Our Heritage
Discover the milestones that shaped 150 years of the design house of Cole & Son
1875
Founded in London
In a vibrant hub of more than 190 block printing companies active during the 18th and 19th centuries, the son of a Cambridgeshire merchant began carving a name out for himself
1883
Offord Road Wallpaper Factory is Opened
Cole & Son’s first factory in Islington is opening. The house's founder, with discerning taste and innovative foresight, starts to harness the power of industry to complement traditional woodblock printing methods prevalent at the time
1900
Hand-Flocked Wallpaper is Revived
This was a process imitating cut velvet originating in Holland in the late 17th century. It provided a more purse-friendly version of the wallhangings en vogue with the aristocracy
1910
Innovation, Innovation, Innovation
Perhaps the brand’s most notable contribution to the wallpaper industry was the number of innovations brought to the world of wallpaper printing. These included techniques such as pan coating – used to create deep, rich, tactile stripes and strié prints – and the creation of a process to imitate silk.
Using a solution of ground mica, a lustre-like silk effect was developed which is still used today
Using a solution of ground mica, a lustre-like silk effect was developed which is still used today
1941
A.P. Cole, Proprietor of Cole& Son (Wallpapers) Ltd, Purchases the Company
This includes some 2000 wooden wallpaper printing blocks acquired from neighbouring firms as they closed down over the course of the previous 60 years.
The company now exhibits the best in quality wallpaper manufacture from showrooms on aristocratic Mortimer Street in central London
1948
A New Era of Printing
Cole & Son creates one of the first screen print studios in Europe
1950s-1960s
The Contemporary Collection
Cole & Son go to market with some of the most iconic wallpaper prints of the Contemporary Design movement.
These include the perennially popular Contemporary classics Woods and Palm Leaves
These include the perennially popular Contemporary classics Woods and Palm Leaves
1961
By Royal Appointment
Cole & Son is granted its first Royal Warrant as a supplier of wallpaper to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
2005
ELLE Decoration International Design Awards Winner
Woods wins the EDIDA Wallcovering of the Year Award for its iconic design & classic monochrome colour palette
2007
Cole & Son x Fornasetti is Established
Cole & Son begins its long-standing relationship with the Italian atelier Fornasetti, creating exceptional wallpapers from the Milanese maestro’s vast archive of Objet d’art
2009
Cole & Son x Vivienne Westwood
“It is good when my ideas get carried over into other artistic media. This collection is a perfect opportunity to be able to work with a heritage company like Cole & Son and to see my ideas from fashion translated into the world of interiors and wallpaper”
Vivienne Westwood, 2009
Vivienne Westwood, 2009
2012
Cole & Son x Gucci
Cole & Son created the bespoke Flora wallpaper for Gucci using one of the house’s silk scarves for the hand-screen print repeat
2013
Royal Households & Beyond
The design house launches its first collection in collaboration with the charity Historic Royal Palaces, guardians to some of the most famous royal residences in the United Kingdom, including Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, and the Tower of London
2017
Ardmore Ceramics Translated into Captivating Wallcoverings
Recognised as modern day collectables by auction houses Christies, Bonham’s, and Sotheby’s, Ardmore ceramics depict the enchanting flora and fauna of the Kwazulu Natal area of South Africa. Translated to vibrant wallcoverings by the Design House of Cole & Son, 2017’s Ardmore collection was the start of a beautiful friendship between the two ateliers
2019
A First in Fabric
Cole & Son launches its first fabric collection, The Contemporary Collection – Fabrics, a selection of some of the design house’s best-loved designs in a range of luxurious textiles
2020
ELLE Deco Wallcovering Collection of the Year: The Pearwood Collection
Reimagined gems from the Cole & Son archive win ELLE Deco UK’s British Design Award for Wallcovering Collection of the Year
2022
The Design House Moves Home
In 2022 – the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee – Cole & Son move into a new home in the heart of Chelsea, Jubilee Place
June 2023
Fungi Forest Wins EDIDA Wallcovering of the Year
Cole & Son’s first ever eco-base wallpaper, Fungi Forest – which was designed in collaboration with British fashion house, Stella McCartney, wins the ELLE Decoration International Design Award for wallcovering of the year
September 2023
Cole & Son’s First Ever Flagship Opens Its Doors
On 18 September 2023 Cole & Son welcomed visitors into the house’s first ever flagship; a former art gallery which is now home to a retail space and by-invitation archive library
Today
Living Art & Living History
With a commitment and passion for design excellence, Cole & Son’s in-house artists continue to produce innovative and beautiful wallpapers.
Current collections reflect a long and distinguished history as well as a continuing passion for artistic design and quality craftsmanship
Current collections reflect a long and distinguished history as well as a continuing passion for artistic design and quality craftsmanship
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