Beth Eleanor Textiles Journal: The Designers and the Companies

This week we were told to research at least 5 different Textile Surface designers or companies that work with interiors. I've tried to choose the ones that I already know a little about, and that inspire my own work.

1. Timorous Beasties
I absolutely love Timorous Beasties - they were the first to jump to my head when we were given the task. I first stumbled across them when I received a book called 'Patterns' by Drusilla Cole for Christmas one year.
Timorous Beasties was founded in Glasgow in 1990 by Alistair and Paul Simmons, and you could probably see some of their designs in and around London, in John Lewis and at the Edinburgh National Portrait Gallery. (http://www.timorousbeasties.com/about)
The wallpaper design (01) is one of many ink blot designs by Timorous Beasties, and what I love about them are the fact that they must all start out being very experimental, as there's no way to predict what's going to happen, yet as they're worked in to they all turn out looking really carefully crafted.
I think that the fabric design (02) is fantastic. Toile patterns are my favourite - they're delicate, intricate and always interesting. I especially like this one because it's totally original. Normally toile patterns consist of Japanese florals or birds, but this design has an industrial, London theme to it too - I've never seen that done before.

(01)
Timorous Beasties Wallcoverings -
Grand Blotch Damask Solid Wallcovering
(02)
Timorous Beasties Fabric -
London Toile

2. Anthropologie
Anthropologie is a design led shop that sells interiors, clothing, accessories and gift, founded about 20 years ago. I'm often stalking their designs on my Pinterest - all of their designs have quite a bohemian feel to them, and are always bursting with colour. It's one of those shops where I just wish I could buy everything from! What I love most about all of Anthropologie's designs is that they are primarily hand drawn and always busy with loads to look at; yet aren't so busy that they give you a headache.
http://www.anthropologie.eu/anthro/index.jsp

(03)
Anthropologie -
Petherton Cushion
(04)
Anthropologie Wallpaper -
Birds of Paradise Mural

3. Laura Ashley
Laura Ashley is a well known design company which started in 1953, and became an actual company in 1954. They sell primarily home furnishings and furniture, but also some fashion. They are renowned for their feminine prints and designs, including lots of florals and pastel colours. I really enjoy their designs - the delicacy and lightness of them all. I admire the colours in the linen blend fabric (05) here - they indicate a calmness, and isn't harsh on your eyes in any way like so many designs are with their bright and contrasting colours.
http://www.lauraashley.com/page/heritage

(05)
Laura Ashley -
Windermere Coral Linen Blend Fabric

(06)
Laura Ashley -
Freshford Floral Red Wallpaper

4. Ashley Goldberg
Ashley Goldberg is a less well known surface designer who originated through selling her designs and prints on Etsy, but recent years designs' can be seen in Urban Outfitters home collections and other small commissions. I found her through Pinterest and I love the raw, hand made feel of all her designs, which are mostly abstract. When looking through all of her designs, you can clearly see the experimentation through her work - her use of mixed media and that some designs may even be 'happy accidents' yet others are carefully thought out and constructed.

(07)
Ashley Goldberg Print -
Early Morning

(08)
Ashley Goldberg -
Char-Bea Brush Stroke Sham

5. Ralph Lauren Home
Just like their fashion designs, Ralph Lauren designs for interiors are usually quite traditional, consisting of stripes, paisley, toile, plaids and florals. A lot of their designs are fairly simple, but they're classy - which is exactly what I love about them. I really like the blockprint fabric (10) as it reminds me of the big stripes and florals mix trend a couple of years ago, which, when done well, was really pretty. Ralph Lauren never use garish colours within their designs - it can often be tacky when there is too much going on but they get a perfect balance between how busy the designs are in print and how busy they are in colour.