150th Anniversary

In 2010, Sanderson celebrated its 150th anniversary, a momentous occasion for the oldest surviving English brand in its field. The Sanderson story spans many eras of changing tastes and styles and the designs have moved with the times, always reflecting contemporary style and new technologies. The company has experienced both success and struggle across its fifteen decades, and is proud to remain today a prosperous British business with an international reputation for lasting quality and timeless style.

David Smallridge, Managing Director

Sanderson: The Essence of English Decoration by Mary Schoeser for Thames & Hudson Publishing

For 150 years Sanderson has been at the vanguard of every significantmovement in European decorative arts, from Arts and Crafts and Art Deco to 1980s country-house style and the vibrant interiors of the Noughties, shaping a distinctive mode of English decoration beloved throughout the world. Granted unprecedented access to the Sanderson archives, historian Mary Schoeser tells the story of the company that became England’s leading manufacturer of wallpapers and decorative fabrics. With over 200 stunning patterns specially selected from the Sanderson archives and reproduced in rich full colour, this book is a font of inspiration for decorators, designers, graphic artists, collectors and anyone who loves a beautiful interior.

Sanderson: The Essence of English Decoration is available to purchase from good bookshops now.

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Very Sanderson: 150 Years of English Decoration at The Fashion & Textile Museum London

Ever wondered who produced the first coordinated collection of mass-produced wallpapers and fabrics in Britain? Or built what has been called the world’s most fabulous decorators’ showroom and invented the hinged display screens now seen in showrooms worldwide? How about who was first with post-impressionist wallpapers, or even earlier, the sole source in Britain of the most extravagantly expensive French papers? Then again, what company – from the Americas to the Far East – is most closely associated with the English chintz style? And who received the first Royal Warrant granted to a wallpaper manufacturer? The answers to all of these questions and more were revealed in an exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sanderson, which ran from 19 March – 13 June 2010 at the Fashion & Textile Museum, London.

Whether through several important technical innovations, its production of textiles and wallpapers by influential designers, or its provision of Britain’s first ‘infinite’ range of colours in household paints, Sanderson has had a significant impact on the decorator trade since its foundation by Arthur Sanderson in 1860. Moving with the times, it has survived when many other great firms failed, and over the years acquired a massive collection of wallpapers and textiles representing the history of its milieu. This exhibition highlights the best of its archive as well as brand new collections. Full of surprises, it will fascinate and inform those whose tastes run from the Arts & Crafts style, jazzy Moderne, fifties’ Festival designs and Pop patterns, to decidedly contemporary art and decor.

‘Very Sanderson -150 Years of English Decoration’ was co-curated by Dennis Nothdruft (FTM) and Mary Schoeser (independent curator) and accompanied by a lavishly-illustrated book published by Thames & Hudson.

Website: http://www.ftmlondon.org/

Download: What's on at the Fashion & Textile Museum

Sanderson 150 Years Collection - Vintage Fabrics & Wallpapers, Launching at London Design Week

The Sanderson design team put together a vibrant and varied collection of prints and wallpapers to mark the 150th anniversary of the company. The designs dated from the late 19th century to the 1970s, each one reflecting the style of the era in which it was first launched.

Facing a huge challenge in trying to encapsulate such a wide time span in a relatively small range of designs, after much discussion Design Director Liz Cann, Design Manager Rebecca Craig and the studio team finally settled on eight printed fabrics and eight wallpapers that they felt offered a glimpse of the wealth of designs in the Sanderson archive. The resulting collection, including designs by Robert Nicolson, C.F.A. Voysey, Pat Albeck and William Turner, was a celebration of the creativity and diversity of the company over the past 150 years.

Sanderson 150 Years with Nina Saunders & Tracey Neuls

Throughout its history, Sanderson, a pioneer and innovator in the decorating trade, has forged partnerships and associations with influential artists and designers. For the 150 years celebrations, the company is collaborating with contemporary artist, Nina Saunders and independent footwear designer, Tracey Neuls to create a fusion of art and fashion, decorating and design, which will envelop the latter’s Marylebone Lane shop space.

Launched for London Fashion Week, February 2010 and running through the S/S10 season, an art piece by Saunders, developing themes from her previous pieces that use Sanderson fabrics, will sit alongside a Sanderson shoe series by Neuls, well known for pushing the boundaries both technically and creatively in her field. All aspects of the installation utilised Sanderson designs, both fabrics and wallpapers, from the company’s extensive archives, resurrected and specially reworked for its anniversary year.

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