In 2004, Kate Forman launched a range of fabrics inspired by 19th century vintage textiles, drawn from her many years’ experience in antiques and interior design. The fabric collection has expanded to include ethnic patterns, tickings, indigos and beautiful velvets in a rich colour palette with coordinating cushions, lampshades, trimmings, wallpapers and interior accessories. Many of Kate’s designs are featured in hotels and interiors worldwide including Kit Kemp’s Firmdale Hotels, Soho House, Oxfordshire, The Pig, Dorset and Hound Lodge, Goodwood.
Image: Agnes charcoal and Maizie red curtainsFor many years Kate exhibited at Decorex. I would make a beeline to her stand, anticipating the inevitably beautiful setting she created, the lovely, relaxed, warm colours and textures that epitomise the Kate Forman style. We asked Kate to reveal how she and her family will be celebrating Christmas.
Image: Delphine curtain on landingWhere will you be celebrating the holidays?
We will be celebrating with family at home. We are fortunate to live in Petworth with its art galleries, antiques and independent shops, Petworth House and Park and the South Downs for walks.
Image: Christmas wreathWho will be around your Christmas table?
Our three children with their ‘other-halves’, plus our first grandchild who is four months old!
Image: Christmas drawing room with Kenji stoolWho does the cooking at Christmas?
I do all the cooking, which I very much enjoy.
Image caption: Christmas mirrorWhat will you be eating?
Probably beef or pheasant, as no one in my family is a huge fan of turkey.
How will the table be decorated?
With an abundance of tea lights in glowing, vintage, silvered glass and ivy.
Image: Christmas tableHow will the house be decorated?
The house is already quite rich in colour, so I decorate mostly with greenery and Christmas lights to avoid overload.
Image: Banister decorated for ChristmasWhat is your family tradition of gift giving?
As we no longer do stockings (much to my grown children’s dismay), we start the morning opening one special small gift at a very festive breakfast table.
Image: Pink velvet curtains in hallwayKate Forman’s ideas for great gifting:
Box files, handmade in England, decorative vehicles for storing paperwork, catalogues, odds and ends; the more patterns you mix, the better they look! H: 36cm W: 25.5cm @£45
Image: Box files and Margot yellow lampshadeLong French matches stored in handmade boxes, available in a selection of floral, striped linen or next-generation cotton fabrics, ideal for lighting candles and the fire. H: 30.5cm W: 11.5cm £26
Image: Christmas chairNotice boards Ideal for children’s rooms, home offices, kitchens – handmade to order in Kate’s range of floral, striped and next generation cottons. £75
Notebooks, handmade in England, in selected designs, for jotting down notes or ideas, or to grace a desk. £20
Image: Iona yellow Empire lampshadeDoor stops, for blocking drafts and to stop doors banging shut, these are handmade to order in any of Kate Forman’s lovely fabrics H: 11.5cm, L: 20cm W: 15cm. £45
Bed throws , made to order, interlined and backed in natural linen, available in floral or striped designs and next generation cottons – length 254cm, width up to 262 cm (non-returnable). £195-£395
Image: Vase of flowersCushions in a choice of velvets or in Kate’s beautiful range of patterns and trims from £65 – £105, dependant on size, style and choice of fabric.
Image: Venetian red laundered linen sofaLampshades in Empire or Drum shapes in a choice of finishes and sizes to transform the simplest lamp into a decorative feature; ruched, gathered or cylinder styles from £38-£120, plus candle or half-candle shades £35.
Image: Christmas drawing roomThe Christmas Dinner by Israel Zangwill
“Daintily-embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses-all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.”
Image: Christmas treeWhether you are a Christmas enthusiast or model yourself on Ebenezer Scrooge, we wish all our friends and followers a happy holiday season, sharing the food you love to eat, surrounded by those you treasure, in a home bedecked in your distinctive holiday style. Happy Christmas to you all and all things bright for 2022. Thank you to Kate Forman for the inspirational Christmas images and for the glimpse into the Forman family’s holiday celebrations.
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