The Ardmore Wallpaper Collection by Cole & Son

Cole & Son are delighted to present the Ardmore Collection, a range of new and exciting wallpapers in collaboration with Ardmore Ceramic Art. Ardmore’s charming and exuberant ceramic creations, have both a narrative and a strong heritage rooted in African tradition and culture, and it is this storytelling through the language of craft and craftsmanship which Cole & Son value and share.

The Ardmore Collection features a range of conversational, vibrant, pictorial wallpapers and borders that add a new dimension to the Cole & Son library. “Having coveted Ardmore Ceramics for several years and being strongly drawn to their whimsicality and narrative, it is now a privilege and a delight to be recreating these fabulous Ardmore stories onto wallpaper,” says Cole & Son Creative Director Shauna Dennison. Colourful, vibrant and quirky, Ardmore ceramics celebrate Africa’s birds, big cats, elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, mischievous monkeys and exotic flowers; as well as the beautiful patterns of Zulu beadwork and woven basket ware. Ardmore Ceramic Art was established thirty years ago on Ardmore farm, South Africa, when Fée Halstead met Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the daughter of her housekeeper. Those early days saw Fée, who has a BA (Fine Arts) Honours degree, sharing her knowledge with Bonnie whose polio meant that she was unable to work in the fields. Known for their stunning pieces that broke from the ceramic conventions of the time, fired terracotta clay was adorned with plaka paints, boot polish, glues and putty. Later American Amaco paints and transparent glazes brought vibrant colour and a fine painting style to the ceramics. Ardmore Ceramic Art has widened its scope of creativity in new non-ceramic products and collaborations under Halsted Design. The lives of the artists and those of their families have been uplifted through the development of their artistic talents and their success has given them independence, status and financial security. The Cole & Son Wallpaper Collection is available from St Leger & Viney