Watts 1874 collaborates with Eastnor Castle

A new opulent design collection is channelling the castle’s eclectic interior world in a range of textiles and furniture

If you have visited Eastnor Castle, you will be aware of its captivating blend of artistic influences. Walking through its decorated halls, you would be forgiven if you became overwhelmed by the mélange of Gothic, Italian, Renaissance and Regency baronial designs that reflect the eclectic tastes and passions of the castle’s prior inhabitants. Central to Eastnor's identity is the influence of the 3rd Earl Somers, whose connection to key figures like Virginia Pattle and the Pre-Raphaelites inspired Eastnor's interiors, such as the Pugin-designed drawing room and Italian Renaissance-inspired library.

Speaking with Imogen Hervey-Bathurst, who grew up in the castle and is the daughter of owner James Hervey-Bathurst, she expressed her love for its unique and eclectic design: ‘Every surface at Eastnor is covered with pattern and texture, which is what makes Eastnor so immersive. I do not see Eastnor as a historic house, I see it as an extraordinary house that exists somewhere between fantasy and authenticity.’ Along with many other creative minds, it was this that attracted the attention of luxury design house, Watts 1874.

Founded in 1874 by three visionary architects – George Frederick Bodley, Thomas Garner and George Gilbert Scott Jr – Watts 1874 has a history that mirrors Eastnor’s own in its dedication to originality and the celebration of art. The company is responsible for some of the most illustrious interiors in Britain, including Ham House in Surrey, Powis Castle in Wales and part of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, and continues to be known for its meticulous attention to historical detail and inspired design.

For its latest collection, Watts and Eastnor have come together to bring us pieces that combine expert craftsmanship with a lived-in charm. The collection features digital and hand-blocked wallpapers, opulent textiles, screens, tapestries and furniture. All are inspired by the eclectic array of styles and historical treasures found throughout Eastnor, including the tapestries in the Long Library, decorative patterns on the furniture, coffered ceilings and existing historical wallpapers.

Collaborating with Watts is something that made sense to Imogen Hervey-Bathurst. ‘Watts and Eastnor have incredible synergy, driven by their shared boldness and fearless embrace of creative risks,’ says the next-generation châtelaine. ‘Eastnor and Watts embody a spirit of confidence in design and an avant-garde spirit.’

The connection between Eastnor Castle and Watts 1874 runs deeper than this collection. Fiona Flint, the creative director of the luxury design house, worked on bespoke wall coverings for the Hervey-Bathurst family in the 1990s. Through her research, Flint uncovered original Watts designs that had previously adorned the castle’s rooms, which provided the inspiration for a new collaboration – one that isn’t simply about reproducing old designs. ‘Excellence in design and craftsmanship are timeless; there is no past or present,’ Imogen informs us. ‘Rather than historic or modern, I see these designs and the collection as everlasting.’

The Watts 1874 x Eastnor Castle collection is set to be unveiled at the Paris Déco Off design festival in January 2025. For those with a taste for unabashed opulence, the collection offers an opportunity to bring a piece of Eastnor into the home, hotels or clubs. ‘I hope this collaboration will appeal to people’s spirits,’ says Imogen. ‘I love the idea that people all over the world can own a piece of Eastnor.’

The Watts 1874 x Eastnor Castle collection launches at Paris Déco Off, 15-18 January 2025; watts1874.co.uk