Our Story: Cole & Son’s 150 Years of Innovation, Craft, and Creative Excellence

Our archivist, Sophie Desmond, shares 150 years of our story so far

For more than 150 years, Cole & Son has been at the heart of British wallpaper design. From our origins in a north London print works, to our place in homes, hotels, and historic buildings around the world, we have remained guided by a spirit of curiosity, craftsmanship, and creative exploration. 

Our story can be traced back to 1875, when master printer John Perry established his factory in Islington, north London. At a time when wallpaper was becoming an increasingly important feature of Victorian interiors, Perry earned a reputation as one of the industry's most accomplished manufacturers, printing wallpapers for companies across London and beyond. 

What distinguished Perry was not simply his craftsmanship, but his pursuit of innovation. Throughout the late nineteenth century, he developed groundbreaking decorative techniques including watered silk effects, jaspes, striés, and metallic finishes created using a crushed-pearl powder called mica. His experimentation transformed wallpaper from a purely decorative surface into a material capable of mimicking luxurious textiles and finishes, opening up entirely new creative possibilities for interior design. 

One of Perry's biggest customers was Knowles & Co, whose business was based in Jubilee Place, Chelsea, London. Built in 1888, this is the very building that Cole & Son adopted as its headquarters and flagship showroom in 2022. An extraordinary connection that was only discovered after the move. 

Knowles & Co is where Albert Cole met Lionel Hill who went on to establish Cole & Hill Wallpapers in the early twentieth century. By the mid-1930s Albert Cole was joined by his son, Frank, with Cole & Son (Wallpapers) Ltd officially incorporated in 1939. 

As Cole & Son grew, so did its connection to Perry's print works. What began as a close working relationship ultimately saw the company inherit Perry's vast archive and, eventually, acquire the Offord Road print works itself. 

So significant was the archive – with some designs dating back to the 1770s, as well as works by Augustus Pugin created for the Palace of Westminster – that it was evacuated to the Norfolk countryside during the Second World War.  

From the 1940s onwards Cole & Son’s showroom on Mortimer Street, in the heart of London, became a gathering place for designers, decorators, and the society figures shaping Britain's interiors. The company served so many duchesses that they reportedly kept a tally, with seven in a single day remaining the record. 

One of the most significant chapters in our history came in 1948 with the creation of Europe's first wallpaper screen-printing studio. 

The introduction of this technology provided new creative opportunities and marked a turning point in the evolution of wallpaper design. Whilst Cole & Son's existing designs had been created for traditional block printing, and latterly surface roller printing, screen printing offered possibilities that demanded a new visual language. Under the leadership of Design Director Richard Spelling, Cole & Son sought fresh creative perspectives and turned to the Royal College of Art, one of the world's most influential centres of artistic education. 

Students and lecturers were invited to experiment with the possibilities of screen printing, creating a unique partnership between traditional craftsmanship and emerging design talent. The collaboration produced a number of prints that would become defining examples of post-war British design, notably Lucienne Day’s work for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and Eduardo Paolozzi’s ‘Hammer Prints’. 

Many of the designs created to test the new screen-printing technology remain in production today, a testament to the creativity of the partnership and the enduring appeal of their designs.  

In 1961 Cole & Son (Wallpapers) Ltd were granted a royal warrant by Queen Elizabeth II as suppliers of wallpaper to the royal household. This is a prestigious honour that we still hold today as we continue to supply the royal family with wallpapers; notably Sweet Pea was recently photographed at King Charles’s residence, Restormel Manor in Cornwall, by House & Garden. 

As our reputation grew throughout the twentieth century, we became known by a name that many clients, designers, and retailers continue to use today. Simply, "Coles". 

The nickname emerged naturally as Cole & Son’s influence expanded within the interiors industry and has remained part of our culture ever since. Even today, many long-standing clients and design professionals refer to us affectionately as "Coles", a reflection of the familiarity and trust that has been built across so many generations. More than a nickname, it has become a small but meaningful part of our story. 

Today, our archive remains at the heart of everything we do. Containing thousands of designs, original drawings, production records, and historic printing blocks and rollers, it reflects generations of decorative history. 

More than a record of the past, the archive remains a living creative resource. Historic motifs, techniques, and artworks continue to inspire new collections, connecting contemporary design with centuries of artistry. In this way, the archive is not simply preserved, it continues to grow. 

Our story has always been one of evolution. From John Perry's pioneering print techniques to Albert and Frank Cole's creation of Europe's first wallpaper screen-printing studio, and collaborations with emerging designers and artists, we have continually led with a technical curiosity, craftsmanship, and a boundary-pushing passion for colour and pattern. 

As we look to the future, that same spirit remains. New designs continue to draw upon the archive, creating detailed and layered interiors that frame moments and become part of your story.