Q & A ASK MR MERRIDEW
Q My daughter, who is at art college, tells me chintz is back in fashion, but that my mother’s tea set doesn’t cut it. Is she right, and if so, what does new chintz look like?
Barbara, Devon
IF this summer has taught us anything, it’s that being surrounded by what you love is really the most important thing, isn’t it? So let me just say that if you love thatonto something, and many of the new collections trickling through look like chintz-if-you-squintz. The original pattern came from Indian textiles, and its vibrant use of colour and print is what is characterising modern designs. Pinks and blue florals swirl together, as exotic birds perch. It’s the mix of hues that feels contemporary, pairing shades, such as fuchsia with sky blue, that probably don’t correspond with your teacups. Chintz 2.0 is fun rather than fusty, light and playful. Younger designers of your daughter’s generation, led by Beata Heuman, like to group it together for a maximalist fantasy, paired with geometrics and pillar-box red, while at the softer end of the spectrum, Colefax and Fowler’s Jardine range (pictured) is really rather lovely. €
