Meet the Showroom: Alhambra

What brought Alhambra to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour? 

We wanted to be closer to the interior designers, decorators and specifiers we already work with in the UK, while also introducing Alhambra to many more people within the British design community. We also wanted to create a permanent home where they could experience Alhambra in a much more complete way.

Chelsea Harbour brings together an extraordinary design community, so for us it is not simply about having a showroom in London; it is about becoming part of that community and building stronger, more direct relationships with the people using our fabrics in their projects.

What should we expect from the showroom?

The showroom is conceived as a physical expression of Alhambra: warm, tactile, Mediterranean and quietly sophisticated.

Rather than creating a conventional textile showroom, we wanted the space to feel closer to an interior – somewhere calm and welcoming where designers can spend time, touch fabrics, combine materials and develop ideas.

Natural light, soft tones, textured mineral surfaces and natural materials define the atmosphere, with influences from Mediterranean living, wabi-sabi and raw minimalism. Lemum Minerals, a mineral decorative wall finish, also plays an important role in the showroom. Its finishes are used within the space, creating a very natural dialogue between walls, textures and textiles.

Why should customers visit in person as opposed to looking/buying online? 

Fabric is an incredibly sensory product. A photograph can communicate colour and pattern, but it cannot really communicate hand, weight, drape, transparency or the way a textile responds to light – and those qualities are fundamental to the way we design our collections.

Visiting the showroom also allows designers to put fabrics together, compare textures and colours, work directly with samples and discuss the technical requirements of a project with our team. Sometimes the fabric you ultimately choose is not the one you originally came looking for.

What’s Alhambra’s design philosophy? 

Our design philosophy is deeply connected to where we come from. Alhambra is based in Alicante, on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, and much of our inspiration comes from its light, tones and textures, but also from the way of life around us.

We are drawn to interiors that feel natural, warm, relaxed and genuinely lived in. Our references include slow living, wabi-sabi and raw minimalism – ideas that value simplicity, imperfection, presence and the beauty of everyday life – but interpreted through our own contemporary Mediterranean language.

Ultimately, we want our fabrics to contribute to spaces that feel beautiful, genuine, comfortable and timeless – spaces that invite you to slow down, feel at ease and enjoy the everyday. In a way, it is our own interpretation of viviendo despacio.

Is there a ‘hero’ product that you feel encapsulates your brand? 

If we had to choose one collection that encapsulates the Alhambra spirit today, it would probably be Despacito [pictured above]. It combines generous double-width fabrics, beautiful drape, soft natural-looking textures and a very relaxed colour palette. The fabrics are also exceptionally soft and pleasant to the touch, which is an important part of the experience.

We think its success comes from that balance: it has a very recognisable aesthetic character, but it is also extremely easy for designers to use and layer within many different types of interiors.

Are there broad trends in your sector of the design industry that you’re embracing?

We see a continued move towards interiors that feel more natural, tactile and ‘emotionally comfortable’. There is less interest in perfection for its own sake and more appreciation for texture, irregularity, softness and materials that have character. The growing interest in mineral and tactile wall finishes is part of the same movement, which is why Lemum Minerals sits so naturally alongside our textiles.

At the same time, designers increasingly expect beautiful fabrics to perform. The distinction between decorative and technical textiles is becoming much less rigid.

That is something we are particularly interested in: creating fabrics that retain the warmth and natural appearance associated with Alhambra while offering the properties required for demanding projects – flame retardancy, outdoor performance, easy-clean finishes or greater durability.

What can we expect from the latest launches?

They continue to explore the different sides of the Alhambra world – from soft, atmospheric decorative fabrics to increasingly sophisticated performance solutions.

We would also highlight Candela, one of the most versatile 100% linen plains in our collection. Available in both standard and double width, it combines the natural character of linen with an exceptionally soft hand, a beautifully balanced weight and properties that make it suitable for both drapery and upholstery. It comes in a carefully curated palette of 66 colours.

Around Candela sits a broader family of plains in different weights, constructions and uses, with more to come, giving designers a complete range of essentials for different types of projects.

What craftsmanship or innovation goes into your products? 

Our collections are designed in Spain, where a significant part of our production also takes place. We also work with carefully selected specialist mills and finishers in Italy, Belgium, Turkey and other countries, depending on the particular expertise required for each fabric. Many are long-standing partners with whom we have developed very close working relationships over the years.

There is also an increasingly technical side to our development. We are bringing the Alhambra aesthetic into more demanding contract projects, combining performance and innovation with the softer, natural character of the brand.

Is there anything else you’d like the Design Centre’s community to know about your brand?

Beyond the product, service and relationships are a very important part of who we are. We remain a personal and highly involved company, recognised for being responsive, reliable and genuinely committed to the projects and people we work with. Our team works closely with designers throughout the process, from sampling and fabric selection to technical advice and project-specific solutions.

More than anything, we would like designers to come in, spend some time with us, touch the fabrics and discover the brand. We hope the showroom feels a little like bringing the Mediterranean to Chelsea Harbour.