This post is all about the use of nature inspired upholstered furniture and furnishings. Natural motifs of floral elements, animals of all kinds, and textures can all be used to create environments that bring us closer to nature. Choosing upholstered pieces that have patterns and images are a great way to do that. As a pattern designer I have long admired the work of Josef Frank. He was an Austrian architect who fled Nazi occupation. This life event would take him in a new direction. He landed at Svenskt Tenn in 1934 and worked with producer Estrid Ericson. Their partnership led to his body of textile designs that became known as Swedish Modern. He loved bringing nature’s color and forms into his interiors and the fabrics he created are the very heart of today’s Biophilic movement.
Svenskt Tenn in 1934 and just a few years later, the Frank-Ericson duo made their international breakthrough. Svenskt Tenn’s exhibition room at the World Expositions in Paris in 1937 and New York in 1939 was completely contrary to the ideal of the time with its bold contrasts in materials, colours and prints.
https://www.svenskttenn.com/us/en/about-svenskt-tenn/since-1924/josef-frank/
His floral patterns with trailing vines, twisted twigs, and birds in flight endure and are being paired with modern sofas and chairs and other soft furnishings for looks that are as fresh today as anything in the market. Here a just a couple of examples of designer projects and their work with his patterns.
It can be a statement piece such as a sofa or chair covered in his vibrant prints….
or it can be more subtle with a neutral palette punctuated with pillows as accents that pop.
Artists of today are creating new and fun prints that take Josef Frank’s love of nature and interpret it in their own unique way. Floral and fauna as well as animal motifs are trending. Here are some examples of those who have created products that are made from his designs and others that do the same thing in different ways.
Floral Upholstery
Josef Frank’s designs are shown here on a pillow and even if you have a very neutral palette such as the room above his patterns can add just the right amount of color and pattern to complete your nature inspired home.
This pattern from Thibaut is called Canopy Central Park and although quite different than the patterns of Josef Frank it has the same ability to envelope a room in the feeling of nature with dramatic flair. This pattern is available in fabric and wallpaper.
If you are brave enough to go for it, this gorgeous velvet upholstery is a show stopper in the right room! The print is a grouping of wildflowers on a vibrant blue background from Lee Jofa Kravet on Etsy. I love the pairing of velvet and botanical prints. The fabric can be used for upholstery, cushions, or any other soft furnishings.
Leopards, Zebras, Unicorns, and More
Leopards, Zebras, Unicorns and really any other animals, real or fictitious, can be found in upholstery images and prints on products available this year. They are extremely versatile and can be used in everything from a modern chic contemporary room to add a little warmth to a very whimsical accent to a child’s room. Anthropologie does a great job of pulling in artisan products that feel not too formal, a little quirky, and just right.
Animal prints can add texture and pattern in a dramatic way to give your room a reminder of the natural kingdom we all inhabit.
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This fabric from House of Hackney is a great example of how to use a really dramatic nature inspired fabric for an eclectic mix. Cranes and a weeping willow are depicted on the British velvet pattern called Zeus in the color tobacco for the backs of these dining chairs.
Something less literal in design but just as effective in biophilic design are these wonderful animal patterns from C. F. Stinson. This one is entitled Wild Kingdom and evokes textures and folklore images that are symbolic of the animal kingdom.
Tropical Motifs
For the one looking for avant garde, this is the one. It combines the animal print theme with tropical forest animal motifs. It is a refurbished Hollywood Regency frame with vintage high end fabric. This would be fabulous in the right room maybe a conservatory garden room? You know what they say, no guts no glory. If that is you then here is the link to buy below if it is still available at the time of this posting….
For something a little more mainstream tropical patterns are everywhere. I love the simplicity of this Kravet/Brunschwig and Fils tropical leaf pattern paired with the cool aqua color. It shows that is has been discontinued but demonstrates the variety of options that are out there.
Bird Prints
Josef Frank’s work, along with the work of William Morris often included birds. Here is a great example of how that legacy continues.
A sofa and chair giving homage to that era interpreted in a fresh way from Anthropologie. It is the collaboration between Anthropologie and long time established British Icon Liberty. I love this new line called Liberty Home. Follow the link below to ready the article in Architectural Digest and to get a sneak peek and see more of what is to come.
Strawberry Thief is a well known design by William Morris. It is one of my favorite patterns.If you love it too, I have provided a link below the photo where you can purchase fabric. Make something wonderful!
High end fabric manufacturers have a wealth of bird themed fabrics that can’t be found in most retail stores. They must be purchased through someone in the trade. You can find these fabrics through your favorite designer and many upholstery shops. They carry on the love of nature and intricate patterns established by Josef Frank and William Morris. I just love them. If they are too much for you to cover a sofa or a chair, try a simple pillow for accent. It can change the look of a room.
Beach Prints
Here is another great pattern for a beach inspired room.
Conclusion
All of these examples are ways you can infuse your home with more connections to the wonderful world of nature. They are meant to get your wheels spinning and bring you a few ideas to spark your imagination. I’ll bring it back around to Josef Frank’s work because his work epitomizes not only beautiful patterns but a bigger idea. It is the sensibility that adding more elements of nature into our interiors is good for our health and wellness too.
I’ll leave you with this quote from Maria Wiberg, the Curator of the Millesgarden Museum….
Svenskt Tenn still owns all Frank’s designs, and they are made to his instructions; producing the 160 fabrics that he designed in rotation. “Frank brought something to Sweden that we didn’t have,” says Maria Wiberg, Curator of the Millesgården Museum, which houses much of his work. “His work makes you happy.”
House and Garden UK