A Legacy of Craft: The Enduring History of Cole & Son Wallpaper
For nearly 150 years, Cole & Son has stood as a beacon of excellence in the world of wallpaper design, a testament to the enduring power of artistry, innovation, and a deep respect for heritage. From its humble beginnings in a North London workshop to its current status as a global icon of luxury interiors, the story of Cole & Son is a rich tapestry woven with threads of royal patronage, groundbreaking techniques, and a design archive that is unparalleled in the industry. This article delves into the academic and historical journey of a brand that has not only decorated the walls of palaces and parliaments but has also consistently shaped the very essence of interior design.
The Foundation of a Design Dynasty
The origins of Cole & Son can be traced back to 1873, when John Perry, the son of a Cambridgeshire vicar, established his wallpaper business in Islington, North London [1]. In an era on the cusp of industrial revolution, Perry’s vision was rooted in the time-honored traditions of hand-craftsmanship. While many of his contemporaries were embracing the speed and efficiency of mechanization, Perry steadfastly championed the art of hand-block printing, a decision that would become a cornerstone of the company’s identity and a key differentiator in the market. This commitment to quality and artistry quickly garnered attention, and by 1888, the company had already begun to expand its collection of historical designs through the acquisition of printing blocks from H. Scott Richmond [2].
Upon John Perry’s passing, the company was acquired by Albert P. Cole, a London wallpaper showroom owner who not only gave the company its enduring name but also continued its legacy of expansion and preservation. A pivotal moment in the company’s history occurred in 1934 with the acquisition of the extensive printing block collection from the esteemed decorating firm, Cowtan & Son. This collection, which included blocks from the renowned J.C. Crace & Son, spanned two centuries of design and solidified Cole & Son’s position as the custodian of the largest and most significant archive of original wood blocks in the trade [2].
A Century of Innovation in Wallpaper Manufacturing
While deeply rooted in tradition, Cole & Son has never been a company to rest on its laurels. Innovation has been a constant and vital thread throughout its history. John Perry himself was an inventor, developing a groundbreaking process to imitate the lustrous sheen of silk on wallpaper by using ground mica [2]. This mica-ground printing technique revolutionized the wallpaper industry in the late 19th century, allowing decorators to achieve the opulent appearance of silk damask wall coverings at a fraction of the cost. The process involved carefully grinding mica into a fine powder and suspending it in a specialized printing medium, which when applied to paper and allowed to dry, created an iridescent surface that captured and reflected light in the same manner as woven silk textiles.
Perry also engineered a single-color surface printing machine that replicated the nuanced, textural quality of block printing in a more efficient rotary style. This innovation represented a significant advancement in wallpaper production technology, as it maintained the artisanal character of hand-printed papers while increasing output capacity. The company is also credited with reviving the ancient technique of flocking, a process that uses fine wool shavings to create a rich, velvety texture that imitates cut and stamped velvet [2]. Flocking had been a popular decorative technique in the 18th century but had fallen out of favor due to the labor-intensive nature of the process. Cole & Son’s revival of this method demonstrated the company’s commitment to preserving traditional decorative arts while making them accessible to a broader market.
The evolution of printing techniques at Cole & Son reflects the broader history of decorative arts in Britain. Hand-block printing, which the company championed from its inception in the 1870s, represented the pinnacle of craftsmanship in wallpaper production. Each wooden block was meticulously carved by skilled artisans, with separate blocks required for each color in a design. The printer would then carefully align and press each block onto the paper in sequence, building up layers of color and pattern to create the final design. This labor-intensive process resulted in wallpapers of exceptional quality and depth, with subtle variations that gave each roll a handcrafted character.
This spirit of innovation continued into the 20th century. In 1945, Cole & Son established one of the first screen-printing studios in the United Kingdom, a move that allowed for greater flexibility in design and color [3]. Screen printing technology opened new possibilities for wallpaper design, enabling the reproduction of more complex patterns with a wider range of colors than traditional block printing could achieve. This new capability was showcased to great acclaim when the company was commissioned to produce wallpapers for the landmark Festival of Britain in 1951, a celebration of British design and ingenuity that marked the nation’s emergence from post-war austerity.
The Influence of Historical Design Movements
Cole & Son’s design philosophy has been profoundly influenced by the major decorative movements of the past two centuries. The company’s archive contains examples of Regency elegance, Victorian opulence, Arts and Crafts simplicity, and Art Deco geometry. During the Victorian era, wallpaper became an essential element of middle-class domestic decoration, with elaborate floral patterns, architectural motifs, and trompe-l’oeil effects dominating fashionable interiors. Cole & Son’s historical collection includes stunning examples of Victorian dado papers, frieze borders, and ceiling papers that demonstrate the period’s love of layered, richly decorated surfaces.
The Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought a renewed appreciation for handcrafted quality and nature-inspired design, values that aligned perfectly with Cole & Son’s manufacturing philosophy. William Morris, the movement’s most influential figure, revolutionized wallpaper design with his intricate botanical patterns based on careful observation of natural forms. While Morris founded his own company, his influence on the broader wallpaper industry was profound, and Cole & Son’s archive includes designs that reflect this aesthetic shift toward organic, flowing patterns and a more restrained color palette.
The Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s introduced geometric abstraction, exotic motifs, and metallic finishes to wallpaper design. Cole & Son embraced these modernist influences while maintaining their commitment to quality craftsmanship. The company’s Art Deco designs featured stylized floral patterns, sunburst motifs, and architectural elements rendered in bold colors and metallic inks. These designs represented a departure from the naturalistic patterns of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, reflecting the machine age’s celebration of speed, luxury, and geometric form.
A Royal Warrant and a Storied Archive
Cole & Son’s reputation for quality and design excellence has earned it the highest of accolades, including a Royal Warrant, signifying that the company is a purveyor of goods to the British Royal Family. Its wallpapers have graced the walls of some of the most prestigious buildings in the world, including the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and Windsor Castle [2]. The company’s work in these historic buildings often involves careful restoration of original wallpapers or the creation of new designs that harmonize with period architecture and existing decorative schemes.
The company’s archive, a treasure trove of over 3,500 hand-carved wooden blocks and a vast collection of paper designs, is a living library of wallpaper history. This archive, which includes designs dating back to the 18th century, provides an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the company’s in-house design studio. It is this ability to draw upon its rich past while embracing contemporary aesthetics that allows Cole & Son to create wallpapers that are both timeless and of the moment. The archive serves not only as a resource for reproduction of historical designs but also as a foundation for contemporary reinterpretations that translate classic motifs into modern colorways and scales.
Iconic Designs and Contemporary Interior Design Applications
Over the decades, Cole & Son has produced some of the most iconic and beloved wallpaper designs in history. The whimsical and enchanting “Woods” pattern, with its starkly beautiful birch trees, has become a modern classic, appearing in countless interior design publications and inspiring a generation of nature-inspired wallpaper designs [2]. The pattern’s success lies in its versatility—it can create a serene, Scandinavian-inspired backdrop in a minimalist interior or serve as a dramatic focal point in a more eclectic space. Interior designers frequently specify “Woods” for accent walls in bedrooms, dining rooms, and even commercial spaces seeking to bring an element of natural tranquility indoors.
The intricate and opulent “Pierpont Morgan” design, commissioned by the legendary financier himself, speaks to the company’s long history of creating bespoke wallpapers for a discerning clientele [2]. This pattern exemplifies the Gilded Age aesthetic, with its elaborate scrollwork, architectural elements, and rich color palette. Such historical designs have found renewed popularity in contemporary interiors as designers and homeowners seek to add character and gravitas to modern spaces. The juxtaposition of ornate, historical wallpaper patterns with contemporary furniture and minimalist design elements has become a hallmark of eclectic, sophisticated interior design.
Cole & Son’s influence extends beyond residential interiors into the hospitality and commercial design sectors. Luxury hotels, restaurants, and boutiques worldwide feature Cole & Son wallpapers to create memorable, distinctive environments. The company’s ability to produce custom colorways and scales of existing designs allows designers to tailor patterns to specific projects while maintaining the quality and character of the original designs. This flexibility has made Cole & Son a preferred choice for high-end hospitality projects where creating a sense of place and luxury is paramount.
Today, Cole & Son continues to be a leader in the luxury interiors market, its wallpapers sought after by designers and homeowners around the globe. By skillfully blending its historic craftsmanship with modern technology, the company ensures that the legacy of John Perry and Albert P. Cole lives on, bringing beauty, artistry, and a touch of history to the walls of the 21st century. The company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices has also positioned it as a forward-thinking brand that honors tradition while embracing contemporary values. Cole & Son’s wallpapers are produced using environmentally conscious methods, with water-based inks and papers sourced from responsibly managed forests, ensuring that the beauty they create today will not compromise the world of tomorrow.
—
References
2] Cole & Son. (n.d.). Our Heritage. [https://cole-and-son.com/en-us/pages/our-heritage