How to decorate with antique suzani textiles
Why the colourful textiles of central Asia should be go-to decoration for this year
The glistening russet and gold of embroidered Asian textiles has inspired western interiors for half a century, particularly the suzani. Interior designers and home owners alike have fallen for the charm of these exquisite and ancient tribal works of art, leading to a mass design resurgence. Not only do they have a fascinating history, but the antique suzani is becoming more collectable. Plus, their distinctive style is often recreated by contemporary designers of prints and weaves.
What is a suzani?
Suzanis are exquisitely embroidered cloths hailing from Uzbekistan. The word suzani is Persian and translates as needle - and this is needlework of the highest order. From designs of dramatic black and red sun disks to flower heads, stars, trailing plants, sinuous vines, fruit, and perhaps a bird or water carrier, each is stitched in a palette of colours that is bold yet gloriously harmonious. 'It was the colour that struck me when I first saw an antique suzani,' says dealer Susan Deliss, 'but it was also the romance they carry from the women who work them by hand in Uzbekistan. It is still such a remote and mysterious country.'
It's not difficult to carry this far-off romance into your own home either. With these six easy ways to combine suzanis with your existing decor, you'll find yourself amid a wealth of historic colour and pattern.
Napkins in modern suzani fabric make for a fresh look and stylish contrast to older, antique pieces
Use a vintage suzani as a lavish tablecloth or a wall hanging. Set it against a cool blue-grey background to really make the coloured embroidery sing
On console table: Carl Auböck fruit bowl, £700, Sigmar. Victorian port glasses, £500 for 10; William IV green decanter, £380, all Guinevere. 'Marta vase in 'Gold Ruby', £135, William Yeoward. Tea tin, £7.50, The OK Corral. 'Lakai' toleware lamp base, £155, Oka. Grey lampshade, £60, Pooky. 1940s green stripe flatware rug, £1,800; red Windsor chair, £365, both Howe. Silk and cotton cushion, £160, Susan Deliss. Tapered steel-leg dining table, £1,400, The French House
On table: Suzani (used as tablecloth), c1900, £2,990, Joss Graham. Wicker place mats, as before. 'Grand Chalet' side plate, £55; 'Grand Chalet' dinner plate, £70, both Designers Guild. Napkins and vintage knife, as before. Vintage wine glasses, £3 each, all Sunbury Antiques Market. Wall in 'Celestial Blue' absolute mat emulsion paint, £37 per 2.5l, Little Greene
A mismatched collection of chairs upholstered in suzani fabric creates a warm, colourful and vibrant look
Chairs, from left: 'Pluto Poompuhar' chair, £995, Andrew Martin. Suzani cushion, £38, Jazmin. Silk suzani panel with Ottoman motifs (on chair), £550, Susan Deliss. Edwardian chair upholstered in vintage suzani fabric , £125, Swanky Seats. Suzani armchair, £450, Graham & Green. 1950s Parket Knoll wingback armchair upholstered in vintage suzani fabric, £625, Swanky Seats. 'Krakow Square' cushion, £105, Niki Jones. 1940s red flat-weave rug, £1,400, Howe. 'Shirting' paint on wall, as before
The rich russets and bold ornate graphics of these suzanis make stunning display artworks when paired against a simple background
Use a vintage suzani as a bold curtain or bedspread. Smaller pieces can be used to make a pretty curtain pelmet
On table: Turquoise planter vase, £20, Designers Guild. Carafe with glass, £79, William Yeoward. Vintage book, £10 Pimpernel & Partners. Similar vintage chandelier, from £500, The Vintage Chandelier Company. 'Harvest' rug in fuchsia, £1,350, Stepevi. Vintage Thai children's hat, £135, Guinevere. Pelmet in Ottoman motif silk hand-embroidered cotton fabric, £440, Susan Deliss. Suzani (as curtain), c1880, from Nurata, central Asia, £9,750; suzani (as bed cover), c1900, from Uzbekistan, £1,200, both Joss Graham
Shelf, from left: Red painted Louis Philippe mirror, £115; Dahlia painting, £195, both Pimpernel & Partners. 'Carnation Flowerhead' needlepoint, as before. Set of four vintage buttons, £4; set of 12 vintage buttons, £12, both Pimpernel & Partners. Vintage bulb glass, £8, The OK Corral. Tulips watercolour painting, £99, Pimpernel & Partners. Silk hand-embroidered panel, £390, Susan Deliss
Cushions, from left: Blue/red suzani cushion, £160, Guinevere. Pale embroidered suzani cushion, £120, Joss Graham. Pink/blue suzani cushion, £38, Graham & Green. Red patterned suzani cushion, £200, Guinevere
Bedding: 'Classic White' Ozford pillowcases, £37.50 each; 'Classic White' king-size duvet cover, £15; 'Classic White king-size flat sheet, £140, all The Linen Works. Walls in 'Pink Slip' absolute matt emulsion paint, as before
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