From chintz to damask stripes, four-poster daybeds that act as fainting couches in this heat and flouncy shades to keep complexions pale, garden furniture has been given the Bridgerton treatment and is coming up roses.
Bridgerton is not just a steamy streaming show; its effects are being felt in interiors and also in the reimagining of garden furniture and furnishings.
At the heart of this fresh outdoor approach is chintz, a glazed fabric that was once a rare and racy luxury.
First imported to Western Europe in the 17th century, its rich, exotic patterns were only for the wealthy gentry, who used them as everyday covers for velvet furnishings.
Here are ideas to try in your home:
Roses reimagined
Unveiled at the Chelsea Flower Show this year as part of a curated extension to Highgrove by Sanderson, a collection developed in partnership with King Charles’ The King’s Foundation, Rose Pergola takes its cues from archival early 19th-century block-prints of the T-shaped rose pergola, which was designed by Charles Morris for the king’s beloved country estate, Highgrove House.
Reinterpreted and digitally printed onto water- and stain-repellent outdoor fabric for the first time, the pattern shown, Rose Pergola, costs about €125 per square metre.
A more-is-more day bed for when you’re feeling faint
Luxury bedding brand Coco & Wolf has created a collection inspired by the hit streaming show Bridgerton.
Designed by Liberty’s in-house studio team, the fabrics are printed at the Liberty mill in Italy and handmade in England.
The Amelie Luise print, in Belgravia silk satin, will feel cool to the cheek.
A single pillowcase costs about €135. Pair with its Regency Trail Ardington cotton sateen king fitted sheet, about €256, and matching duvet set, about €450, excluding delivery from Liberty of London.
Lucky stripes add colour
Good manners marshal and arbiter of good taste, the now octogenarian socialite turned interior designer Nicky Haslam has no intention of slowing down.
His Balcony Stripe and Seafern prints bring a fresh perspective to fabric house Jean Monro, best known for its classic English country house florals, Haslam injects glamour and eccentricity, having earned his stripes working with American Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, and creating homes for Mick Jagger and Ringo Starr.
Seen here in pomegranate red, but also available in mown green and haystack yellow, they bring punch colour to awnings and seating. Prices from about €222, excluding delivery.
Regency with a modern twist
If you like a plainer approach but one that is rooted in the Regency period, then London-based Buchanan Studio’s well-upholstered Studio chair has been given an outdoor companion, a version that features a damask-like Jaccard striped brocade it calls Wild Studio Stripe.
The chair, which features the same sculptural curves, costs about €6,573, excluding delivery, and features premium fabric that is water-repellent and mould-resistant, made from woven performance polyester.
A parasol gives shelter from the sun
Supersize the Regency-era parasol for use outside while maintaining cover to keep one looking pale and interesting.
This square valance shade by Tents India has a floral print underlay and will bring a sense of occasion to the simplest of outdoor pursuits. It costs about €430.
The carved stone base, made in Rajasthan, will also be essential to keeping it upright. It costs €1,045 and weighs a hefty 50 kg, from Etsy.
Don’t chuck out chintz; take it outside instead
Chintz is shedding its fusty old house image. Designers are taking it outside, where it pairs with a garden in full bloom.
Give yours a refined makeover thanks to American interior designer Michael S. Smith, who did the Obama White House.
His new collab with English design house Zoffany has delivered a range of stripes, florals and plains, all mined from the UK brand’s archive of French chintz and Japanese silks.
Prices for the range start from about €120 per square metre.
