The Sanderson Design Group has long been known as a home emporium of pattern, colour, and print. Now, it has opened up its vault of design treasures to launch a new brand, Archive. Smashing the barriers between heritage and modernity, Archive exists to reignite a love for timeless designs by the likes of Pat Etheridge, C.F.A. Voysey and William Morris, and make them relevant for interiors today. Embracing maximalism is in the brand’s very being: a bold exploration of prints and patterns, it pushes boundaries and goes beyond the expected, channelling British eccentricity with self-expression at the fore.
With its first releases, the Archive team had the glorious task of cherry-picking some of the most memorable designs from Sanderson Design Group’s past, ranging from the Arts & Crafts era to the swinging Sixties. They put together an eclectic mix of patterns, giving each one a new lease of life through vibrant colourways. Take the iconic ‘Golden Lily’, perhaps the most enduring design by William Morris’ protégé John Henry Dearle. The new fantastical reworking sees the design available as a printed velvet and matching wallpaper. It comes in four colourways including ‘Espresso’, which pairs muted tones with the daring swirling tendrils of the print, and the far more flamboyant ‘Serotonin Pink’. The latter shouts freedom of expression, and, when the fabric and wallpaper are put together, has the ultimate rock and roll feel.
Archive pushes boundaries and goes beyond the unexpected, channelling British eccentricity with self-expression at the fore
Other stand-out designs include two wallpapers by William Morris: the recoloured 1864 ‘Fruit’ design with its twisting, diagonal stems of fruit and flowers that evokes the symbolism of the Mediterranean, and his ‘Daisy’ strewn pattern that still feels delightfully fresh now. Both prints have a gorgeous Arts & Crafts feel, ensuring they are charming and cohesive without being too overbearing in a scheme.
One of the most daring designs from the collection is ‘Forbidden Fruit’. An energetic reimagination of Pat Etheridge’s 1968 ‘Nana’, it celebrates the vision of her original botanic print, featuring poison greens prickling under petals of copper and an entangled orchard of deep tones and natural hues. Once considered too risqué for the design world, her trademark bohemian energy lends itself brilliantly to a more liberal time.
Maximalism through the Archive lens is a heady mix of energetic and enigmatic prints. Aimed at the design curious non-conformist, more is more and scale is queen. It is about creating interiors that inspire others to be brave. Stripes combine with print patterns in evocative spaces; matching curtains and wallpaper can be paired up for a no holds barred commitment to colour and pattern.
There is artistic bedding to anchor a room, from the steely blue hues of ‘Strawberry Thief Beetle Mania’ to ‘Palmetto’, with its exotic rubber plants and passion flowers that bring to mind an orangery. And plush velvet colourful cushions finished with extravagant trims – one highlight is the superbly symmetrical 1895 tulip and bird print by C.F.A. Voysey. This is a brand that marches to its own dynamic beat, where difference is encouraged and there are no home design rules to follow.
Archive Sanderson Design Group, Chalfont House, Oxford Road, Denham UB9 4DX
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