Liberty Interiors: The Botanical Atlas Collection
Delve into the design story behind our flora and fauna-inspired wallpaper collection
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Liberty Interiors: The Botanical Atlas Collection
Delve into the design story behind our flora and fauna-inspired wallpaper collection
By: Charlotte OlbyThis season, the new wallpaper collection from Liberty Fabrics takes us on a global voyage, inspired by Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty’s expeditions to Japan, China, Persia and India during the 1880s-1910s. The Botanical Atlas collection comprises 13 new designs in 38 rich colourways that showcase the flora and fauna experienced by Arthur on his travels. From trailing Chinoiserie motifs to miniature Persian Garden illustrations; Indian Moghul paintings and art dating from the Japanese Edo period – this cross-pollination of styles reimagines traditional techniques with modern accents. Rare specimens, sculptural leaves, magnificent flowers and imaginary forests are all juxtaposed with tranquil stripes and mesmerising geometrics to form a collection of wallpapers that celebrates the natural world in all its glory. How will you style yours?
‘The Liberty archive has over 55,000 designs – most of which relate in some way to flowers and plants. The Botanical Atlas Collection was an opportunity to take a deeper look at the origin, symbolism, medicinal, aesthetic, and folkloric meanings of plants and flowers from around the world and through time’ says Genevieve Bennett, Head of Design of Liberty Interior
‘It was so exciting to go to the archive and explore the cross-pollination of style of British and European, as well as Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Middle Eastern botanicals through the decades. We selected a range of designs from 1875 to 1980 – some well-loved and some unseen. We also explored special surfaces for the wallpapers – incorporating new and exciting bases with richness, texture, and depth.’
Discover the Botanical Atlas Collection
Timeless and versatile, this classic stripe design was inspired by a traditional Japanese Obi sash from an antique kimono, and textural grosgrain ribbons. Constructed in compact, narrow widths and tonal colour gradations, Obi Stripe creates a subtle ombre effect to make for an interior staple – perfect as a coordinate or a feature wall.
This luxurious and poised botanical was inspired by a tiny fragment of fabric discovered in the Liberty archive, dating back to 1895 and was lovingly restored with delicate shading and inky washes. Bold, stylised Poppies appear to flow in undulating synergy, within a setting of winding foliage and tiny flowering buds – paying homage to Liberty’s long-standing association with the Arts and Crafts movement.
Originally created as a woven textile piece, Berry Tree was reimagined as a fresh and contemporary printed wallpaper. Stylised berries are suspended from elegant branches in delicate linear formations, offering a sanctuary of subtle serenity. Printed using specialist techniques which emulate traditional block printing effects.
First printed as a Liberty furnished fabric during the 1970s, this magnificent landscape has been repainted and adapted in-house to incorporate new stylistic elements and recoloured in tonal and harmonious palettes. Inspired by traditional Chinoiserie wallpaper panels from the 17th and 18th centuries, we’ve printed Floating Palace onto a metallic base reminiscent of antique lacquerware and delicate glass.
Originally designed during the height of Liberty's Iconic Art Nouveau period, Hana is an enticing botanical brimming with ephemeral opulence. Sleek, sweeping Poppies and Carnations are decorated with distinctive sinuous stems, underpinned by a complex network of waves and scattered blossom flowers. This beautifully elaborate pattern has been reinvented once more, layered in mellow neutral hues.
This wonderfully kinetic pattern was inspired by Japanese indigo printed textiles, Mizuhiki knots and kimono linings – as well as a hand-painted design created in the Liberty studio. Illustrated with geometric and delicate precision, the overlapping endless circles create a display of mesmerising movement brought to life with subtle pigment.
Bathed in soft light to accentuate the nuanced tones and textures, Porcelain Trail is a Chinese style, ornate floral. Based on a hand-painted furnishing design originally printed for Liberty during the late 1960s, this edited version has been exquisitely redrawn, resized and recoloured. Its winding branches are dotted with Blossom flowers and spectacular Chrysanthemums, combining directional design, artistry, and innovation.
Painted entirely by hand by the Liberty Design Team, this captivating panoramic design was inspired by the book ‘Around the World in 80 Trees’ by Jonathan Drori. Enchanted Wood features stylised trees from Maple, Willow, Orange, Pear and even includes an imagined Liberty floral tree weaving through lush woodlands, meandering streams and delicate grasses.
Inspired by the historic tradition of studied illustration, Magical Plants comes together to embrace exquisite natural forms in a majestic, trailing garden. Featuring hand-painted magnolias, fuchsia, wisteria, lily of the valley, white dogwood and nutmeg and printed on a super wide-width textured ground with subtle lustre and sheen.
A celebration of the Cherry Blossom, Sakura embraces the minimalist aesthetic of this Japanese flower. Scattered clusters of simplified buds and blooms appear to float through a windswept sky, referencing the many variations of Blossom patterns found in the Liberty archive. Hand painted in delicate watercolour, these serene flowers appear to be bathed in diffused light.