In September 2011, Little Greene launched ‘Retrospectives’, a collection of authentic and iconic paint shades from the 1960s and 1970s, which was received with much critical acclaim. Building on the success of this paint range, and further embracing the 20th Century design revival, Little Greene is delighted to introduce ‘Retrospective Papers’: an enigmatic and highly evocative collection of authentic wallpaper designs, again first produced in the 1960s and 1970s.
Derived from a number of validated historical sources, including the extensive archive at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery, the ‘Retrospective Papers’ are bold and brave, strong and statemental, yet nonetheless remarkably adaptable for use in the 21st Century interior!
The collection will be unveiled at Maison et Objet in Paris at the end of January 2012.
‘Retrospective Papers’ comprises eight designs in a total of 37 colourways: the papers vary in style, finish, print technique and impact according to the scale and colourway – from the Warhol-inspired screen print ‘Fern’ in eye-popping psychedelic shades to the exotic ‘Reverie’, whimsical ‘Hepworth’ and ‘Starflower’, a piece of pure retro from 1967.
Whilst some are faithful reproductions, others have been adapted to suit contemporary usage, but each design nonetheless retains the integrity of the original motif. In so doing, Little Greene has cleverly succeeded in breathing fresh life into patterns that had otherwise lain forgotten and neglected for a generation.
The ‘Retrospective Papers’ colours are individually distinctive, but also blend harmoniously with the Retrospectives paint palette. Encompassing zingy limes, zesty yellows, vibrant oranges, sultry browns, moody charcoals, vivacious blues and hot reds, the colours encapsulate the essence of an era, and reflect the many influences at work in a rapidly changing Britain in the late 20th Century, when the country and its inhabitants were exposed to more external influences than at any time in the past. Increasing affluence, immigration, particularly from the Indian subcontinent and the West Indies, expansion of air travel and the consequent accessibility of holidays to foreign climes all had an impact on the culture and style of these two significant decades.
The papers can be dated as follows: Fern 1960; Bark 1961; Box1962; Starflower 1967; Poppy Flower 1968; Reverie 1971; Hepworth 1973; Lavaliers 1975.
Little Greene wallpapers are available nationally and internationally, through a network of distributors. They can also be bought via mail & phone order and online at
www.thelittlegreene.com
