A beautiful fabric isn’t always designed from scratch; sometimes, it’s carefully unearthed. For interior design enthusiasts and history lovers alike, there is nothing quite like the thrill of the archive, the tactile magic of unrolling a centuries-old textile fragment and seeing the fingerprints of artisans from generations past.

With their newest exclusive collection, Hinton Hill, Lee Jofa does what they do best: bridges the gap between historic grandeur and the discerning modern home. This comprehensive offering of signature prints, embroideries, weaves, wallcoverings, and trimmings is a love letter to 19th and 20th-century documentary textiles, updated flawlessly with fresh, nature-inspired color palettes.

Here is an exclusive look behind the design curtain, featuring insights from the creative minds who brought this stunning archival story to life.

The Discovery: Uncovering the Documents

Every great archival collection begins with a treasure hunt. To create a collection that speaks to Lee Jofa’s enduring legacy of exceptional classic design, the team had to look backward to move forward.

“True art never fades; it merely evolves. Inspired by the meticulous mastery of the Oberkampf Manufactory (1760–1810), our modern interpretation honors the soul of classic Toile while weaving it seamlessly into the fabric of today’s world.” —Scott Kravet

The Adaptation: Honoring a Celebrated Approach to Tradition

Unlocking the archives is only step one; the true artistry lies in translation. How do you take a historic pattern and make it feel relevant for a 21st-century interior while ensuring it coordinates seamlessly with previous Lee Jofa collections?

For patterns like the collection’s namesake, Hinton Hill (a stunning Jacobean embroidery) and Arundel Print (a graceful new interpretation of the timeless tree of life motif), the transformation required a delicate, respectful hand.

“The Lee Jofa design studio sought to bring an utterly fresh and unabashedly pretty perspective to the archive inspired embroideries, printed fabrics and wallpapers of our recently launched Hinton Hill collection. Garden variety pinks, greens and blues combine to offer a modern take on traditional decorating.” —Stephen Elrod

The Execution: Infusing Fresh Color and Exquisite Craft

The final ingredient in reviving history is modern execution. By introducing rich qualities, nuanced stitching, and a lush, nature-inspired palette, the studio breathed vibrant new life into the old documents. The collection even includes brilliant new colorways of Lee Jofa’s beloved Chinese Peony print, proof that true classics only get better with time.

“In the studio, we love mixing techniques, like the block print and embroidery, Elsie Print, and the yarn dyed stripe with embroidery, Filaree Emb. The prints evolved considerably from the original documents, which were quite heavy in color and treatment. Softening the palette and layering in subtle texture helped to make each pattern feel more fresh and current. It was also fun to layer in trimming, like jewelry to complement the main designs.” —Sumitra Mattai

Timeless Design for the Discerning Home

The Hinton Hill collection is proof that true style is cyclical, and exceptional design never fades, it simply evolves. By marrying the soulful narrative of the past with the fresh energy of the present, Lee Jofa has created a collection meant to be lived in, loved, and passed down once again.