Wolsey takes its name from Cardinal Wolsey, whose gardens at Hampton Court gave the Royal Gardens group of designs its name, and it is woven as a rich, damask-like pattern rather than printed: the 69 centimetre repeat gives it a formal, architectural rhythm suited to a room with some grandeur. The weave gives the pattern a depth a print could not match, since the motif is built into the structure of the cloth rather than sitting on its surface.
The composition is 55 per cent viscose, 31 per cent cotton and 14 per cent polyester. It is 124 centimetres wide, with a 69 centimetre vertical and 31 centimetre horizontal repeat, and GP & J Baker tested it to 35,000 Martindale rubs, which is rated for upholstery. There is one colourway, Verdigris, the soft blue-green of weathered copper, a colour closely associated with the palace roofs the design takes its inspiration from.
We use it for a pair of curtains in a formal drawing room, and it upholsters a wing chair or a pair of dining chairs handsomely. Pair it with a plain linen or velvet in a deeper green, and keep metalwork and trims in aged brass or bronze to echo the verdigris tone throughout the room. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.
Allow a full 69 centimetre repeat per drop and match the pattern across widths, since a damask-scale design shows any misalignment clearly. Line and interline curtains; for upholstery, centre the motif on the main seat and back panels, and at 35,000 rubs it will hold up to regular use on a dining or occasional chair without special handling.
-
Composition: 55% viscose, 31% cotton, 14% polyester
-
Width: 124 cm (49 in)
-
Pattern repeat: 69 cm vertical, 31 cm horizontal
-
Abrasion resistance: 35,000 rubs (Martindale)
-
Suitable for: Upholstery, Curtains
-
Care: Dry clean professionally; do not wash, bleach or iron.
-
Collection: Historic Royal Palaces, GP & J Baker
-
Colourways: 1 (Verdigris)
