Inspired by archival documents, historic textiles and Cecil Beaton’s Winter Garden, this Zoffany collaboration combines timeless decoration with technical innovation…
Redefining outdoor décor, Zoffany x Michael S. Smith Indoor Outdoor Fabrics blends archival design with exceptional quality and durability. Fabrics are printed to last and woven from performance-led materials specially selected for their finish and handle, allowing for seamless transition between indoor and outdoor schemes.
Michael S Smith commented: “I have long found that there is a missing component in the interiors offering. I’ve always loved vintage fabric and the patina of its prints… but it doesn’t last. This collection combines two things that I love: technical design and the ability to print indoor and outdoor fabric in a way that recalls vintage fabric, has a sense of history to it, but also endures.”
The designer hand-selected original documents from Zoffany’s archives as blueprints, introducing new palettes, patterns and textures inspired by sources as varied as French chintz and Japanese silks. Unexpected details, including print marks and ink bleeds, add authenticity while bringing a fresh interpretation of storied documents and their narratives.
Zoffany x Michael S. Smith Indoor Outdoor fabric collection | Image credit: Sanderson Design Group
The collection introduces 13 brand-new designs, encompassing stripes, florals and plains, that evoke an archival essence rarely seen in outdoor fabric. With coordination at its heart, a curated colour palette and thoughtful use of scale allow the fabrics to be effortlessly layered and styled. Emphasising the importance of harmony in design, Michael S. Smith shared, “Coordination is everything. In interiors, you want an aesthetic that’s grounded and is reflective of the surroundings. The palette was important. We used colours that sit beautifully inside and look beautiful in outdoor light, anywhere in the world.”
Peter Gomez, Zoffany’s Lead Designer, added, “It’s interesting to explore how to build a collection and bring it together with a clear purpose – having someone view the archive through a fresh lens and curate how things will be used in practice. The result is a lovely combination of Michael’s expertise in interior design and product with our knowledge of design history and manufacturing – bringing all of that together to create something unique.”
Zoffany x Michael S. Smith Indoor Outdoor fabric collection | Image credit: Sanderson Design Group
Cascading foliage, abundant florals, and daylit windows of Cecil Beaton’s famed Winter Garden set the stage for Zoffany x Michael S. Smith Indoor Outdoor Fabrics. Influential fashion journalist and interiors authority Hamish Bowles brought his inimitable presence to the storied conservatory, posing alongside standout designs from the collaboration while an unexpected scene-stealer, Stella the pug, made her modelling debut. The scene echoes Beaton and his pug, Simba, photographed in the very same setting in the 1960s – an image that Michael sought to recreate.
Draped from the ceiling and wrapped around furniture specially selected by the American interior designer, fabrics infused the glasshouse with archival resonance and confidently coordinated colour. Redefining outdoor décor, the collection marries Zoffany’s technical mastery with Michael’s discerning eye to deliver durable, performance-led textiles designed to thrive indoors or out, in modern or heritage spaces alike.
Sanderson Design Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Sanderson Design Group
