Perfect English

There is something so endearing to me about English homes. I love looking through British publications for that unpretentious, un-staged, timeless look of comfort and elegance. When I see a gorgeous English home in photographs, reality is suspended for just a second, & I'm sure I could just step through the page, knock on the door and be welcomed by a gracious English host speaking in that lovely British accent, a cup of Earl Grey tea and a chair with overstuffed down cushions to settle into.

Great English houses look like there is never the need to rush around and make everything pristine for guests because the style of the house allows for the beauty of being lived in; the interiors show signs of life and of lives lived fully. Stacks of well-worn books, collected treasures from travels, gathered floral arrangements, displayed family photographs in vintage silver frames and the family pets lying lazily about the house all contribute to the look of imperfect perfection.  The mix of styles and influences strike such a pleasant balance. Furniture with French influence mingles happily with Chinese export porcelain, chinoiserie and bamboo, domestic family heirlooms, floral chintz, and wall-to-wall seagrass carpet.

So with my fondness for English style, you can imagine my delight when I recently discovered Kate Forman, an English textile company that produces pretty linens, decorative accessories, trimmings and wallpapers, influenced somewhat by 19th century French style, and all handmade and printed in England. While inspiration photos from a product line like Kate Forman are certainly staged, the style of the wares themselves are perfectly lent to the look of a "lived-in" English home and lifestyle.

Cushions in a mixture of Kate Forman's printed linens.

Christmas stockings are constructed from a variety of Kate Forman's velvets and printed linens.

A drop-dead gorgeous sofa upholstered in 'Red Velvet', a soft but rich red with a hint of pink.

A chair upholstered in 'Red Ticking' linen fits the current linen-ticking-stripe-rage perfectly. The window shade is 'Roses' in raspberry reds, pinks and sage greens.

A wing chair looking glamorous in 'Red Velvet'. Drapery is 'Isobella'.

Settee upholstered in 'Sage Roses'; window shade in 'Green Ticking'; drapery fabric is 'Sage Eliza'.

Chair upholstered in a classic French check: 'Blue Check' linen, 'Red Ticking' for drapery.

The cat soaks up some sun next to a pretty drapery in linen 'Sprig' trimmed in red 'Pom Pom'.

Window shades in 'Blue Roses'; chairs 'Cameo Ribbons Swedish Blue' and 'Blue Check; tablecloth is 'Blue Eliza'.

Reading chair is slipcovered in 'Roses'.

Just the right shade of blue: drapery in 'Cameo Ribbons Swedish Blue'.

Cushions in 'Blue Velvet' and 'Cameo Rose'.

So pretty in 'Amelia', a faded design with the softest pink and grey.

Bedding in 'Isobella' and 'Pink Ticking'.

What can I say? Is this not the perfect room for the dapper young lad? Bedding in 'Red Ticking' stripe with 'Red Velvet' cushions.

Lamp shade and cupboard drapery in 'Matilda'. Stuffed toy bear in 'Agatha'. 

Upholstery in 'Agatha'; bedding in 'Kitty'.

Chair in 'Duck Egg Christobel'. Sconce shades in 'Cameo Rose'.

Charming pattern mixing with headboard slipcovered in 'Cameo Rose', bedding in 'Blue Roses' and cushion in 'Roses'.

Another mix of patterns: 'Pandora' on chair, 'Cameo Rose' chair cushion and headboard upholstery. 'Red Ticking' appears to have been combined with a plain linen for a creative and attractive window shade.

Bathroom with a light and airy feel outfitted in 'Agatha' linen.

 'Pink Sophia' and 'Agatha' are combined to make a sweet spot to slumber.

These laundry sacks are perfect for travel or hiding the laundry anytime.

For more room inspiration visit Kate Forman HERE where you can also request brochures and cuttings.

Last, but not least, I discovered Kate Forman through the beautiful blog The Paper Mulberry, written by Glenda Steel who is renovating a 500 year old, Grade II listed Elizabethan farmhouse in England. I love going to her site for great room inspiration. Visit her HERE.

Have a beautiful weekend, my friends!

-Keri