This week, the Hand & Lock team are reminiscing over some of our favourite interiors projects, art commissions and embroidered furniture designs from the past 6 months.
Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of working with our client Diana, on 2 large scale embroidered art panels for a grand residential interior space.
The Design
Diana came to us bursting with inspiration and ideas and we were thrilled to create the entire design for her. Referencing Japanese and chinoiserie aesthetics, we came up with a scenic embroidery design depicting all of Diana’s favourite things. Wisteria flowers with twisted branches form the top of the left panel, whilst a blooming cherry blossom tree stands proud on the right.
The composition builds with pebbles, reeds and a meandering river, juxtaposed against a jagged rock face. Lily pads, water lilies, and a series of characterful creatures complete the scene.
The scene is designed across 2 panels with a central break, but appears seamless when placed side by side.
The Materials
The panels each had a huge amount of work, layering and weight that went into them so using something sturdy and supportive was paramount.
Many of the larger elements were appliquéd with contrasting shades of satin and silk douppion to build the base shapes.
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For the water, we layered a deep navy organza over blue satin. If you look closely, you’ll see that some of the embroidered elements are ‘trapped’ under the organza, giving them the appearance of being ‘under the water’. We love how the reeds turned out here - as if they are really growing up out of the waters edge! The carp fish is also under the organza with the layer of sheer fabric adding a subtlety and softness to the machine embroidery.
One of our favourite elements are the Lilly pads, which are appliquéd in a deep green velvet with a layer of stitching over the top. The stitching sinks into the pile of the velvet giving the feel of a rippled leaf surface.
Much of the design was embroidered in classic rayon threads providing a luster and a sheen to the work. Subtle highlights in pale metallic gold feature here and there whilst woollen burmilana threads in moss stitch have been used for the moss on the rocks.
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The Embroidery
The final panels measure over 2 meters by 1.2 meters each- a staggering amount of area to cover.
This design was produced across our in house studio and machine embroidery departments utilising hand guided machine embroidery, cording, chain stitch and digital machine embroidery as the primary techniques. Due to the large scale of the piece, the design was broken up into a series of sections and jigsaw puzzled together.
The final detail added to the panels were a series of charming creatures including frogs, a bee, a dragonfly and a humming bird embroidered by hand in colourful Goldwork bullions. We love the little frog sat on the rock, sinking his toes into the moss!
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The completed embroidered panels were stretched & upholstered onto a set of specially prepared wooden frames by a furniture maker.
We can’t wait to see these pieces hung in their new home soon!
If you would like to get in touch with us about a bespoke interiors project, enquire here.
Author: Liss Cooke
