Q&A: Margo Selby on her new Hillarys collection
Good Homes magazine chats to renowned British textile artist and designer Margo Selby to get the inside scoop on her new collection with Hillarys, her top interior design tips, and her best buys for AW21…
Talk us though the key concepts behind the new collection
‘I am equally an artist, craftsperson and designer. Everything I design begins from a handwoven starting point. In my Whitstable studio I make handwoven artworks which inspired the textile designs I have created for Hillarys. My 20 years’ experience of designing textiles, alongside my practice as a hand weaver and artist, gives me an understanding of colour, composition and form and how to best represent this in woven cloth.
‘The collection offers a clean, contemporary and graphic look that will work particularly well in modern homes. The motifs are crisp and sharp and complement the contrast of the sumptuous and textural woven qualities. It’s great to be able to offer a high quality woven fabric as part of a curtain and blind service.’
Photo: Margo Selby x Hillarys
Where did the inspiration come from?
‘I have always taken inspiration from architectural form and graphic design. The fact that all the fabrics are woven is also intrinsically part of my design ethos and my understanding of woven cloth. I imagined the designs in my own home, as it’s a modern contemporary space, but also eclectic and creative. As a result, I wanted to create fabrics that would work in this environment.
‘So many of my friends don’t have the confidence to buy a fabric or to find someone to make it up. Having my textiles expertly produced as curtains and Roman blinds with Hillarys enables people to easily have my designs in their homes. Hillarys can send a local advisor comes to measure, who gives expert advice on the best option for your window and brings all the fabric samples with them for you to choose from. It’s so exciting to make my designs so accessible.’
Photo: Mori ochre roman blinds, Margo Selby x Hillarys
Which is your favourite design from the new collection?
‘There are six different designs, combining typography, tailoring and tessellation featuring my distinctive colour palette of blues, greens and yellows. The Mori design is my favourite as it represents the clean graphic freshness that I wanted to capture in the collection. Zaha is a close second as it combines a multi-coloured palette with a luxurious textural sheen.’
Photo: Lora midnight roman blind, Margo Selby x Hillarys
What are your top tips for dressing your windows?
‘Modern interiors can be very hard, but I love the effects of glass and steel – so curtains can be an important element to soften a space, adding texture. Fabric is also an important contributor to the acoustics and sensory experience of a room. Made-to-measure curtains offer a bespoke finish and the style of header you opt for makes a difference to how your curtains drape at the window and how they fit in with the rest of your décor.
‘The Renzo design looks great as curtains; the weave textures and palette bring a casual denim look which is smart yet relaxed. I love a wave heading on curtains. Soft folds of fabric fall in a ripple effect from a specially designed track giving a contemporary look that works particularly well in open-plan living rooms and kitchen diners.
‘A Roman blind gives the softness and texture of a curtain, but in a more space efficient way than curtains. Perfect for a home office or a window with a radiator underneath where you don’t want to block the heat.
‘I think it’s interesting to mix as many patterns as you want in a room. Use different scales on curtains, cushions and throws. I apply this approach to all the rooms in my home.’
Photo: Stella navy curtain with a ave heading, Margo Selby x Hillarys
What details make this collection extra special?
‘From linens to velvets and damasks, I love the sumptuous textures of the woven fabrics which include linens, velvets and damasks as they contrast so beautifully with the energising colour palette. The collection is available with a range of linings, which let you control the level of light, temperature and there’s also a choice of coloured linings for curtains so they look as good from the outside as the inside! Co-ordinating cushion covers in lots of different shapes and sizes will help you achieve a cohesive look.’
Photo: Zaha forest curtains with peacock lining, Margo Selby x Hillarys
Which key interior pieces are you lusting after this coming season?
‘Antartica Ice Bucket from Mario Luca Giusti. And one of my own artworks. I keep meaning to make a piece for my own space but most of the pieces I make end up being exhibited or sold. I guess I shouldn’t complain!’
Photo: Stella mustard roman blind, Margo Selby x Hillarys