Bringing the Royal Gardens Home: Sanderson’s Highgrove Collection
For those who dream of the quintessential English countryside and the serene beauty of a royal garden, a remarkable new collection from Sanderson offers a unique opportunity to infuse your living spaces with that very essence. This exquisite range, inspired by the breathtaking gardens at Highgrove House – the cherished country residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla – is a testament to the enduring charm of nature and the artistry of design. Developed in collaboration with The King’s Foundation, King Charles III’s charitable trust dedicated to promoting education and conservation, this collection is more than just a decorative line; it’s a curated experience that brings a touch of royal heritage and springtime joy directly into your home.
Sanderson, a historic British design house with a legacy spanning over a century, holds a Royal Warrant and has a long-standing relationship with British royal residences, supplying them with an array of fabrics, paints, and wallcoverings. This deep-rooted partnership provided the fertile ground for the Highgrove collection. Representatives from The King’s Foundation shared the rich narratives and inspiration behind Highgrove’s lush and meticulously tended gardens, which then inspired the Sanderson design team to translate these stories into a collection of magnificent fabric and wallpaper designs.
The collection is a harmonious blend of classic patterns and the organic beauty of Highgrove Gardens. Each design draws inspiration from both Sanderson’s extensive archives and the specific landscapes found within the royal estate. For instance, the “Topiary View” print reimagines the King’s iconic topiary yew hedge and the productive Kitchen Garden from an elevated, bird’s-eye perspective, offering a fresh and dynamic interpretation. Another notable design, “Apothecary Rose,” pays homage to the stunning rose blooms that gracefully adorn the exterior of Highgrove House.
Within the walls of Highgrove House itself, one print stands out as a particularly special feature: “Highgrove Toile.” This captivating fabric has been used to reimagine the anteroom at Highgrove, skillfully merging Sanderson’s archival toile designs with iconic elements of the Highgrove Gardens. The pattern thoughtfully incorporates features such as the stately yew trees and even a depiction of King Charles himself. Rendered in a rich, warm brown hue, this toile fabric adorns the curtains, a lampshade, and a magnificent sofa within the anteroom. The surrounding walls are finished in a textured umber shade, creating an inviting and earthy color palette. The linens and upholstery, brought to life by the lively patterns of the Highgrove Toile, draw the eye across the space, creating a sense of depth and visual interest.
The curtains provide an elegant backdrop, but it is the sofa that truly commands attention. With its stately silhouette, refined pleated trim, and slim bolsters, it exudes an air of sophisticated comfort. In an intimate setting like the anteroom, the Highgrove Toile transcends its role as a mere design element; it becomes a deeply personal touch that imbues the space with a vibrant and welcoming character.
Toile prints have long been celebrated for their ability to bring pastoral scenes to life, but the Highgrove Toile offers a unique and compelling undercurrent of royal history. The design process itself was a labor of love, with the Sanderson team meticulously hand-drawing and hand-painting the pattern. This detailed approach allowed for a precise and artistic depiction of some of the most enchanting features of Highgrove Gardens. In the context of the anteroom, the toile takes on a self-referential quality, subtly showcasing the grandeur of the estate and the profound care and dedication that King Charles III himself has invested in nurturing these beloved gardens.
Claire Vallis, Design Director at Sanderson, eloquently describes the gardens as a profound testament to “the King and his creative vision.” She elaborates, “Nothing is forced or overly designed. Every garden blooms in its organic beauty, offering glimpses of history and travel as you go through it. It thrives in this way, which was essential to capture in the collection. Highgrove by Sanderson embodies the gardens and everything they represent.”
In the private dining room at Highgrove, the tables are elegantly draped with “Rose Pergola Chintz” fabric from the Highgrove collection. Crafted from pure linen, this fabric features an archival Sanderson block print that dates back to the early 19th century. The graceful lines of the print artfully echo the architectural structure of a T-shaped rose pergola found within Highgrove Gardens, a structure that was originally gifted as a 50th birthday present to the then Prince of Wales. The print, a whimsical interpretation of traditional florals, combines soft pink and green hues with delightful dashes of blue, adding vibrancy without overwhelming the space. In the dining room setting, the tables adorned with this chintz fabric stand proudly beneath oval mirrors with intricately carved frames, creating a layered and visually rich environment.
“Highgrove is a very personal place for His Majesty King Charles III, which has been his home for over 45 years,” Claire Vallis notes. “The collection has grown from the garden, in harmony with it, taking on a life of its own as it transforms across fabric and wallpaper.” This organic evolution is evident in every design, seamlessly merging Sanderson’s illustrious heritage with the magical essence of King Charles’ country retreat.
“Highgrove Gardens is a celebratory place; it celebrates nature’s abundance and invites people to interact with and enjoy its fruits,” reflects Claire. “I hope these designs give people that same connection to nature, filling their homes with joy and abundant beauty.”
Explore the Highgrove Collection:
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Rose Pergola Chintz: This charming floral print is perfect for bringing a touch of springtime joy into your space. Subtle stripes and delicate dashes of blue add both dimension and warmth to the design.
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Topiary View in Tetbury Blue: Offering an uplifting, bird’s-eye perspective of Highgrove Gardens, this print is alive with depictions of the estate’s finest shrubs and hedges. It’s intricate yet refined.
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Highgrove Toile in Oak: Channel the elegance of Highgrove’s anteroom and the inherent beauty of the gardens with this striking toile print. The warm brown hue is both timeless and inviting.
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Wildflower Meadow Maple: Adapted from an archival French document, this whimsical print honors the natural beauty of Highgrove’s wildflower meadow and the vital biodiversity it supports.
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Delphinium & Lilac: Drawn from an early 20th-century chintz, this design has been thoughtfully reimagined to feature a variety of blooms found in the gardens at Highgrove, presented in delicate pastel hues.
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Amberley Stripe in Jodhpur Blue: There is an enduring elegance to a classic striped print like this one. The deep blue shade creates a timeless countryside aesthetic, offering a sense of enduring style.
