Birds and butterflies

If maritime and nautical for the summer months isn’t your thing .............. and you’re more of a traditional summer theme kind of person, then another themed trend that has been emerging throughout the spring and into the summer is 'Birds' and 'Butterflies'. Often featured alongside the omnipresent summer florals and botanicals, these summer creatures are depicted in many ways and styles, from detailed and accurate to fun and fanciful. The trend is seeing bird and butterfly motifs used as standalone images on cushions and wall art; or as all over surface pattern on detailed cotton prints and other textures for curtains, bedding and accessories.

The Botanicals collection showcased in the lifestyle image above combines a delicate botanical print, which is seen in the full length curtains, with a sharp but colour coordinated vertical stripe, a stylised (almost geometric), simple, leaf design and a beautifully detailed and delicate butterfly print. The look is unmistakably summery, light and airy.

The botanicals print aptly named ‘Botanical Gardens – Spring’ has beautifully detailed and accurate images of wild and meadow flowers in subtle and multi-tonal shades of pink, beige and green. The flowers are labelled with their full botanical names in Latin, in a delightful script print which adds unmistakable accuracy and authenticity to the design.

The butterfly print (also aptly named) is called ‘Papillon’ and sees beautifully detailed and accurate, monotone, line drawings of butterflies, fluttering over pale, shadowy, images of flora and fauna. The Latin names again accompany the images for added accuracy and authenticity.

The simple leaf design (Lola) uses the same colour palette and therefore coordinates perfectly within the collection, but is more contemporary and stylised than the Botanical Gardens and Papillon prints and offers a more fun and light hearted approach to summer flora and fauna. It would work just as well as full length curtains against the sharp deckchair stripe as the Botanical print does, but the combination would give a much more stylised, simplistic and relaxed summer combination – great for a style conscious teenagers’ room maybe, or for a modern sun room or conservatory?

Pagoda stripe completes the collection. This crisp, vertical, deckchair style stripe utilises all the colours in the collection’s pallette, but provides a strong contrast to the delicate accuracy of the flowery, leafy and butterfly designs. I love the juxtaposition of this strong geometric against the more dainty prints, but this versatile stripe would also look stunning on it’s own!

This classic, vintage style chintz fabric is called Bird Trail. The design sees dotty rose buds nestling between delicate leaf trails, with whimsical pink and blue birds and butterflies fluttering from vine to vine. The vintage, shabby chic, feel to this delightful print would see it empathise perfectly with a period interior or a summer florals theme. Mix it with larger floral prints for a truly feminine feel or with dainty spots or stripes for a more contemporary look.

A more fun and funky approach to our feathered friends is creatively executed in our Birdhouse fabric. This patchwork applique style print features simple block printed birdhouse silhouettes, adorned with roses and stylised little birds to create a charming and versatile pattern which would lend itself as readily to craft projects and home accessories as it would to curtains and blinds; and would look equally as appropriate in children’s rooms, kitchens or conservatories alike.

But if you’re not a sewer or a crafter, then these adorable, Kirsty Allsopp ‘Tweet Tweet’ cushions will add instant birdie themed fun to your summer decor!

This adorable cotton print perfectly captures the ‘Melodie’ of cheerful birdsong with a combination of charming bird and birdcage illustarations, colourful butterfly motifs and floral sprigs. Open birdcages or birds outside of their cages, have historicaly been used to signify freedom or peace – both apt and desirable qualities for summer living.

‘Summer Holidays’ may seem like a strange choice of fabric name to include in a Birds and Butterflies section, but for all those taking annual leave to enjoy their own homes and gardens this summer, this adorable and whimsical little print couldn’t capture the scene more accurately! How often do we overlook the wildlife in our own back gardens? The mood captured here is one of a quintessentially English country garden and every detail has been observed. Butterflies flit between colourful potting sheds and apple trees and little birds hop between the shed roofs and birdhouses. Apple trees, bicycles, picket fencing, lawnmowers, swings and swing seats complete the artist’s accurate observations of an English summer holiday at home; and a complementary design called ‘Orchard’ offers a charming and versatile accompaniment to this delightful fabric!

This vintage shabby chic collection offers a very elegant and sophistcated approach to introducing a bird themed interior scheme. The Song Bird duvet set features beautifully detailed song birds in eau de nil blue and rose pink tones, emerging from vintage style wire bird cages. Sage green, leafy, boughs support dusky pink blooms and buds.

The set is fully coordinated for a totally achievable ‘get the look at home’ collection which includes pillow cases, birdcage and boudoir cushions, ...........

......... a luxury quilted throw, contrasting striped curtains and an interesting script rug.

Understated, modern, elegance incorporating our bird theme is beautifully captured in this Janet Reger bedding set too. A delicate colour palette called ‘Blush’ has been used to illustrate boughs of cherry blossom, amongst which nestle colourful and detailed budgerigars in shades of chartreuse, teal and turquoise. A very versatile and unlimiting design which would work for vintage and modern interiors alike.

Petticoat is a young and fresh collection incorporating many of the seasons key design elements such as texture, pops of strong colour, miss-matched patterns and pieced and patched fabrics. The ivory base plays host to a delightful colour combination of pale pinks, duckegg blues, taupe and lively splashes of hot pink.

An authentic looking patchwork print which mixes chevrons, ginghams, florals and spots, gives accent and detail to matching curtains and a luxurius quilted throw; and the set is completed and brought in to our summer theme with the addition of two adorable boudoir cushions called ‘Bird on a Branch’ and ‘Birdcage’

‘Lynette’ showcases a veritable menagerie of summer themed motifs, resulting in a stylish and detailed design which incorporates, songbirds, birdsong (reperesented by staves of musical notes), butterflies, birdcages, clock faces (to hint at the changng seasons), floral blooms and italic script.

The lifestyle image shows it against a white backdrop but this gorgeous set would look stunning against a teal blue wall to pick out the colour of the butterflies, would add a splash of colour to a contemporary black & white scheme, or would cool a feature wall painted in the coral red tones of the floral blooms.

And if you’re a minimalist at heart really and pretty or fluttery details aren’t your thing, then here’s a bold but simplistic and contemporary approach to our bird theme. This stylish and minimal setting is given impact with a lively kick of colour supplied by the carefully coordinated accessories and the luxurious flower and bird motif blanket. Simple.... but oh so stunning!

And here’s the tribute to this year’s predicted colour of the year – ‘Radiant Orchid’.

Pinks and purples have been featuring strongly throughtout the Spring and are set to continue their popularity into the Summer. Radiant Orchid in particular - a glowing, warm, pinkish, purple created by the fusion of deep lavender and mauve undertones – seems set to stay the course. Our Chantelle duvet set in pink, features butterflies, beautifully illustrated in varying shades of pinkish purples and a grounding greige (grey/beige) tone, against an ivory background. The look is simple and not overly fussy despite being detailed and works exceptionally well in the lifestyle shot against the eclectic mix of the bright modern room and the vintage bed and shabby chic style furniture.

And here is our butterfly theme combined with another of the season’s hottest, cool, trends –the classic blue and white combo. Blue and white together is a timeless and classic look, but Spring/Summer 2014 sees it enjoying a revival in interiors in particular. Our ‘Flutter’ bedding set features butterflies in multi-tonal shades of blue against a light background, finished with a blue and white spot border panel and reverse. The look is very clean, fresh and inviting – not to mention summery!

White is always right for summer, especially when you can use it like this to diffuse strong sunlight. Voiles and sheers can create a wonderfully soft and filtered lighting effect at your windows, as well as adding privacy and providing valuable protection for delicate fabrics and furnishings during the summer months. These Butterfly Lace Panels are affordable and easy to install and are therefore as changeable as the seasons!

Finally, if you’re a bit of a traditionalist with your fabrics and interiors, but you love butterflies, or you just want to introduce a touch of one of the season’s trends into your decor; then our ‘Butterfly’ ready made curtains and cushions couldn't make it easier for you. A light, neutral, base showcases flowers and leaf trails is a warm blush-beige colour, on which perch dainty blue and purple butterflies. The look is traditional, but relaxed and informal.