Some designs don’t just last, they lead. In this Enduring Designs series, I’m highlighting the collections that continue to inspire, provoke, and enchant, long after their debut. These are the creations that have become part of the NewWall identity, standing the test of time not just for their beauty, but for their meaning.
This month, I’m turning the spotlight on House of Hackney. A brand I’ve long admired for their bold aesthetic, cultural storytelling, and unwavering commitment to craft and sustainability. Their work doesn’t whisper…it speaks in rich, layered narratives. And whether it’s your first encounter or a long-time love, their patterns invite you to look a little closer.
Let me take you through the designs that continue to resonate, and the reasons House of Hackney holds a lasting place in our world.
Nature as Muse
Nature is a recurring motif in House of Hackney’s work, but always through a distinct lens. Take Palmeral, their now-iconic palm print inspired by Hackney’s own botanical history.
A tribute to Loddiges, once one of the largest palm houses in the world, this design channels both Art Deco geometry and Georgian lushness. Then there’s Plantasia. A sweeping mural of wild, untouched forests, created in collaboration with Friends of the Earth. It’s as romantic as it is radical…a call to reconnect with the natural world.
With references to Arthurian legend and ancient earth goddesses, these wallpapers bring more than just beauty…they carry a reverence for the past, interpreted with modern detail and scale. It’s this kind of layered storytelling that elevates their work beyond pattern and into the realm of visual poetry.
A Love Letter to Folklore
House of Hackney’s partnership with the William Morris Gallery has produced some of the most spellbinding prints in their collection. Artemis and Blackthorn are tributes to Morris’s visionary legacy: florals that bloom with movement and mystery.
Blackthorn, originally created in 1892, is reimagined here with a deeper mood and a more expressive colour palette.
Meanwhile, Artemis draws inspiration from Diana Vreeland’s legendary “Garden in Hell” room…feral, fever-dream florals that feel both Victorian and wildly contemporary.
Maximalism with Meaning
While their aesthetic is undeniably bold, what’s perhaps most enduring about House of Hackney is the meaning beneath the colour. The snakes in Anaconda aren’t just decorative…they represent the life force, regeneration, and the cyclical nature of creativity.
Opia, with its painterly gold poppies, is both classic and contemporary, proving that florals never need to feel predictable.
Even Zeus, a serene chinoiserie-style scene, feels imbued with spirit, with graceful cranes and weeping willows suspended in time.
And then there’s Limerence. A design as intoxicating as its name suggests. Inspired by the botanical drama of Sri Lanka and originally created for the legendary Annabel’s club, it’s a masterclass in colour, contrast, and atmosphere.
For us, House of Hackney is a whole philosophy for interiors. A belief that our homes should express our stories, moods, memories, and dreams. Their designs are a testament to the enduring power of print, to craftsmanship with a conscience, and to beauty that doesn’t fade with trends.
And that’s what makes them a true NewWall icon.