Collaboration: RORY HUTTON X NARA CAMBRIDGE homeware range launched

Award-winning designer and illustrator Rory Hutton has joined forces with independent homeware brand Nara Cambridge to launch  a range of home linens.

Designer RORY HUTTON (right) andAlexandra Bishop, Founder of  NARA CAMBRIDGE with their

  tablecloth that features a timeless cobalt blue and white teapot design.
Photographed at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, UK.
 

The charming RORY HUTTON X NARA CAMBRIDGE range includes a tablecloth, matching napkin and tea towel featuring a series of ten teapots, inspired by the ceramics of the world-renowned Fitzwilliam Museum,  the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge.

The design of the set features heritage motifs with a modern twist.   Largely from the 18th century, the teapots that provided inspiration included several fine examples of English creamware as well as a charming Staffordshire pot in the shape of a house.

The tablecloth design plays with pattern and colour and features ten teapots.

Printing is done by hand – no screens or other machines
 are employed – and no harmful chemicals or dyes are used. 

The fabrics have been hand-printed using
 natural dyes on
machine washable 100% Cotton.

“The significance of everyday household ceramics such as teapots can sometimes be forgotten. However, these pieces are an important part of our social and cultural heritage, symbols of much-loved rituals and often holding enormous sentimental value” explains Hutton.

Helen Ritchie, Senior Curator of Modern & Contemporary Applied Arts at The Fitzwilliam Museum, adds: “It is wonderful to see teapots from the Fitzwilliam's extensive and important collection of ceramics used in such a beautiful and imaginative way. Intended originally to be used in the home, it is charming to think of these teapots once again adorning people's tables".

Cambridge-based Rory Hutton is recipient of multiple accolades, having designed numerous silk scarves - often featuring vivid lino cuts and striking block designs - for UK arts and heritage institutions, including The Royal Collection and Victoria & Albert Museum and those mentioned above. His creative inspirations include architecture, theatre, opera, and dance. 

Earlier this year, Hutton put out a trio of silk scarfs to  celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen.   

In the January 2023 issue of The English Home, Rory Hutton was awarded a New Year Honours in the category of 'Rising Stars'.  He is also a Scottish Edge winner; Ion Magazine Breakthrough Awards winner; runner-up in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and nominated for the ACE (Association of Cultural Enterprises) Awards.

Though relatively new to the interiors’ scene, Nara Cambridge has already stamped its mark with a collection of high-quality homeware, making use of traditional techniques where it can.   

RORY HUTTON X NARA CAMBRIDGE is no exception. The pair have worked with artisans in Rajasthan, India to combine traditional hand block print techniques with contemporary design.  Reimagining an ancient craft for the modern home whilst providing a dignified livelihood to local artisans.   

Alexandra Bishop, Founder of Nara Cambridge adds: “RORY HUTTON X NARA CAMBRIDGE is joyful - capturing the quirky elegance of Rory Hutton’s design with all the practical benefits of beautifully block-printed fabrics.  

“Hand block printing is a very physical process which gives unpredictable results but, the imperfections add a painterly quality and are what makes this collection so charming”.