UK interior brand Graham & Brown has introduced its Design of the Year and Color of the Year, inspired by the studio’s Lancastrian roots and reflecting the influence of the natural world on the built environment—starting with the Rivington Terraced Gardens for its vision.
“Rivington Folly” features a lush landscape of ancient trees along with architectural columns and archways inspired by the replica Liverpool Castle located in Rivington. Available as a wallpaper, custom wall mural, made-to-measure curtains, and Roman blinds, the dark hues and intricate line art emulate the style of 18th-century Italian archaeologist and printmaker Giovanni Battista Piranesi. The hand-drawn design by Victoria Davidson merges textural elements from Lancashire County’s tree-lined skyline with intricately detailed architectural elements.
“[We] wanted to draw inspiration from things close to home and close to our hearts,” G&B head stylist and trend specialist Paula Taylor said in a brand announcement. “Time spent walking around a local landmark in Rivington really makes you appreciate the beauty that might often be overlooked, enhanced by the natural surroundings reclaiming the ancient architecture.”
Taylor continued, “For the Rivington Folly design we wanted to create a one-off, bespoke work of art that has been hand-drawn piece by piece in our studio. We found beauty in the imperfections and took our time creating a snapshot and breathing life into an ever-changing scene.”
Rivington Folly is available in several muted, earth-toned color themes echoing the shadowy landscape, murky skies, and delicate greenery, including the “Dusk” colorway developed in harmony with G&B’s Color of the Year, “Elderton.”
The complementary, neutral-toned brown of Elderton derives its name from the native elder shrub or tree. Curated to ensure a timeless design scheme, Elderton is a water-based, odorless, and ultralow-VOC eco-paint. “An inviting and stable color, [Elderton] creates a welcoming partnership between all of nature’s shades from sage to terracotta,” Taylor commented. “Elderton has a huge amount of depth, reconnecting us with nature and enhancing our relation to the earth.”
