A few, meanwhile, took to a very ancient tradition that stretches back thousands of years: namely, the art of woodblock printing. This, we attribute in large part to the valiant and charming efforts of Molly Mahon, proponent-in-chief of the block print who, from her Sussex home, showed us how we could transform drab textiles such as tea towels into works of art using just some paint and – at that time – a potato. She has since brought out her own range of kits that make the craft all the easier and the results somewhat more polished. You can, of course, continue to use a potato if you so wish. Linoleum or rubber stamps also make a good alternative (anything so long as it creates a relief with which you can print in repeat onto fabric).
However, if you prefer to study the greats before you make your own fabrics/lampshades/wallpaper or, indeed, you simply want to buy from them and swerve the craft element altogether, these are the block printers to have on your radar.
Rapture and Wright
Cotswolds-based Rapture and Wright has a beautiful edit of hand-printed papers and fabrics. Run by graphic designer and illustrator duo, Peter Thwaites and Rebecca Aird, Rapture & Wright are one of the few remaining studios in the UK to print by hand. Their full range of botanical inspired, as well as intricate geometric repeat patterns, is available across wallpapers, cushions, fabrics and furniture, allowing you to layer up your room to your heart’s desire.
Molly Mahon
As the reigning queen of the hand block print, Sussex-based Molly Mahon has a loyal following for her bold-yet-simple repeat designs. Printed using Molly’s own block designs in Rajasthan, her cheerful perfectly imperfect prints now adorn everything from napkins to mugs, bedding, stationery and lighting. She also holds regular workshops and events for block print fans to try their own hand at the heritage technique. The cognoscenti’s favourite. And how we have swooned, again and again, over this MM-designed shepherd’s hut.
Pukka Print
Launched in London in 2013, Pukka Print’s hand-blocked linens are created in India and pay homage to classic motifs in a variety of punchy colours and scales. All background cloths are one hundred per cent linen – you can choose from natural or a lighter linen – and all handiwork comes courtesy of artisans who have honed their craft over generations.
Wicklewood
Wicklewood offers a brilliant remote design service via its website. Send over pictures of your room and the interior experts will help you pick the colour scheme or prints for you. They have focused on creating the products that, when added to a space, make the most impact, from an area rug to a range of scatter cushions for the sofa or a quilt for the bed. Their influences range from the Pacific Islands to Costa Rica, all the way to the hand-block printing of India. Designed for ‘modern nomads’, its ranges are perfect for renters who want to add personality to their home, and then take it with them when they move.
Sarah K
If you are looking for a traditional twist on hand-block printing and seek a more pared back palette, Sarah K is the perfect site. Amongst the crisp, scallop-edged bedlinens and smart monogrammed pillowcases are beautifully executed hand-block printed fabrics, all in pretty pastels or muted neutrals on a modern, white base. The best-selling leaf design print is available by the metre for the handy seamstress, as well as practical oilcloth for busy family homes. How beautiful is the Pink Daisy Quilt?
Blithfield
Launched in London in 1997 by American duo, Anne Dubbs and Elizabeth Downing, Blithfield has built an incredible archive of fabrics and wallpapers. With globally inspired references, and an exclusive reproduction range of British Designer Peggy Angus’ works, together they have brought many timeless designs up-to-date in modern colourways for a fresh take on print, renewing its charm for the next generation.
Hill and May
Specialising in pleated cotton lampshades created from delicate silks, rare Saris, and block printed cottons and linens, Hill and May has a riotous range of prints and colours on offer. A great way of adding a splash of colour and fun to a room, without it feeling overpowering. Choose your shade then pick your lamp base for the full mix and match look. We say: the bolder the better. We’re big fans of the Dasha Hot Pink shade, which would make any room more inviting in an instant.
Vanessa Arbuthnott
Gloucestershire-based Vanessa Arbuthnott has a fantastic made-to-measure service on her range of screen and hand-block printed fabrics, from blinds to cushion, headboards and even quilts. Vanessa started designing and printing her own fabrics to furnish her own converted Cow Byre in The Cotwolds. As requests from friends and family for her unique textiles took off, so did the business. Twenty-two years later, her range has grown to include homewares, gifts and rugs yet still with hand-printed fabric at its heart.
Nano Sefton
Nano Sefton may be based in Sydney where her much eulogised Pigott’s Store is a masterclass in how to layer print, but that doesn’t mean UK print lovers cannot bring a little of her joyous touch into their homes. In adherence to Indian decorative traditions, we love her Flower Buta print, which is light, lovely and available from The Mews Furnishings.
Print Charming: 5 Ways To Add Hand-Block Print To Your Home
1. If you are unsure, or want to dip your toe into hand-block prints, why not try a small repeat pattern – called a ‘boothi’ – on a white or neutral background? The ‘lite’ version of hand-block print, the calm, repetitive pattern is a simple start.
2. Another way to start introducing pattern to your home slowly is through accessories, such as cushions or lampshades. Before you invest in more permanent features such as wallpaper, curtains or furniture, they’re a great way of testing the water.
3. If you are ready to go bold, the best way to layer up hand-block prints is to play with pairing different scales of print, all in the same tonal palette. Try a big bold paisley, with a smaller boothi repeat print for instance; it may sound too busy but as long as you stick in the same colour palette, they will sit together beautifully.
4. If you are going to invest in hand-blocked printed wallpaper, think about the dimensions of your room and really play to its strengths. High ceilings can really take a big print, whereas narrow hallways can be made to feel wider with a horizontal pattern. Don’t clutter up your print with too many wall hangings, as that’s when patterns can feel overwhelming. Glass or perspex light switches and glass splashbacks in kitchens and bathrooms will allow your wallpaper to stand proud, uninterrupted.
5. When choosing a bright jewel colour for your home, think about colour psychology. For example, a saffron yellow will bring happiness and a shot of sunshine to a dark room, while a Jodphur blue will add a rich, sense of calm to a bedroom.
By Lydia Mansi
Updated June 2023
