Birds, Cutouts, and the Art of Fabrication
Birds have always fascinated me. Their colours, shapes, wings, and movement—there’s something endlessly expressive about them. I’ve been drawing birds for years, not with the goal of realism, but with a love for pattern and abstraction. The more stylised the shape, the more freedom I feel.
It’s no surprise that birds often appear in my designs. I’m drawn to their decorative potential, especially when exploring new textile ideas. Ornate illustrations like those in John Audubon’s Birds of America series are stunning and inspiring, though I’ve never aimed to replicate that level of detail. My focus is on capturing essence, rhythm, and form.
For our new interiors range, I leaned into silhouettes—cutouts inspired by Matisse’s later work. Using tracing paper, I began layering patterns over bird shapes, experimenting with plumage-inspired motifs and colour combinations. The result? Two distinct bird designs, each with its own personality, rendered in vibrant palettes that celebrate movement and texture.
It’s amazing how a simple bird shape can evolve into something so unique. These designs feel intentional, personal, and full of life—just like the spaces we hope they’ll inhabit.
Why do birds resonate so deeply in interior textiles? Perhaps it’s their symbolism, their freedom, or their natural elegance. Whatever the reason, they continue to inspire.
We’d love to know—do you enjoy drawing birds too? What motifs speak to you when designing your space?
