Festive opening 2023/24 – Our last working day is Thursday 21st of December 2023 and we return on Tuesday 2nd of January 2024.

In March we rounded off our year long celebrations of our 50th Anniversary and had the pleasure of hosting a talk at Gainsborough’s House. Richard shared his story of his route into textiles and the early years of the business. It was a fantastic chance to catch up with our clients, colleagues past and present and friends of the business to share many of the special projects we have completed over the past five decades.  In addition we showcased exciting new developments and custom woven textiles, before guests experienced a behind the scenes tour of the new Gainsborough Gallery.  This magnificent room is filled with custom dyed pure silk damask in Rangers Green woven by Humphries Weaving. We also supplied the new donor panels, woven with the photographic technique to mimic a painting from within the Gallery.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of 2023 was the Coronation of King Charles III. On the 6th of May the new Sovereign was crowned, and we had the privilege of supplying two of the key fabrics used throughout the day. Crimson silk damask was woven for the Chairs of Estate, which you can see being upholstered behind the schemes in the royal workshops. We also wove crimson Duchess Satin for interior upholstery of the Coronation Gold State Coach. After the Coronation their majesties traveled in this during the Coronation procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

We welcomed Charlotte Bainbridge to the team in late summer, whom many of our customers will have already enjoyed meeting and working with. Charlotte joined us from a bespoke handweaving business specialising in designing and weaving textile art and luxury interiors. Alongside many years experience with one of London’s leading floral designers. The role at Humphries Weaving brings together her strong creative aspect, deep passion for woven fabric and high level project management skills, ultimately delivering a customers vision.

To our showroom we welcomed groups from the Decorative Arts Tour from America, the Association of Master Upholsters & Soft Furnishers and the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. We have also represented the business at the Historic House AGM exhibition, Textiles from the Eastern Silk Road conference, UKFT Sustainability in UK Textiles Conference and the Making it in Textiles conference supporting textile graduates into industry.

“Sage Green” seems to be the colour of the year, with many clients opting to custom dye an exact shade of green for a project. A Green Silk & Wool Damask was woven for the mahogany armchairs for Ditton Park, and the Dukes Study at Alnwick Castle is soon to be filled with pure silk damask and a plain silk sateen border.

We have been traveling around the United Kingdom visiting clients and attending site meetings to review historic textiles in situe. This is a vital part of the process as it allows us to accurately redraw designs, and take colour extractions to redevelop the unique historic shade. Often this involves climbing scaffolding to access materials in a dark protected corner of the room, for which you need to have a head for heights!