Despite the recent chilly spell, spring is well and truly on its way now. Time to acknowledge it indoors as well. One seasonal change at ours is going to be the poster in the children's bedroom. Currently still showing snow-laden berried branches, the "picture" is in fact a sheet of wrapping paper by Emily Burningham. And it served as a winter-poster for the past few years already, as it is so well-liked.
Birds and Berries in the snow, detail from wrapping paper design by Emily Burningham
When I started my blog last summer and wrote the "About" page, I stated that I also love plants on textiles and wrapping paper. I do have a whole collection of the latter. But writing this I had one particular designer's output before my inner eye, and that is Emily's. Because for her flowers and plants form a huge part of her designs, not just a random subject amongst many. She literally seems to have a flower for every occasion and I absolutely love her simple, naturalistic, unaffected style.
I first came across it in some interior magazine a few years ago and was so taken with the Polyanthus and Elderberries- wrapped "presents" shown there that, totally out of tune with my usual habits, we ordered a whole hoard of sheets, of many different designs. And, as you may imagine, I've added to this booty since.
I first came across it in some interior magazine a few years ago and was so taken with the Polyanthus and Elderberries- wrapped "presents" shown there that, totally out of tune with my usual habits, we ordered a whole hoard of sheets, of many different designs. And, as you may imagine, I've added to this booty since.
Emily Burningham, a born and bred Londoner, started her own company in 2000 after graduating from Central St Martins College and working for several well-known companies. Cards and wrapping paper were her first products, until she did a "big leap of faith", as she has called it herself, and branched out into textile design. Today her business still offers paper products, but also fabrics by the metre for a variety of purposes as well as accessories like cushions, aprons, wash bags and such likes. The company is proud to do all their manufacturing in Britain, thus supporting other local businesses, ensuring ethical and environmental standards are met and cutting down on transport miles.
Of course, she not only creates floral patterns. There are, for example, sailing boats, lighthouses, seagulls and Japanese lantern designs. Yet I consider her style so distinct, I feel I could actually bet on recognizing her work if I came across it in a shop. (I know I shouldn't bet though: recently she's also released some bold and brightly coloured geometric patterns which I would NOT have ascribed to her.) Still, there is more than enough plant-related "material" in her portfolio for me to be curious and contact her.
Of course, she not only creates floral patterns. There are, for example, sailing boats, lighthouses, seagulls and Japanese lantern designs. Yet I consider her style so distinct, I feel I could actually bet on recognizing her work if I came across it in a shop. (I know I shouldn't bet though: recently she's also released some bold and brightly coloured geometric patterns which I would NOT have ascribed to her.) Still, there is more than enough plant-related "material" in her portfolio for me to be curious and contact her.
Hawthorn blossom and sparrows (detail), design by Emily Burningham
Obviously, I never mentioned any of the above to her - the only "gushing" I did was to say that I was a fan of her designs. Nonetheless, Emily agreed to be interviewed and you can read my questions and her answers by clicking the link button below. (Should, for any reason, the link not work, you'll find the interview in the "Portraits" section of this website.)
As for the children's bedroom, I'm not sure what we'll put up now. "Spring flowers" would be the immediate response, of course. There are more than enough to choose from in Emily Burningham's collection. But I have a suspicion that my two will opt for their favourite animal, the dolphin, instead. As Emily hasn't a dolphin design on offer, she'll vanish from our walls until next winter. Doesn't matter. In the meantime there are enough birthdays and other occasions coming up for me to make good use of her non-wintery creations.
As for the children's bedroom, I'm not sure what we'll put up now. "Spring flowers" would be the immediate response, of course. There are more than enough to choose from in Emily Burningham's collection. But I have a suspicion that my two will opt for their favourite animal, the dolphin, instead. As Emily hasn't a dolphin design on offer, she'll vanish from our walls until next winter. Doesn't matter. In the meantime there are enough birthdays and other occasions coming up for me to make good use of her non-wintery creations.
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