Introducing Our Hertiage Rutland Print

Our one-of-a-kind heritage print has been hand-painted in Rutland, England by talented local artist Chloe Smith, capturing the essence of Sophos’ picturesque surroundings.

Inspired by the county’s rich history, rolling hills, local flora and fauna, and historic landmarks. This exclusive design reflects the unique charm of our wonderful home.

My name is Chloe. I am an illustrator and print designer based in Leicestershire near Rutland.

What is your background that let you to pattern design?

Having trained in Decorative Arts, then specialising in Print and Illustration as a Masters Degree, I have grown my career in the creative industry working in-house, and more recently setting up as a freelance designer.  With over 15 years experience, I’ve enjoyed working across multiple areas of design, including graphics and illustration, with Print Design being my favourite. 

What is your method for creating repeat patterns?

I love to start the design process with research; getting out and about taking photographs or being inspired by incredible vintage designs, as well as relevant trends. It is always a fun part of the process to figure out the best way to create a design. I work in different mediums and often start by drawing and painting motifs using watercolour, ink, even collage. Nothing is off the table as it leads to exciting results.

What was the process for creating the Heritage print?

The Heritage Pattern was a lovely brief to work from as the design needed to take inspiration from the picturesque surroundings of Rutland, with its historic landmarks and local flora and fauna, all local to me. It was important to include these elements in the design, so I started by sketching elements and motifs most iconic to Rutland. Chatting with the team, the oak leaf and the deer were considered the most important so I set about making them the heart of the design. Working in the colour palette, I used gouache to hand-paint separate sections of the pattern and added detail with pen. I then worked out the scale and repeat of the design digitally ready for use.