The best of British: Lewis & Wood

As part of the Sourced Locally series, Period Living talks to Stephen Lewis, co-founder of Lewis & Wood, who produce specialist wallpapers, fabrics and colour weaving from their textile mill in Gloucestershire.

The company was set up by textile printer Stephen Lewis and interior designer Joanna Wood in 1993, in a small basement flat in Battersea. Now based in a large mill in Gloucestershire, their business collaborates with printers, dyers and weavers across Britain to make specialist wallpapers, fabrics and colour weaving. ‘I prefer our fabrics to be made in England,’ Stephen says. ‘The people who are still working in the textile industry in this country tend to be enthusiasts – it’s a very exciting time.’

ABOVE (left-right): Lewis & Wood’s Nantes and Picardy fabrics resemble French quilts; Screen printing is also used for designs.

Working from their in-house studio, Stephen and creative director Magdalen Jebb have built up an impressive collection of more than 300 fabrics and wallpapers, from the very traditional character and sporting prints to more contemporary toiles, damasks, ikats and their innovative wide width wallpaper range. Because of where they are based, it is natural that they look upon the English country house for inspiration.

‘We are drawn to the style of furnishing that incorporates eclectic influences, such as carpets from Benghazi that look as if they might have been brought back by an earlier generation,’ explains Stephen. ‘Lots of our bigger prints reference Middle Eastern and Sudanese patterns.’

The Sporting range, incorporating calligraphy, was inspired by old documents discovered by Stephen, a keen fisherman. ‘It wasn’t a pastiche on fishing, horses or hunting – it was proper information that people who enjoy that sort of thing recognised,’ he says. Working with wood engravers, hand block printers and decorative painters, each Lewis & Wood design has an intriguing provenance as well as an individual look. ‘The only way we can thrive is by ploughing our own furrow,’ says Stephen. ‘There’s a sense of “We like it, and we hope you will too.”’

Lewis & Wood is based at Woodchester Mill, North Woodchester, Stroud, Gloucestershire. For distributors call 01453 878517 or go to lewisandwood.co.uk.

More great British companies
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Fabrics by Abraham Moon...
Furniture by Wesley-Barrell...
Antique furniture by I&JL Brown...
Lighting by Jim Lawrence...
Kitchen furniture by John Lewis of Hungerford...

FEATURE KATIE GIBBONS
Featured in the March 2012 issue of Period Living