Wallpaper and Botanical Prints

The Downing Collection

Last week in the Contextual Practice lecture, we were told about the different places where we can collect research from for our assignment. I decided to go to the Wallpaper and Botanical Prints session today because although I really like all the contemporary wallpaper designs, I thought it'd be intriguing to see the old methods and materials of making wallpapers. Another reason for attending this session was the 'print' element of it which would help me develop my own digital and manual prints in the workshops. 

I found the session incredibly interesting and inspiring. It was surprising and exciting to find out that the methods we use in the print workshops, for example embossing, metallic effect and hand printing, were still in use back in the 19th and 20th Centuries and highly in demand for wallpapers and furnishing textiles. It was mind-blowing to witness patterns and colour schemes of wallpapers in the collection which inspired some big contemporary designers. Here are some of the designs that caught my eye:

This was one of the first wallpapers I witnessed. This is an 80's print but I think it has a certain contemporary feel, probably because of the colour scheme and the shiny background.

The size of the motifs in this wallpaper is incredible! The use of colour in this print is quite dark with hints of light colours in some places to add depth.

The colour scheme in this design is quite subtle in contrast to some of the previous prints from 19th Century. It shows a change of trend and fashion from the earlier years.

Botanical Prints

This is a section of a curtain designed by the textile designers of 20th  Century. Textile designers did not restrict to the exact copying of the plants, unlike the botanical printers, however they did take inspiration from scientific illustrations. They mad the prints look more imaginary and abstract.