From intricate craftsmanship to bold innovation, Christopher Farr Cloth has spent the past quarter-century
bridging cultures and design styles to redefine what it means to create with meaning. For us, true luxury
lies in creating a thoughtful legacy: it’s not just about patterns that speak to today, but about the stories we
leave behind for tomorrow.
The anniversary collection brings together some of our most cherished
collaborators, those who’ve shaped our journey from the very beginning. The collection features
five chairs and six quilts, each designed by the likes of Martin Brudnizki, Kit Kemp, Ron Arad, Julian
Chichester, and more. Together, these pieces stand as a tribute to the artistic integrity, collaborative spirit,
and creativity that define Christopher Farr Cloth.
BY ANNE TOLLETT
BEAUTY SOOTHES THE SOUL
Ebullient and effervescent are words that capture the qualities of Anne
Tollett, principal at Hanover Avenue. Her quilt has a powerful personal
story and has been exquisitely brought to life by dedicated quilters.
“My darling Daughter fought and beat late-Stage IV Cancer twice in three
years, and designing this quilt helped sooth my shattered soul. There is a
frantic desperation that comes from watching your child fight to live, but
creating beauty from pain is powerful and healing. The exuberance of the
design and the lively colors are a celebration of her remission, the flowers
are all those that were “off limits” during her treatment.”
The background fabric is named “Richmond” which happens to be the city
in Virginia where Anne and her family live.
Martin Brudnizki and Nick James are the partners in And Objects.
They approach the design process by adopting the roles of artists,
engineers and master craftsmen. They have collaborated on ground breaking interiors such as The Royal Academy of Arts, Soho House
and the fabulous Annabels. Their philosophy of designing objects that
perfectly straddle the gap between functionality and beauty make
them the perfect choice to collaborate with Cloth’s design studio
to produce fabrics with exquisite handle and refinement rooted in
historical research. Their Candover Daybed is crafted from a solid
beech timber frame and has an elevated cushion seat. Crafted by
hand the daybed is wrapped to the floor in contrasting Cloth fabrics
called Voyage and Boundary. Exquisite piping to the edges and base
add the expected refinement and provides a lounger perfect for
contemplation.
The quilt by the Cloth Studio and Alice Kettle draws direct inspiration
from our reverence for the weavers of the Bauhaus school. Cloth is
mindful of the issues around sustainability, and this is underscored
by incorporating remnants and offcuts from the discontinued designs. Created by British contemporary textile artist Alice Kettle, and
Nina Luminati the piece is intricately embroidered with a rich array of
foliage motifs creating a playful and thoughtful homage to one of the
20th century’s most influential textile pioneers. The result captures
the signature colour, craftsmanship, and deep archival spirit that
have defined Christopher Farr Cloth for the last 25 years.
George Smith furniture holds a significant place among designers today,
much like Howard & Sons did throughout the 20th century in Britain
and the Empire. Our neighbour on Kings Road in London, George Smith
exemplifies outstanding furniture design and traditional craftsmanship.
The new Alba chair in the exhibition is about shared excellence. It is
characterized by clean lines, sculptural forms and carefully considered
proportions. Rooted in circles, romance and flowing curves, the design
conveys a modern Bloomsbury sensibility. The chair is upholstered in
Foliage an embroidery designed by the French textile artist Veronique de
Soultrait, which is paired with Soprano natural and Reef ecru.
BY JO LE GLEUD, MADDUX CREATIVE
SILVER SPAN
Using an iconic pattern from Christopher Farr Cloth as her starting point, Jo
turned to Brutalist art and architecture, an aesthetic she has long admired. Her
references drew on the concrete murals of William Mitchell and the architectural language of the Barbican. She hand-stitched directly into the fabric, echoing
Brutalist textures through running stitches, back stitches, bullion knots and
satin stitches. To frame the work, she created a fabric interpretation of Tramp
Art using four contrasting cloths and, for the reverse, selected ‘Carnival’ in copper, bringing harmony to the palette while introducing playful tension of pattern.
Inspired by the craft of English furniture makers and influenced by mid
Century design, Julian Chichester is a perfect foil for Cloth fabrics which
are regularly showcased in both Chelsea Harbour and High Point. Julian
Chichester is an avid traveler and is immersed in the art as such he a
kindred spirit to Michal Silver, founder of Christopher Farr Cloth.
The Walt Chair is an ode to the era that spanned the development of the
animated motion picture medium as an American form of modern Art.
Following on from the wildly successful Disney Exhibition held at the
Metropolitan Museum in New York the chair’s whimsical silhouette is
perfectly attuned to Lapaz one of Julian’s favourite fabrics from Cloth.
Kit Kemp presides over a studio which designs not only beautiful interiors but a wide range of products. Kit is a past master at collaboration and
conveys her signature with enviable ease across a wide range. This is apparent in the Firmdale wing back dubbed “golden hours”. It is supremely
comfortable and has the vivacity and craftsmanship that is synonymous
with the studio’s style. Covered in a selection of fabrics designed with
Cloth a secret, whimsical detail that captures the designer’s style is the
pocket to stash a book so that it is close at hand when next there is a
chance to put up your feet and while away a golden hour.
Ron Arad is a hugely influential British Israeli designer. His work has had
an outsized influence on the creative spirit at Cloth. When approached
to design a chair Ron said that for him Cloth was about fabric so this is
what he would design to drape over the form of a chair. His bravado and
insights immediately charmed us, and it was with a sense of awe that we
awaited the samples of “Under Cover” from the Belgian Mill which took
on the task of creating this complicated tapestry weave. It is truly a work
of art.
BY SCOTT SANDERS
SUNNY DAYS AND COOL WATER MAKE 'HAPPY FLOWERS'
Scott Sanders is a New York and Palm Beach based designer with a
whimsical sensibility. He is known for interiors that transcend trend
and remain forever stylish. He accepted our invitation to design a
quilt with enthusiasm and having recently commissioned a custom
colour of this Veronique de Soultrait pattern it was the initial source
of his idea for a quilt that captures the nostalgic charm of summer.
The quilt evokes the beauty of the Hamptons, from its sun-soaked
beaches and colourful gardens to its carefree summer energy. For
Scott, the Hamptons are a source of joy and creativity, and this quilt
captures that feeling through its bright colors and playful patterns.
It’s a celebration of sunshine, nature, and the happiness they bring.
Widely respected and central to the spirit of Suzy Hoodless Studio is an alchemy that mixes eras with a fearless approach to colour. Suzy includes surprise in
her designs, this may come in the form of the unexpected, a touch of whimsy or
a dash of frivolity. Suzy was inspired to capture these qualities in her quilt.
“I first noticed the artichoke in Terence Conran’s Garden then recently, at
Charleston Manor. It’s such a majestic, sculptural plant - and one I also love to
eat. I was drawn to bright greens and blues with subtle greys. Colours that are
synonymous with Christopher Farr Cloth.”
Bunny and Emma at Turner Pocock are dream weavers. They see
themselves as facilitators who create the interiors that their clients
can only imagine in the sweetest of dreams.
The whimsical charm of their quilt captures this quality of ethereal
lightness and graceful movement. The Cloth designs they chose
could not be more appropriate to the spirit of this dynamic duo –
“Peace and Love” and “We sailed Away”.
