Celebrated for her joyful block-printed textiles and distinctive use of colour, British designer Molly Mahon draws inspiration from the natural world, traditional craftsmanship and her travels. For London Craft Week 2025, we welcomed Molly to our London showroom to celebrate the launch of her Woodlands Collection, a beautiful range of designs inspired by the British countryside. To mark the occasion, we sat down with Molly to talk about her creative process, the importance of colour and craft, and why she believes in decorating slowly and thoughtfully. Our London showroom Molly Mahon Walls freshly painted in Naples Yellow Finding inspiration in nature How does nature influence your design process? “Nature is my constant muse. The gentle curl of a fern, the layers of a woodland walk, the imperfect beauty of falling leaves, all of it feeds into my shapes, my palettes, my rhythms. Nature reminds me to design with simplicity, balance and surprise.” Can you describe a moment in nature that directly inspired one of your designs? “Yes, the Oak Leaf block came from a single leaf I picked up on a walk. It had such character, with its ragged edges and strong spine. I traced it and carved it that same afternoon.” How would you describe the Woodlands Collection? “The Woodlands Collection is a celebration of the British countryside, its peace, its mystery, its grounding beauty. Expect oak leaves, curling ferns, earthy tones and the sense of being wrapped in a natural embrace.” The Collection A love of colour Working in interiors, how important is colour in your day-to-day life? “Colour is absolutely at the heart of everything I do, it’s how I see and feel the world. It can uplift a room, calm a mood, or energise a space. To me, colour is joy made visible. I see it everywhere; in a petal, in the pinks of Jaipur, or in a perfectly ripe peach on my kitchen counter.” How do you approach building a colour palette for a new collection? “It always starts with a feeling. Sometimes it’s a season, a place, or even a particular mood. For instance, with our Woodlands Collection, I wanted to capture that sense of shelter and dappled light. So we leaned into mossy greens, soft blues and pops of mauve (think fox gloves and orchids), colours that feel like a walk in the woods.” Do you have a favourite Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colour? “Oh goodness, that’s hard! But if I had to choose, I do have a soft spot for Turquoise. I have just painted my kitchen with it. It’s warm, hopeful and so uplifting — like a beautiful sunny day on a Sussex coast.” Explore Turquoise in our natural paint collection. Turquoise bedroom at The Rose Hotel in Deal Traditional craft and contemporary interiors Are there any historical or cultural textile traditions that influence your use of natural forms and colour? “Absolutely, India, especially Rajasthan, has left an indelible mark on my soul. The centuries-old block printing traditions there, the perfectly imperfect prints, the indigo blues and the gentle hum of craft are woven into everything I do. I also adore the work of the Bloomsbury group, in particular, the aesthetic of Charleston. The ‘can do’ confident method of decorating their home is something that really inspires me.” How do you reconcile traditional nature motifs with a contemporary aesthetic? “By keeping things honest and simple. I like to take the essence of a natural form, say, a tree or a petal, and strip it back to its iconographic joyful shape. I use bold, unfussy block printing and fresh, lively colours that bring it forward into the now.” What about craft do you think is so important to design? “Craft brings soul to design. It carries the mark of the maker, the history of a technique and a kind of quiet beauty you just can’t replicate with machines.” Forest Flowers fabric against Jonquil walls Woodlands Collection against our Turquoise Lampshade in Indian Leaf The beauty of slow decorating What is your take on slow decorating and being more thoughtful in your design process? “I’m thrilled by it. Slower decorating is how I’ve always worked, letting things evolve, layering meaning over time, and choosing quality over quantity.” What role do you think textile and wallpaper designers play in encouraging sustainable living? “A big one. We can choose to make beautiful things with care, using water based dyes, renewable materials, and timeless designs that aren’t tossed aside with trends. Craft encourages slower, more thoughtful living.” What is your best advice for someone trying to develop their own personal style? “Start with what makes you feel good. Look at your wardrobe, your photos, the places you love; there’s your palette, your patterns, your vibe. Trust it.” Trailing Acorn and Woodland Sprig fabric Discover Molly Mahon’s Woodlands Collection Inspired by woodland walks, traditional block printing and the changing colours of the British countryside, Molly’s Woodlands Collection celebrates the beauty of natural forms through pattern and colour. Our collaboration for London Craft Week brought together a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, natural materials and the joy of decorating with colour. Explore the Woodlands Collection and discover our own palette of natural paint colours, made using real earth and mineral pigments.
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