreat tucked away from the elements outside.  The feel is so tangible one can almost see the mist rolling in and hear the sound of fire crackling in the hearth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 'notion of prettiness' continues in the captivating floral Rhododendron Eau De Nil from the Garden Room Collection and the soft and simple sophistication of Agapanthus from the Enchanted Forest Collection.

Each collection tells a story using key themes - a combination of colour, pattern and texture across the range of products from fabrics for window treatments and furniture, through to wallpapers and accessories, with the wall finishes providing the backdrop upon which to create the mood of the room.

 

This month sees the release of the Laura Ashley Wallpaper swatch books.  In these inspirational pages can be found a myriad of patterns designed to make a bold statement on feature walls or to compliment any setting in the Laura Ashley range.

 

Create your own unique look using the timeless principles inspired by Laura Ashley.  Together with the assistance of the Laura Ashley Design Service and drawing upon fabrics and wallpapers from the 20008 Collection you can develop a style that is truly your own. 

 

To make an appointment with one of our trained consultants call
1800 033 453 or contact your nearest store for details.