As the Chelsea Flower Show returns, we’re reminded of the quiet joy and vibrancy that florals can bring, not just to gardens, but to interiors. At Imogen Heath, we often draw on the natural world as a starting point for design, and this time of year feels like a celebration of everything we love: expressive pattern, bold colour, and the link between craft and nature.

Floral fabrics being designed in the studio of Imogen Heath — Imogen Heath Studio - Floral Designs for Fabric & Wallpaper

Florals as a Design Foundation

Florals have long been at the heart of interior design, but we’re especially drawn to interpretations that feel expressive, painterly, and human. Our fabric collections, such as Abigail, Sarah Louise and Evergreen, were all born from original artworks, hand-painted studies of natural forms, later translated into embroidery and print.

Rather than mimicking nature exactly, we look for the feeling it brings. A layered composition of colour, light and movement. Whether it’s a soft scatter of wildflowers or a bold bloom, floral design allows us to explore contrast, rhythm and texture.

Colour Palettes Rooted in Nature

Much like the Chelsea gardens, our collections often begin with a palette of ochre, soft pinks, deep greens or fresh citrus. Colour is always our starting point. It guides the mood, anchors the materials, and informs the scale and structure of a scheme.

We think of colour as a tool to evoke a season, a landscape, or even a feeling. By combining floral pattern with grounded, earthy hues or unexpected brights, we create textiles that bring richness to a space without overpowering it.

Abigail fabric being cut out and used to create floral embroidery in the Uk. Made by Imogen Heath

Order samples

Bringing the Outside In

One of the most natural connections between interiors and the outdoors comes through texture and material. We work in small batches with fine linens, cottons, silks and hand-embroidery techniques that celebrate tactile detail, a reflection of the natural world’s irregularity and beauty.

Even when used in small ways, a single curtain panel, a cushion, a trim floral fabrics can shift a space. They soften edges, add visual rhythm, and connect the indoors with the seasonal shifts happening just beyond the window.

Sustainable Design Inspired by Nature

Just as the Chelsea Flower Show increasingly highlights sustainable growing and planting practices, we believe in slow, responsible design. Our textiles are made in the UK and India with care, in collaboration with skilled makers. Everything is made to order, helping to minimise waste and keep the focus on longevity over trend.

Fyvie First Light Wallpaper - By Imogen Heath

Order Samples

Five Ways to Use Floral Design in the Home

Layered Neutrals with Floral Accents
Use florals sparingly on cushions, trims or lampshades to introduce gentle movement without overwhelming a space.
Statement Curtains or Blinds
Frame a view with bold floral drapery or blinds to echo the garden beyond and create a feeling of softness and enclosure.
Mix Scale and Texture
Combine small-scale florals with bolder, abstract prints or stripes to create visual rhythm and contrast.
Seasonal Switches
Rotate cushions, runners or wall hangings with the seasons. Choose spring and summer florals in lighter weights, and deeper tones or heavier weaves for autumn and winter.
Tone-on-Tone Florals
Use florals in similar tones to your base palette to add interest without high contrast — subtle but rich.

Local Inspiration: Gardens to Visit in Sussex

Looking to explore beautiful floral design in real life? Here are a few of our favourite gardens and green spaces near our studio:

Great Dixter House & Gardens – bold planting and historic charm in East Sussex.
Sheffield Park & Garden – National Trust garden with expansive borders and dramatic seasonal colour.
Parham House & Gardens – romantic walled gardens and herbaceous borders.
Charleston – home of the Bloomsbury Group, with painterly gardens to match the interiors.
Nymans – a mix of formal gardens and natural woodland, managed by the National Trust.
Farleys House & Gallery – the former home of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, where art and garden come together in a uniquely creative setting.

For Designers and Homeowners Alike

Whether you’re a designer developing a client scheme or simply refreshing your own space, we hope this moment offers inspiration. The garden can be a guide — not just in colour, but in composition and restraint.

From the bold and painterly to the quietly textured, our floral designs offer a way to bring joy, calm and character into the home.

Explore our floral fabrics or get in touch to discuss a scheme.