The British American Design Connection

Are we really so different? And what makes us so very alike? The perceptions of British and American stereotypes on either side of the Atlantic are usually quite funny and on occasion, our very different approaches are the stuff of comedy. It’s true that the British think the Americans are very direct and to the point. By contrast, it might be hard to tell what a British person is really saying because they are notoriously understated. And then we mix up all the words; trousers are not pants, pants are knickers, Designers are still, well, Designers but what Brit’s call joiners and builders are known to Yank’s as a very proper all in one General Contractor. There’s a picture for you - A willing General Contractor who gets the job done with a nice Designer and neither of whom get their knickers in a twist!

But of course when it comes to interiors, there are British & American collaborations that work exceptionally well together. And when these conversations happen, it’s all about the language of good design. Companies from across the UK are elevating their heritage by maintaining the traditions of craft and creating bespoke products of exceptional quality. These international award winning brands in product and textile design can be found in Designer’s resource guides and are showroom favorites all over the world. All are hallmarks of enduring British style and innovation as the global reach of the interiors marketplace provides access. And now many can be found stateside in new ventures, both online and free standing locations.

Here’s a few recent favorites:

Natural Curiosities: Reproduction Prints and Art. This LA based art house and collection was founded in 2004 by Christopher Wilcox, a former book dealer from Cornwall. Considering himself a post modern antiquarian, Wilcox directs a a truly collaborative studio of international artists and printmakers with an archive of over 70,000 images. His work has been featured in hotels, boutiques and by leading interiors designers, including Nina Campbell. https://naturalcuriosities.com

Timorous Beasties Textiles and Wall Coverings Timourous Beasties was established in Glasgow in 1990 by Alastair McCauley and Paul Simmons who met studying textile design at Glasgow School of Art. Today, these masters of nature inspired patterns take it technicolor with their exuberant re-inventions of the classics, from their outsize scale to impossibly wild color. Now freestanding locations are popping up through out the UK and Paris. In addition to finding way into contemporary Museum collections, Timorous Beasties brand clients include Famous Grouse, Nike, Fortnum & Mason, and Philip Treacy, and of course, well designed homes internationally. At DeSousa Hughes, San Francisco. https://www.timorousbeasties.com/

Farrow & Ball Premium Paint Farrow & Ball are a century old British manufacturer of paints and wallpapers largely based upon historic colour palettes and archives. The rich heritage colour palette has a Beatrix Potter style line up of names, such as Mole’s Breath, Dimpse and Dead Salmon which have become talking points in themselves. But then again, a recent parody on Saturday Night Live might be making an American late night name out of this Designer favorite. Yes, It’s expensive but oh, such good paint. farrowandball.com

Timothy Oulton: Furnishings Hailing from Manchester England, this son of an antique store owner set off designing a line of furnishings that eventually brought him to LA, where in 2008, he opened his first in store shop with HD Buttercup. Playing on British classic styling with a dash of eccentricity, Oulton does British Punk Rock meets traditional with outsized Union Jack upholstery and other reinvented old school curiosities. Showrooms are now located worldwide. https://www.timothyoulton.com

OKA: Furnishings and Accessories Already a well established furnishings company and lively lifestyle e-commerce brand in the UK, OKA crossed the pond and expanded into the US this past Fall - 2019. All women founded in 1999 as a mail order interiors company, it had the design endorsement of Bruce Oldfield and Jane Churchill. The company continues to collaborate with great tastemakers such as the witty Nicky Haslem & Penny Morrison. Their signature bespoke designs represent the best in British craftsmanship and the well travelled eye every good designer seeks to hold. The catalogues are full of inspiration with homes in breath taking locations and a ‘shop the look’ appeal. Look for a follow up post on more of this super accessible British brand and my favorite picks. https://www.oka.com