Since the late 1960's brother's-in-law Peter Osborne and Antony Little have been creating bold and vibrant wallpaper and textiles with a definitive nod to the Belle Epoque movement of the early 20th century. They founded their namesake design firm at a time when wallpaper prints were confined to musty chintz florals, the antithesis of London's cultural youth movement. "The competition for wallpapers then was dire," recalls Peter, "and we called the mostly dingy papers around at that time 'porridge'." The hip term for the new wave of bolder, large-scale, geometric designs was "pattern push".
As creative director for the company, Little pulled from many influences, including artist Aubrey Beardsley, Celtic, Aztec, and Native American motifs, in his creation of the majority of the designs. Little had previously worked with Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki in 1966 on the creation of the brand's black and gold logo and his own London home paid homage to the exotic glamour through "anti-modernist" flourishes such as peacock feathers, Chinoiserie, and his own Beardsley-inspired illustrations.
Today Peter Osborne acts as CEO of the company and, since Little retired 4 years ago, "editor" if not entirely creative director. "When we bring out a new product, it's a democratic decision-making process involving our entire team. But I draw the line at things I don't like. If I wouldn't want it in my home, I
won't give it the thumbs up."
Although the company's motifs have evolved over the past few decades, their original designs from 1968 are in high-demand as a re-released vintage collection and their more current designs have graced such high-profile homes as the Clinton White House and Buckingham Palace.
As creative director for the company, Little pulled from many influences, including artist Aubrey Beardsley, Celtic, Aztec, and Native American motifs, in his creation of the majority of the designs. Little had previously worked with Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki in 1966 on the creation of the brand's black and gold logo and his own London home paid homage to the exotic glamour through "anti-modernist" flourishes such as peacock feathers, Chinoiserie, and his own Beardsley-inspired illustrations.
Today Peter Osborne acts as CEO of the company and, since Little retired 4 years ago, "editor" if not entirely creative director. "When we bring out a new product, it's a democratic decision-making process involving our entire team. But I draw the line at things I don't like. If I wouldn't want it in my home, I
won't give it the thumbs up."
Although the company's motifs have evolved over the past few decades, their original designs from 1968 are in high-demand as a re-released vintage collection and their more current designs have graced such high-profile homes as the Clinton White House and Buckingham Palace.
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