Fritz Porter is delighted to introduce our latest collection from award-winning designer Sophie Harpley, where artistry meets sustainability in a symphony of hand-painted patterns.
Recognized as a 2023 Design Award Winner for Homes & Gardens and featured in House & Garden, Sophie's work is a masterful fusion of modernist art influences, Mediterranean warmth, and botanical beauty. From the idyllic English countryside to the prestigious V&A Museum in London, Sophie’s journey has shaped a studio that celebrates the joy of nature and the timeless elegance of hand-painted design. Crafted on pure linen cloth and original wallpapers, her creations bring a relaxed yet storied aesthetic to contemporary and traditional spaces alike.
What are 3 words that you feel best describe you?
S: Dreamer, Spontaneous, Optimistic
Is there anything that you have done recently for the very first time?
S: The past year has been all about being brave and pushing myself and my business a little more. That has meant quite a few firsts. One of the most exciting highlights is joining an overseas showroom for the first time (that's you Fritz Porter)! In the summer I ran my first decorative painting workshop in London - I now have another coming up at Decorex International. I have also designed my first larger scale print - the repeat is approx 50cm and it has really big bold blue flowers. It's a brave design, reflective of my whole practice growing in confidence. The year will end with another big first - I am moving from the city into an countryside village. I've never lived in a rural area before and I'm so excited to be closer to nature and all the design inspiration it brings me.
Do you have a favorite holiday or time of the year?
S: Summer. I am a Leo and an absolute summer girl. The sunlight and warmth makes me feel so happy and inspired. Nature is abundant at this time of year and I draw so many of my ideas from the colours and shapes found in flowers and foliage. I also have many fond memories of summers gone by, from my childhood or past holidays. Travelling is when my mind can run free and I soak up sights and ideas. As a Brit, summer holidays are often taken around Europe and I think there is definitely a sense of the Mediterranean that comes through in my work - the colours and the irreverent spirit. My great grandma was Italian so I think summer is a little piece of my DNA.
What is something that you feel sets your textile designs apart?
S: Every design is hand painted and it's a huge part of what I value and celebrate - bringing the human touch into the home. I paint in an intentionally loose way and I don't overly edit my work so as to retain some of the imperfect character. It's all quite spontaneous and I enjoy the movement this brings to the finished fabrics and papers. I also have quite a personal color palette - colourful but soft and rich. My designs are almost always inspired by nature yet with a nod to archival ideas. I aim to give a fresh twist on tradition through painting my motifs in a modern and relaxed way
What is the thing you are most passionate about in your creative process?
S: The thread of nature runs through my whole practice - from the floral inspiration to the freehand designs, natural colours and also the materials I use. I only print onto pure linen and natural wallpapers from replenished forests. It's all free from plastics and manmade fibres. I believe that interiors which feel natural and a little handmade are immediately more characterful and comforting - but most importantly, timeless and sustainable.
Sophie Harpley’s designs are now available at Fritz Porter, we invite you to experience the uniqueness of her designs, each carrying the heartbeat of nature and the soul of summer. Join us in welcoming an artist who is as much a part of her work as the summer sun is to a blooming garden.