IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Sarah Vanrenen
We recently had the privilege of decorating our Liberty concession with Vanrenen Hanbury fabric and designs. We chat to Sarah Vanrenen about her inspiration, design process and more.
We loved working with your beautiful fabric for our Liberty pop-up — what drew you to this particular print/design, and what was the inspiration behind it?
Anbu is a beautiful trailing leaf and floral motif embroidered on linen with a subtle woven stripe running through the linen ground. Like all of my fabric designs, the inspiration for this came from a vintage fabric, part of my extensive collection curated over many years. My designs often emerge from just one fragment of a vintage textile which she then reworks, altering the scale of the original pattern, adding or removing elements, changing the colour palette. The result is fabrics that work in both contemporary and more traditional settings.
Your interiors are so beautifully layered and full of character — how do you create spaces that feel both timeless and lived-in?
Thank you, we strive to create homes that do not look overly designed and feel like they have naturally evolved. We do this by working closely with our clients from the outset to understand their vision and how they want to live, whilst also respecting the location, atmosphere and architecture of the building. We also create bespoke upholstery, furniture and lighting, working with skilled craftsmen to create pieces that are unique to each project. Our layering of pattern and colour is almost instinctive, we always encourage our client to be bold. Neutral colours are the safe choice but can make a room feel impersonal and lacking personality. Our careful sourcing of art, antiques and vintage pieces also lends unique character to each project.
Is there a place, colour palette, or period in design history that consistently inspires you?
Travelling. I have been worldwide, including to India, Morocco and America, and this is a constant source of inspiration.
What are the key elements you think make a space — or an outfit — feel truly special and personal?
Be bold and be brave! We always bring prints and textures together in a way that feels eclectic but also cohesive. Mix medium, small and large scale designs in a room to add interest but don't overdo it, leave some quieter areas to allow the eye to rest. Try to avoid patterns that perfectly match, pair a stripe with a floral or a geometric with an all over print, complement rather than duplicate. We crave colour and always encourage our clients to be bold. Also try combining old and new, it always adds character to a space. Even when decorating a modern home try adding a piece of antique furniture or a vintage painting. It's so much more interesting seeing an unexpected element in a room rather than everything matching.
Which is your favourite Beulah piece, and how would you style or incorporate it into your own world?
We love the Lyra Ecru Cardigan - its a beautiful take on quite a traditional style with some contemporary touches. We also love the message of this particular piece, how you are supporting artisans makers and encouraging reinvestment in their community.
Vanrenen Hanbury Daisy Chain print featured on our Liberty couch.
Beulah Liberty pop-up concession featuring Vanrenen Hanbury Anbu fabric.
Discover more of Sarah's work at www.vanrenenhanbury.com and @sarahvanrenen