Matthew Williamson On Statement Design

Seamlessly fusing rich patterns with a kaleidoscope of colour, Matthew Williamson’s iconic designs bring a touch of contemporary decadence to interior spaces. Julia Millen spoke to the celebrated designer to find out more.

Describe your signature style

Nothing I do is ever too shiny and new. It’s about two words: rustic and decadent; the two extremes I try to bring to every product and every home and venue I design. Each product I create will find its natural home amongst any pre-established interior, adding something that makes a bold statement in a discourse with the rest of the room, while every project I work on, will combine rich, sumptuous colours and rugged, textural pieces to contrast.

How do you approach the design process?

I love the rub of old against new, of dark against light, and of refined against rough, so that principle often guides my approach. Stepping out of your comfort zone to play with pattern, shape, texture and colour brings a fresh feel to any home. Bringing antiques and vintage pieces into the conversation with contemporary art and colour palettes tells a story about your tastes but also leaves plenty of room to experiment.

How did your collaboration with John Lewis come about?

I have always shopped in John Lewis, be it for bedsheets, the perfect basic tee or for kids’ clothes. It’s been such a mainstay, and I wanted to put my stamp on a collection that I felt could encourage its clientele to add a little more colour and pattern into their homes.

What makes your John Lewis collection unique?

I wanted to create a collection of impactful pieces that would work beautifully in different environments to change up the look and feel of a space instantly. Ultimately, it all comes back to my mother, who has inspired so much of my work. Watching her get ready for work when I was a child, I could see that she used colour as a tool. It lifted her spirits and the spirits of those around her, and to this day, I find it has the same effect on me.

Where do you look for inspiration?

My travels to India play a huge part in my creative output. The country is so full of vitality, colour and heritage that has seeped into my sketches for a lifetime. British flora and fauna have also inspired many of my fabric designs - bedspreads in particular. I’m also a huge fan of Morocco – a vibrant clash of old and new.

How do you keep your designs fresh?

Throughout the design process for every new collection, I search far and wide for inspirations across time and place. However, I never look to time periods or aesthetic movements too deeply, as this can spiral into pastiche or parody. To keep my designs unexpected, it’s important to combine both historical influence and vivid imagination.

Do you prefer designing for a particular room or item?

Designing products and rooms requires very different disciplines. Often, product design comes with a few more limitations, such as the scale of the piece or the materials at my disposal, whereas interior design can feel more organic, less set in stone. Ultimately, the user or client needs to feel like they have invested in something really special that brings a smile to their face, whether that’s a single cushion or an entire home.

What design trends are coming to the fore?

Maximalism simply isn’t going away, so expect more rich patterns, glorious colour pairings and global influence, from English country houses to Spanish fincas and Chinoiserie to all-American glamour.