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With daily digital overload, enhanced tactility has never been more important. From textured wallcoverings to woven leathers, thick bouclé carpets and incredible embroidery, it’s all so much more interesting than swiping a screen.
Woven surfaces clad everything from walls to lamp bases; hand-weaving is never totally uniform, but subtly shows its makers’ work across its surface, something that is more and more desirable in a digital world. Arte uses the technique in its ‘Pandan’ wallcovering (above left), made from interwoven fibres, while Simpsons’ ‘Lagonda’ lamp (above right) is clad in soft sueded herringbone.
Head to new showroom Yarn Collective to see incredible woven leathers from Lance Wovens: they’re highly versatile but particular popular for places that act as regular touch-points, such as stair banisters. Or be seated at Turri, where the Milano collection includes upholstered furniture wrapped in a casing of woven leather.
Flooring is an ideal place to add some texture, especially where it’s going to be walked on barefoot. Thibault van Renne’s Elements collection (above; available from Art Rugs Gallery) mixes silk and wool, which is hand-clipped, resulting in a three-dimensional effect.
Embroidered fabrics are particularly prominent this season, with vibrant colour adding to the playful mood. Find beautiful stitching at Zimmer + Rohde, where Etamine’s chain-stitched ‘Tiaré’ (above left) is a showstopper; and on passementerie, such as this ‘Casita Nileita’ trim (above right) by Michelle Nussbaumer for Clarence House, from Turnell & Gigon.
The trend works equally well across a neutral palette, however: sheers are also moving in a more texture-focused direction, such as Larsen’s ginko-patterned ‘Matam’ (above left; available from Colefax and Fowler), while Elitis’ Paper Sculpture collection (above right; from Abbott & Boyd) is made by hand from paper pulp.
Main image credits: ‘Fjord’ wallcovering (50063 981), Zimmer + Rohde; ‘Mosaic Weave‘ wallcovering (T24076), natural, Thibaut at Jacaranda Carpets & Rugs; ‘Matrix’ wallcovering (50070/ 982), Zimmer + Rohde; ‘Galapagos’ wallcovering (463500.8), Nobilis; ‘Nitende’ wallcovering (112228), oyster/gold, Harlequin; Clyde’ centrepiece, Arteriors
Abbott & Boyd, First Floor, North Dome
Art Rugs Gallery, Third Floor, North Dome
Arte, Second Floor, Design Centre East
Colefax and Fowler, Ground Floor, South Dome
Turnell & Gigon, Ground Floor, North Dome
Turri, Second Floor, South Dome
Yarn Collective, Fourth Floor, Design Centre East
Zimmer + Rohde, Ground Floor, North Dome
