One of the last remaining silk-weaving houses in the UK, and the only one that still dyes its own yarns, Gainsborough may be rooted in tradition, but don't assume that makes it stuck in the past. Sustainability lies at the heart of its ethos, and plenty of leading designers from the world of interiors and fashion, including Saint Laurent, Paul Smith and Giles Deacon, are lining up to work with it. It's an amazing mill, quite inspirational, in a wonderful town. The whole process of working with them and the product is lovely,' enthuses Zandra Rhodes, one of the company's recent collaborators.
Reginald Warner, Gainsborough's founder, would doubtless be delighted to hear this glowing accolade. An understanding of the importance of good design and skilled craftsmanship was woven into the fabric of his being and, ever since his company's foundation, 120 years ago, working with leading designers was central to its success.
Family background underpinned Reginald's zeal. His father, Metford Warner, ran Jeffrey & Co, a leading 19th-century wallpaper manufacturer, commissioning work from top Arts & Crafts designers such as Walter Crane, Owen Jones, William Morris and William Burges. Metford tried to steer his son towards a professional career, but Reginald had other ideas: the world of textiles had a stronger pull than dusty ledgers and law books. "To deter him, his father organised an apprenticeship at the English Silk Weaving Company, a prominent textile manufacturer based in Ipswich. He was only allowed one visit a year, back to his family. Metford thought that would put him off, but it didn't; he loved it,' says Neil Thomas, Gainsborough's current managing director.
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Animal magic
Brought to life in myriad ways, whether printed, woven or embroidered, animals and birds have always been popular motifs in textile design, says Celia Rufey
Bright, bold and BRILLIANT
Small homes don't need to compromise on character. In Nick Kenny's two-up, two-down terrace, natural light, upcycled pieces and colourful accents make a big impact
Petite et chic
Amanda Grant and Kristian Dean's compact apartment encapsulates the essence of continental country house style
A thrifty MIX
Jill De Búrca's home was once a buy-to-let. Now that she's finally moved in, she has begun to furnish it with a quirky combination of antiques, vintage pieces and high street finds
Scholarly SANCTUARY
Statement antiques create drama in this one-bedroom former school hall, owned by antiques dealer Jean Hill
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE - FLORA JAMIESON
The stained glass artist talks to Dominique Corlett about the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement and capturing the English countryside at its best
Armillary sphere
The roots of the armillary sphere go back centuries but the design has retained its appeal, and sculptor David Harber creates some of today's most spectacular examples, says Jenny Oldaker
Six of the best HERITAGE RAILWAYS
Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig.
TRAVEL
48 hours in Stockholm and the best heritage railways.
A PERSONAL PASSION
For opera lovers, Glyndebourne Festival is the highlight of the summer, beloved for its magical setting as well as the calibre of its productions. Celia Rufey steps behind the scenes as it celebrates its 90th birthday