Natalie's Sketchbook

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Walter Crane wallpapers

As well as illustrating numerous children's books, Walter Crane (1845-1915) was one of the best known designers of children's wallpapers in England during the 1870's and 1880's. Much of his design work was based on popular fairy tales of the time, such as 'The Sleeping Beauty' (1879) and 'The House that Jack built' (1886).
Crane's wallpaper designs were used in many of Europe's and America's most elegant houses, and were considered to be educational as well as beautiful. I agree!

'Miss Mouse at Home' designed by Walter Crane in 1877 and produced by Jeffrey & Co.

'The Sleeping Beauty' wallpaper was designed by Crane in 1879 and produced by Jeffrey & Co.

'Saxon Roses' 1909

There is a great exhibition on at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York: Wall Stories: Children's Wallpaper and Books. Several of Crane's designs and book illustrations are on display, alongside designs that chronicle the decoration of nursery bedrooms from the 1870's onwards. The exhibition runs until April 5, 2009.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Folk Flowers coverlet and sham

A kaleidoscope of colourful folk style flowers decorate this cosy coverlet design for girls. Visit the hiccups website for details!

Hummingbird wallpaper

Inspired by the movie Benjamin Button, here is one of my favourite wallpaper designs - 'Hummingbird' by Cole & Son, dating from 1755.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Antique Dollhouses

Antique dollhouses often offer a detailed insight into the domestic lifestyles of their era. These wonderful examples are from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

An English wooden doll's house dated from 1783, later restored by the artist and writer Denton Welch in the 1940's.

A modest shop-bought doll's house from the late 1700's

A Tudor style dollhouse manufactured by English firm Lines Bros Ltd in 1932

A painted wooden dollhouse from the early 1800's

May Foster's House was built c. 1800 and is furnished in the style of the period. It is believed that this is a copy of May Foster's family home in Liverpool, designed for her by her famous architect father, John Foster (1786-1846).

The Drew House was made in the early 1860's, said to be manufactured from orange boxes, yet beautifully furnished with items from an important German doll's house furniture maker - Schneegas of Waltershausen.

The Tate Baby House c. 1760, was made in Dorset and is said to be modelled on an 18th century Dorset house, owned and well looked after by a lady. Children would have only been able to play with the house occasionally under strict supervision. What a sumptuous interior!

The Nuremburg House was crafted in Germany in 1673, and is the oldest house in the V&A collection.

Not exactly a dollhouse but a child's wardrobe made by Edmund Joy in 1712, in the form of a house resembling the Kew Palace in West London.

A doll house designed by Jessie M. King in 1912 as part of a nursery collection, influenced by the Glasgow style of decorative art. Fairytale magic for a little girl!

Lady of the Manor

I am not sure why but lately I have become a little obsessed with wallpaper designs. Here is another lovely design from Anthropologie - Lady of the Manor. Also a little toile de jouy-esque, always a good thing in my book!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

New wallpaper inspired by times past

I love this wallpaper design 'Girl on a See Saw' from Anna French - a kid friendly version of toile de jouy!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Birds on the wall

A freshly coloured wallpaper design from Catherine Martin's new collection for Porter's Paints. I love this pale blue colourway - I can picture teaming crisp white bedlinen with a couple of red and white gingham cushions to create an elegant space for an older (but not quite teen) girl.