Tag: Jacqueline Groag: Textile and Pattern Design: Wiener Werkstatte to American Modern

Pick of the Pads: Wealden Times

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'Crystal Clear' article in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

For this month’s Pick of the Pads we’ve chosen to feature the fabulous home of Adrian & Amy.

February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

It’s featured in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times – a lifestyle magazine we only stumbled across recently. As the name suggests, it covers the Wealden area of the south east of England – taking in the South Downs of Kent & East Sussex. The magazine’s available to pick up at Waitrose stores & train stations in the region, but subscriptions & postal options are also available.

view of the lounge in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

This unique home is formed by the very skilful joining of the Georgian coach house and neighbouring cottage – both fully restored by the present owners.

view of the dining room in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

The results are stunning – the epitome of modern rustic style.

view of the bedroom in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

The fabric of the building is used to maximum effect – exposed brickwork, beams, floorboards & wood panelling all add character & texture.

antique oak coffer between 2 armchairs upholstered in tartan fabric

It provides the perfect backdrop for a wonderful blend of country antiques, vintage finds & industrial styling. Blankets, cushions, warm lighting & fresh flowers soften the spaces.

view of the walkway in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

The contemporary glass walkways linking the coach house to the cottage also work superbly well. The structure of the buildings really sings out – and we love the fact that materials were either restored in situ or reclaimed from the site.

view of the cooker in the kitchen in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

The spaces look so comfortable & welcoming.

views of the kitchen and sitting room in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

We could happily avail ourselves of one of the numerous comfy looking chairs on offer – they’d never get rid of us!!

view of the new extension in the February 2014 edition of the Wealden Times magazine

And a gorgeous, friendly dog to welcome you home is always the icing on the cake!!

Bookmarks: Jacqueline Groag: Textile and Pattern Design: Wiener Werkstatte to American Modern

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cover of Jacqueline Groag: Textile and Pattern Design: Wiener Werkstatte to American Modern surrounded by antique wooden bobbins

It’s been a while since we did a Bookmarks blog – we have a trio of textile design books to review – the first being Jacqueline Groag: Textile and Pattern Design: Wiener Werkstatte to American Modern.

portrait of Jacqueline Groag

We did a very short taster blog post about Jacqueline Groag last year but we’re going to delve a bit deeper here and share many more examples of her fabulous work.

Jacqueline Groag design for David Whitehead and used at the Festival of Britain in 1951

Many of the plates in the book are taken from the vast collection (over 300 examples of post-war British design) of Jill A. Wiltse and H. Kirk Brown III who are customers of authors, Rayner & Chamberlain’s Target Gallery. As well as Groag they have extensive examples of the work of Robin & Lucienne Day, Marian Mahler, Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman and other post-war, mid century modern artists & designers.

Two Jacqueline Groag designs using urn motifs

The collection formed part of the exhibition Designing Women of Postwar Britain which toured the Fashion and Textile Museum London; Michigan State University; Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs and Textile Museum in Washington.

Jacqueline Groag design of columns and urns

Groag was a very versatile and prolific designer; her textile designs included dress fabrics, upholstery material and carpet. She designed on paper – wrapping paper, wallpaper, magazines and even playing cards; and from the 1950s, her designs were used in plastic laminates for use in furniture such as tabletops and cabinets.

Jacqueline Groag cover design for 'Design Magazine' width=

She’s been associated with may big companies and organisations. If you’ve ever taken public transport in the UK you’ll probably have seen her work. She designed for BOAC, London Transport and British Rail…

Jacqueline Groag design for Associated American Artists London Underground upholstery designed by Jacqueline Groag

…her designs were retailed by the likes of Liberty, John Lewis, David Whitehead Ltd…

Jacqueline Groag design for David Whitehead inspired by her Festival of Britain design

…they were published within and on the covers of magazines such as The Ambassador and Interiors Magazine…

Jacqueline Groag design for "Ambassador" Magazine

…and she was commissioned by greetings card companies such as Oxfam, Hallmark and American Greetings.

Jacqueline Groag design for Oxfam Christmas cards Jacqueline Groag Jacqueline Groag hearts design for valentine card

Much of her work is very distinctive with many of her designs encompassing fine-lined grid patterns and simple, stylised human forms.

Jacqueline Groag bird design showing fine-lined grid patterns Jacqueline Groag design showing fine-lined grid patterns and simple, stylised human forms
Jacqueline Groag bird design showing fine-lined grid patterns Jacqueline Groag design showing fine-lined grid patterns and simple, stylised human forms

Her designs were inspired by colour and nature and also by Austrian folk art dolls the latter’s whose influence appears frequently in her work over the years.

Jacqueline Groag design inspired by Austrian folk art dolls Jacqueline Groag design inspired by Austrian folk art dolls

If we’ve sparked your interest there are a few more examples to be found in the V&A’s Jacqueline Groag archive.

Jacqueline Groag design inspired by Austrian folk art dolls

And if you happen to be in the vicinity, there’s currently an exhibition of her work taking place in Denver from 19 May to 22 Sept ’13.

Jacqueline Groag's monochrome 'Cleo' textile design

As well as from the publishers, the book is available online from Hive and Amazon.

[Many thanks to Antique Collectors’ Club for the review copy]