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Presenting National Trust Papers III

Presenting National Trust Papers III

December 22nd, 2022
Little Greene

Continuing our partnership with the National Trust, we are delighted to present National Trust Papers III. This versatile new collection transforms historic designs into eight timeless wallpapers which have been designed in collaboration with the National Trust.

National Trust Papers III is an authentic collection of eight different wallpapers which represent over 200 years of decoration. Each design has been thoughtfully adapted and recoloured to create 45 beautiful colourways, perfect for use within the modern interior. The collection employs traditional methods of printing that have remained unchanged for over 100 years.

The wallpaper designs have been drawn from original source material found at three of the National Trust’s historic houses: Oxburgh Hall and Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, and Newark Park in Gloucestershire. To complete the collection, we have also recreated our treasured Upper Brook St. wallpaper in two bold new colourways.

Our Creative Director, Ruth, writes:

“Our collaboration with the National Trust allows us to uncover incredible designs and colours that can be shared through new wallpaper and paint collections. The contributions made from the sale of every roll of National Trust wallpaper and each tin of paint goes towards supporting the National Trust’s conservation work, to ensure the nation’s historic houses, gardens and landscapes can be enjoyed for years to come.”

Discover the collection…

Bird & Bluebell c. 1830-1870

Wallpaper: Bird and Bluebell – Pea Green, Ceiling: Dorchester Pink, Window Frame: Green Stone - Light, Skirting: Puck

This elegant mural featuring birds, bees and bluebells has been created from remaining fragments of wallpaper found at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. Originally on a striped background, the remaining source material has been adapted, transformed and recoloured to suit the contemporary interior.

Volières c.1950

Wallpaper: Volières – French Grey, Panelling: French Grey Pale, Wall, Dado and Skirting: French Grey

A more contemporary find, this wallpaper featuring 1950s style doves, ribbons and flowers is a reimagination of an 18th-century design. Found at Oxburgh Hall, an archived photograph revealed the location of this wallpaper in one of the bedrooms in the private family quarters. The wallpaper is thought to have been a visible reminder of Oxburgh’s last days under family ownership, having been put up for sale just months after the wallpaper was produced.

Poppy Trail c.1890-1900

Wallpaper: Poppy Trail – Masquerade, Ceiling: Masquerade, Panelling and Dado: Yellow-Pink

This flamboyant floral design featuring large, stylised poppies is a classic example of those in production during the late 19th century.

Although the designer is unknown, it is thought that it may have been the work of Arthur L. Gwatkin who produced papers of a very similar feel. This wallpaper was found on the walls of the corridor leading through to the top of the staircase at Felbrigg Hall, as well as a rolled sample in the attic stores.

Briar Rose c.1845-1915

Wallpaper: Briar Rose – Green Verditer, Ceiling and Skirting: Mid Azure Green, Fireplace: Green Verditer, Window Frame: Whitening

Wallpaper: Briar Rose – Green Stone, Ceiling, Wall and Upper Panelling: Green Stone - Pale, Lower Panelling, Dado and Skirting: Green Stone - Light, Kitchen Units: Book Room Green

Characterised as being in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style, evident in the densely stylised natural motifs, this wallpaper was originally designed by children’s book illustrator, Walter Crane. Many of Crane’s drawings became nursery wallpapers and ‘Briar Rose’ began its life as the background to a wallpaper called ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, which featured characters from Sleeping Beauty among the roses.

Found at Oxburgh Hall, little is known about where in the house the wallpaper was used, as much of the original exists today only as loose samples.

Upper Brook St. c.1920

Wallpaper: Upper Brook Street – Soleil, Door: Pale Lime, Skirting: Puck

Originally from our London V wallpaper collection, this design features brightly coloured kniphofia flowers, commonly known as torch lilies or red-hot pokers (African in origin but named after German horticulturalist Johan Hieronymous Kniphof). They were recorded as having been hand-painted and stuck over a pre-hung wall covering in a late 18th-century Upper Brook Street house as a bespoke decoration.

To replicate a natural scene behind the pokers, we have adapted a motif from our Stag Toile wallpaper.

Lovers’ Toile c.1950

Wallpaper: Lovers' Toile – Puck, Ceiling, Woodwork and Dado: Puck

This contemporary take on a classic pattern is a post WWII reinterpretation of an 18th-century French Toile de Jouy design. Featuring vignettes of people in activity including fishing, dancing and gardening, this single colour design has been printed in five modern colourways.

Dahlia Scroll c.1890-1900

Wallpaper: Dahlia Scroll – Giallo, Ceiling, Window Frame, Arch and Skirting: Silent White - Pale, Cornice: Slaked Lime - Dark

A scrolling floral design reminiscent of the early work of Voysey. Found at Newark Park, this two-toned wallpaper features an enlarged Dahlia, a motif typically found in Japanese design, whilst the sinuous plant forms based on a single flower are also characteristic of Art Nouveau.

Hoja c.1890-1900

Wallpaper: Hoja – Air Force Blue, Ceiling and Cupboard: Shirting, Dado & Skirting: Air Force Blue

Used to decorate one of the attic stores at Oxburgh Hall, this classic pattern featuring scrolling foliage has been surface printed to achieve a traditional, painterly finish. Although the design features elements from 17th century Spanish embossed and gilded leather, it is actually thought to have been of late 19th century origin due to its print substrate being machine printed paper.

Discover our guide to creating impact with wallpaper for inspiration on how to incorporate the National Trust Papers III collection in your scheme.

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