Sophie Harpley is a British artist and designer painting patterns by hand to create original wallpapers and linen. Inspired by modernist painting, botanical forms, antiques and travel; her fresh freehand style brings a relaxed and storied aesthetic to both traditional and contemporary interiors. 

Sophie's story

Sophie's story

Sophie grew up in the English west country. When she wasn't drawing or exploring outdoors, she would watch her mother spread bolts of Laura Ashley cloth across the kitchen table to make curtains and clothes. Her earliest memory is of the dainty floral wallpapers around their Victorian home.

After studying in Sussex, Sophie's career began at London's V&A Museum and served to confirm her deep love of art and decorative design. She then went back to art school in Bristol, gaining an MA Graphic Arts in 2012, specialised in print.

Drawing together a love of paint and pattern, Sophie's homeware collection has evolved alongside illustration commissions and design work for British interiors brands like Liberty x Bloom & Wild, Habitat, Sofa.com and Graham & Green.

Sophie's work is known for a relaxed, layered and colourful aesthetic, a passion for nature and her signature loose hand painted style.

Sustainably made in Britain

Sustainably made in Britain

With both nature and craft as inspirations for Sophie’s designs, she wanted to produce them in ways that honour this. Sophie's papers and cloth are all printed by skilled artisans in Britain, drawing from generations of expertise, yet pioneering sustainable printing today.

Linen is made from Flax which grows organically and even improves the soil around it. Sophie uses the finest, pure European linen. Her wallpapers are made from replenished forests. Both materials being natural, are also biodegradable.

Sophie's cushions and lampshades are handmade in small batches, making use of every inch of fabric and wallpaper, to create joyful interior accessories.

Press, partners & awards

Sophie's work has featured in national press such as British Vogue, House & Garden, The Financial Times, Telegraph and Elle Decoration. Most recently Sophie has partnered with Annie Sloan, Domenica Marland and Haines Collection. In 2023 she won a Homes & Gardens Design Award for her new wallpapers and joined The List by House & Garden.

"Sophie Harpley specialises in delicate painterly flowers. "I paint for the love of imperfection — visible brushstrokes and a handmade, human feeling."

Rosanna Dodds
HOW TO SPEND IT

"Sophie Harpley’s painterly creations are always uplifting and bring a smile to your face."

Hayley Maitland
BRITISH VOGUE

"With an evolving collection of hand-painted patterns, artist Sophie works with sustainable materials like pure linen and wallpaper made from replenished forests."

Christabel Chubb
HOUSE & GARDEN

“Thank you for the beautiful wallpaper and the fantastic service! I love it so much and I love that you include paint colour matches on the website. We chose pea green woodwork.”

Tabitha, customer
LONDON

"Truly mesmerising work."

Cath Kidston MBE
C.ATHERLEY

"Redecorate a bedroom in time for summer in a wallpaper design by Sophie Harpley. Sophie's dainty hand-painted depiction of flowers is offered in three designs."

Kiera Buckley-Jones
HOMES & ANTIQUES

“Sophie is amazingly talented and this cushion is so beautiful, I love this print."

Liv Purvis
WHAT OLIVIA DID

"Sophie Harpley draws on her passion for antiques, travel and modernist art to create beautiful hand painted patterns for fabrics and wallpapers. She has designed for a number of interiors brands while building her own illustration business. Her debut wallpaper collection is based on her original floral paintings"

Pippa Blenkinsop
PERIOD LIVING

"Sophie swishes her paintbrush in a
forest-green watercolour, before painting the leaves... she makes it look easy."

Jessica Salter
THE TELEGRAPH

"A cosy addition to your sofa or bed, a Geranium pattern-print is modern yet timeless and will tie your space together whether you love minimalism or maximalism - chic but minimal effort."

Shahed Ezaydi
STYLIST MAGAZINE

"Sophie's love of paint and pattern has blossomed into a collection of artful homewares. Inspired by impressionist art, flora, fauna, travel and heritage, Sophie’s work adds a modern style to timeless motifs, and all made in Britain using sustainable materials."

The Luxe List
SHEERLUXE

“Very English Country Garden, also a little bit different and filled with flowers – what’s not to love?”

Charlotte Jacklin
WRITER & STYLIST

“Sophie’s work just speaks to me. I love the simplicity and naivety.”

Fiona Humberstone
THE BRAND STYLIST

"Swipes of paint and organic free-form shapes give that painterly, Matisse-y look. It’s homely and inviting whilst full of elegance and style."

Becky Ho-Hale
MOST CURIOUS

“This is going to be dangerous,
these wallpapers are just perfect.”

Gemma
MUTHAHOOD

"Stripes 'remind me of the beach, deckchairs and parasols, as well as reassuringly British habits like striped pyjamas or toothpaste. There's an inherent nostalgia,' reflects wallpaper designer and artist Sophie Harpley."

Emma J Page
THE ENGLISH HOME

"Sophie's designs make us wish we led a more refined life... wouldn't it look lovely with a little bunch of fresh flowers? The range includes printed textiles and even a bit of stationery."

Kate Carter
THE GUARDIAN

Studio Stories

  • November 21, 2024

    The Miniaturists ~ and other stories from my ancestors.

    By Sophie Harpley
    The Miniaturists ~ and other stories from my ancestors.
    My ancestors miniature paintings are held in some of the UK's major museums. But of course I never met them and have only snippets of stories to begin to understand their lives. This is a short tale of two great grandmothers and an inheritance of creativity. 
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  • October 29, 2024

    Mr Kilburn’s Calicos

    By Sophie Harpley
    Mr Kilburn’s Calicos
    William Kilburn 1745-1818 was better known for elaborate chintzes, so it blew my socks off when I first discovered these designs, flicking the pages of The World of Interiors in 2014. They look as if they were made 150 years later than they were, I love simple almost abstract shapes.
    Continue reading