Kickstarting July’s ‘Decorative Details’ focus, we’re catching up with Richard Allan London Director, Cate Allan, to discover how iconic mid-century scarves are being reimagined as immersive elements in contemporary interior design…
In the golden age of mid-century fashion, scarves were more than just accessories – they were miniature canvases that captured the spirit of the times. Draped around shoulders or tied elegantly under chins, these silk squares told stories through bold geometrics, lyrical florals, and modernist motifs. They were wearable expressions of post-war optimism, cosmopolitan curiosity, and an unapologetic embrace of colour and form.
Fast forward to today, and these designs are undergoing a striking metamorphosis. No longer confined to the wardrobe, these heritage patterns are being reimagined for the spaces we live in – as framed artworks, textiles, and even architectural details in interiors. It’s a creative reclamation that both honours the legacy of mid-century fashion and breathes new life into them. This is heritage design not as nostalgia, but as contemporary expression – heritage talent made new.
Elegance design print | Image credit: Roly Roques O’Neil
At the forefront of this movement is the revival of scarf prints not on silk, but on the finest watercolour papers. These once-fluid designs, meant to move with the body, are now framed and still – yet paradoxically, they animate the spaces they inhabit with a vivid elegance. The transition from fabric to form is intentional, drawing attention to the artistry behind each line, each motif. The frame itself becomes an extension of the composition, painted or styled to harmonise with both the print and its setting. In this way, the artwork becomes fully integrated into its environment – not just hung, but truly embedded in the spatial narrative.
But the innovation doesn’t stop at the frame. Increasingly, these reimagined scarf designs are being translated directly into the fabric of interior spaces. The original prints serve as inspiration for bespoke wallpapers, custom rugs, tiles, upholstery, and soft furnishings. British craftsmanship plays a central role in this transformation. From the meticulous printing to the hand-finished textiles, every element is imbued with a sense of provenance and care. The result is not just decorative, it’s immersive. A scarf design once worn on a runway now wraps a hotel room, turning a simple stay into an evocative design experience.
This layered approach to interior storytelling creates spaces that feel deeply personal and resonant. It’s about more than just aesthetics – it’s about memory, tactility, and emotional connection. When design heritage is extended beyond glass and into everyday use, it becomes part of a lived experience. Guests don’t merely observe the art on the wall – they dwell within it.
Image credit: House of Estila
Nowhere is this philosophy more beautifully embodied than at the newly launched House of Estila, a permanent design showroom at 66 Turnmill Street in London’s Clerkenwell design district. Curated by founder Karolina Barnes, the space is a celebration of 100% British design – from framed artworks to wallpaper, furniture, lighting, and homewares. Every item showcased is selected not only for its aesthetic merit but for its ethical and sustainable roots. Locally sourced materials and time-honoured skills underscore the showroom’s mission: to elevate the visibility of smaller, next-generation British interior brands.
Among the standout collections featured at House of Estila are the revitalised scarf prints of Richard Allan – a name synonymous with 1960s London fashion. These archival designs, brought into the realm of contemporary interiors, perfectly capture the spirit of the showroom: thoughtful, layered, and unmistakably British.
In this new chapter of interior design, heritage isn’t just something we look at or preserve – it’s something we inhabit. Through this modern alchemy of fashion and interiors, mid-century scarf designs are no longer simply relics of style history. They are storytellers, scene-setters, and vibrant contributors to the spaces we live in today.
Richard Allan London 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: Roly Roques O’Neil
