Style revival

Wortley Group

Wortley Group recently launched William Morris at Home, which it describes as “an exciting new brand for the Australian Market.” 

“Wortley Group has partnered with the William Morris Gallery in the UK, to bring the William Morris at Home brand to Australia,” a spokesperson for the company tells WFA.   

The William Morris Gallery is a not for profit organisation that holds the world’s largest archive of original William Morris designs.

“These are now available under this authentic Morris brand, exclusively distributed by Wortley Group in Australia. 

“The William Morris at Home collections feature a wide range of authentic original designs from the William Morris Gallery, printed on a variety of affordable base cloths and jacquard constructions. Each relives the stunning look of the iconic British brand at a realistic price point.

“From 1862 to today, Morris’ prints are still regarded as among the most revered in British interior design history. William Morris was famously quoted as saying, ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful’ and these collections uphold this belief. Each fabric design is a carefully crafted adaption of an original artwork, serving as testament to the enduring legacy of William Morris.” 

Every order of William Morris at Home fabric supports the Gallery, bringing the life and work of William Morris, artist and environmental campaigner, to future generations. 

“William Morris at Home provides high quality decorative options that embrace the trend towards treating window furnishings as a feature of the home, rather than simply a functional solution. With so many traditional homes in Australia, using a coordinated pattern solution that embraces the signature looks from the William Morris Gallery creates solutions for not only window treatments but coordinated furnishings as well.

“William Morris At Home is priced in a category that allows a wider demographic to enjoy a designer look that would normally be limited to the upper end of the market.  

The company says that whilst soft greys continue to sell well, it is seeing a trend towards warmer tones, which is reflected in the sales of sheer ranges. 

“Sheers with a more textured, structured appearance also are performing well, as they are seen as a more premium appearance compared to entry point products. Examples in our stocked sheer range include Tiffany.”

“There is no doubt the current economic conditions have impacted the wider furnishing industry, however ongoing high property values do encourage homeowners to justify investing in furnishings to further enjoy their homes and enhance their value. Our sales in more decorative brand categories remains consistent and reflect this trend.”

Maurice Kain

Maya Vivian, Head of Design at Maurice Kain, tells WFA the brand has seen exponential growth in the sheer curtain category, and continues to view it as the most popular window treatment being used today. 

“Maurice Kain has a fantastic new crop of sheers releasing now that are offering new looks to the market,” she says. “Tapping into the trend for using texture and tactile elements in home decorating, we have a trio of textured sheers, Williamsburg, Mizumi and Formation. Williamsburg has a subtle leno weave with a cationic dye, giving a natural multi shade effect to each colourway. Mizumi is a chunkier leno weave with more surface interest and a similar natural earth-toned palette. Formation rounds out the group as the most textured sheer, woven from a soft bouclé yarn. The semi-sheer construction for these designs allows for flexibility as they can be used as both sheers and also lined to create solid curtains.”

“Complementing these designs, we also have Mauritius, Maurice Kains’s latest addition to our stable of sustainable curtain fabrics. Made from a blend of recycled polyester and linen, Mauritius offers a luxurious look without compromising any environmental or performance credentials.”

Meanwhile, describes as the curtain industry’s “most popular sheer”, Odin, is also getting a new boost. 

“We have added nine new yarn-dyed shades to the already large colour line, to bring you an extensive 24 colours. The organic slubs of this fabric mimic all the most desirable features of a classic linen sheer, with the ease of a polyester.”

She adds that another offering in the range, Himalaya, is a stunning statement sheer. 

“Exclusively hand painted in-house by our team, the design is inspired by misty mountain ridges and soft undulating waves. The print works in an ombre style, with the dark section at the bottom of the window, fading into white over the 320cm drop length.”

All Maurice Kain’s new sheers have been Fire Retardant tested and are Oeko-Tex certified.

Sekers

Sekers is marking Laura Ashley’s 70th anniversary, with the reintroduction of the renowned British designer’s decorative fabric ranges into the Australasian market, confirms associate director Michelle West.

“These thoughtfully curated selections are the fruit of a remarkable collaboration between Sekers and the talented Laura Ashley team in London. While staying true to the classic British charm that Laura Ashely is renowned for, the ranges have been developed for our unique Antipodean lifestyle, offering a fresh perspective for the first time,” says West. 

“The extensive heritage and rich archive continue to inspire collections that celebrate nostalgia through current trends and modern designs. Across 6 complete ranges, the natural fibre-based fabrics cover sheers, jacquards, prints, embroideries, plains and roller blinds, with most qualities useable for both drapery and upholstery applications. The collections have been designed to co-ordinate perfectly across designs and colourways to offer a complete interior decorating solution.”

BM Blinds

Michael Shaw, Director of BM Blinds, says he has been searching for the next curtain style product to bridge the gap between blinds and soft furnishings in the current market by offering something new.

“BM has seen demand for traditional blockout products such as roller blinds falling off, with consumers increasingly drawn to the ability of Vertical Sheer products, to enable visibility through the blind at certain times of the day and privacy and room darkening features at the twist of a wand.”

“BM Blinds is proud to offer new curtain ranges to service this market. The fabrics brands ensuring a style to suit all interiors are Allure Breeze, with ranges of: Renaissance & Renaissance Privacy. Lume, with ranges of: Obscura and Ligne and the Louvolite Allusion, with ranges of: Natural, Horizon & Shadow.

“Collectively, these ranges are being embraced by our customers and we have seen a increase in uptake over the past three months for these exciting new options. Each range has its own unique and modern colour palette and new textures that are creating a luxurious feel to homes.”

BM Blinds’ Chantelle Todd adds, “For our business, we find our main priority is to service our customers, while ensuring the utmost quality of products is leaving our warehouse daily. We believe that introducing these new fabrics has allowed for sharper pricing and for quality to be maintained, ensuring that the service to our customers is the best.”

James Dunlop

Kyoto from James Dunlop has recently been re-released in a custom palette, designed in the James Dunlop studio.This builds on Kyoto’s reputation as James Dunlop’s signature pure linen wide-width drapery, which has been trusted for its quality and loved for its elegant, tumbled finish for many years. 

Yarn dyed and washable, the updated range includes decorative shades of Duck Egg, Blush, Pistachio, Ink, Oxide, Rust, Truffle, and Walnut, all of which complement Kyoto’s top selling neutrals.

“Due to the enduring popularity of Kyoto, our studio is extremely excited to present Kyoto Stripe to the market. Kyoto Stripe is a classic, wide drapery stripe suitable for interiors from the country to the coastline in a soft palette of Chambray, Feather, Linen, Powder, and Sage, each on a neutral ground.

“Kyoto Stripe completes our Revival collection; a range which celebrates the beauty and sophistication of heritage print design in textile constructions suitable for our modern lifestyles, fusing the traditional with the contemporary to refresh legacy textiles and interior spaces alike.

“Thoughtfully developed and custom coloured in the James Dunlop studio, the range captures shades found in nature. Known as nature’s neutral, an array of greens are infused into the collection, delivering a palette that elicits a quiet sense of optimism and vitality. Across the Revival range, sustainable compositions offer a versatile solution for those seeking beautiful, accessible wide width draperies that needn’t compromise on practicality.”

Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer

Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer is expanding its fabric offerings with the introduction of two new additions to the Colorama Multicolour range: Multicolour Natura and Multicolour Panama. “Launched on 20 May, these fabrics are designed to meet the growing demand for natural, textured textiles that combine aesthetic appeal with practical functionality,” says Simon Meyer – Managing Director of Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer.  “Alongside these new additions, Silent Gliss also presents the latest developments in the iconic Colorama range, which now includes enhanced Acoustic and Eco variants.”

Multicolour Natura and Multicolour Panama form part of the Colorama Multicolour range, and offer a natural, textured appearance with the following features:

• Flame Retardancy: Ensuring safety without compromising on style.

• Consistent Hanging Properties: Reliable performance in various applications.

• Variety of Colours: Available in 8 timeless shades, including options with a bold, contrasting white warp.

• Versatile Applications: Suitable for Curtains, Roman blinds, Panels, and Wintergarden systems.

• Technical Excellence: Certified for flame retardancy, OekoTex compliance, and IMO maritime use, with acoustic testing for enhanced noise management.

Colorama Acoustic integrates design with functionality by absorbing sound while maintaining a light, transparent appearance, ideal for spaces where noise control is crucial.

Colorama Eco provides an eco-friendly option made from 100% recycled polyester, meeting the increasing demand for sustainable interior solutions without sacrificing the elegance and quality of the original Colorama fabric.

The latest additions to the Colorama Multicolour and Acoustic ranges by Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer address a crucial gap in the market for fabrics that combine natural aesthetics with advanced functionality, says Meyer. “Multicolour Natura and Multicolour Panama cater to the desire for materials that resemble natural fibres while offering the practical benefits of modern textiles. The enhanced Colorama Acoustic and Eco variants meet the need for fabrics that not only look good but also provide specific functional benefits, such as sound absorption and environmental sustainability.”

“The market for window fabrics is increasingly competitive, with a strong demand for natural textures and sheer materials. Floor-to-ceiling sheers and natural-looking fabrics, particularly those that emulate linen and hemp, are highly sought after. Despite economic uncertainties, the demand for high-quality, versatile interior solutions remains strong, driven by a continued focus on creating comfortable, stylish, and functional living spaces.

Meyer says that Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer differentiates its products through a unique blend of design innovation and functional excellence. “The Multicolour Natura and Multicolour Panama fabrics offer the look and feel of natural fibres with the durability and safety of man-made materials. The Colorama range stands out for its versatility, with the Acoustic variant providing sound absorption and the Eco variant supporting sustainable living. This combination of aesthetics and performance ensures that Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer remains a top choice in a competitive market.”

“Silent Gliss by Peter Meyer continues to lead the industry with a commitment to innovation, quality, and market relevance. The introduction of Multicolour Natura and Multicolour Panama, along with the latest enhancements to the Colorama range, reflects a deep understanding of current trends and consumer needs. These new fabric offerings provide designers and homeowners with an extensive selection of stylish, functional, and sustainable options that set the standard in modern interior design.”

MAC Window Fashions
Alex Lozanovski, Director of MAC window Fashions, tells WFA the company has formed a new supply partnership with Basford Brands, which will soon include the release of the Blyth fabric range. 

“This is an exquisite addition to our offerings and represents a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing our fabric selections. The Blyth fabric is a linen blend sheer that offers an elegant and timeless look, ideal for various interior styles. We’re confident that this partnership with Basford Brands will help us continue to deliver beautiful, high-quality window furnishings to our customers.

The Blyth fabric from Basford Brands is a high-quality linen blend sheer that offers both luxury and affordability. It brings together the natural beauty and breathability of linen with a blend that enhances durability and ease of maintenance. Unlike other linens on the market, which often come at a premium, the Blyth fabric will be positioned at a market level that makes it accessible to a broader range of consumers. The design is versatile, lending itself to a wide variety of decor styles, from modern minimalist to classic and rustic. It’s the perfect choice for those who want the look and feel of linen without the traditional price tag.

Lozanovski  tells WFA the introduction of the Blyth fabric is strategically designed to address a key gap in the market; providing high-quality linen and linen-blend curtains that are accessible to a wider audience. 

“Traditionally, linens and linen blends have occupied a higher price point, making them less attainable for many consumers. This has created a demand for similar products that offer the same aesthetic and quality at a more approachable price. Blyth fills that gap by providing a beautiful, natural-looking fabric that does not compromise on quality or style but remains within reach for more people.”

Lozanovski notes that the market for high-quality curtains and drapery has been “relatively stagnant” for some time. 

“There hasn’t been a significant introduction of affordable yet high-quality options in this space, leaving many consumers to settle for either luxury products that might be out of their budget or lower-quality alternatives that don’t meet their design aspirations. Our new additions, like the Blyth fabric, aim to invigorate this portion of the market by offering something fresh — cost-effective, quality made to measure curtains that meet the needs of today’s consumer.

“Texture trends are really standing out right now. The natural look and feel of linen and linen-look fabrics are always in style; they have a timeless appeal that transcends seasonal trends. We’re also noticing a rise in open-weave sheer fabrics, which are gaining more presence in the market. These fabrics offer a delicate, airy feel that adds light and a sense of space to any room, making them increasingly popular choices among homeowners and interior designers alike. In terms of colour, there’s a strong trend towards more natural off-whites as well as earthy, natural tones such as soft beiges, warm taupe, and muted greens, which bring a calming and organic feel to interiors. Additionally, deeper, richer shades like navy, charcoal, and terracotta are also becoming popular, adding depth and sophistication to contemporary decor.

“The sheers category continues to experience strong growth, and it’s a trend we expect to see continue. Some of our top sellers — which remain highly sought after by end consumers — include the Nettex Bali, Warwick Burano, Zepel Allusion, and Mokum’s Laconia Air and Kyoto fabrics. Even though these are well-established names in the market, they continue to attract a lot of interest and demand. The ongoing popularity of these fabrics is a testament to the enduring appeal of sheers, particularly in contemporary interior design.

Lozanovski  concludes: “The cost of living has certainly impacted the mid-market and below segments. We’re seeing that people are becoming more cautious with their spending, which makes affordability an increasingly important factor. The economic environment has prompted many consumers to seek out products that offer great value without compromising on quality. It’s a challenging time for many, but we’re optimistic that more affordable, high-quality options like those we’re offering can provide some relief and meet the needs of those looking to update their home decor without breaking the bank.”