The Art of Living Beautifully

Inside the Home of Watts 1874's Newest Collection

In the rooms Watts 1874 imagined for the unveiling of its new collection, featuring the Northanger and Camberwell designs, the atmosphere is joyful, though the scenography isn't exactly perfect. Cushions are slightly displaced, light falls softly across patterned walls and two familiar pugs, Phoebe and Aperol, move effortlessly through the scene, as if they have always belonged there.

In fact, as part of the Watts 1874 family, they have !

Beloved companions of Marie-Séverine and Jean de Caraman Chimay, the fifth-generation custodians of Watts 1874, Phoebe and Aperol are the unexpected stars of a campaign celebrating two historical designs reimagined for contemporary living. Their presence brings something no stylist could ever arrange: warmth, personality and a sense of life unfolding naturally within beautifully decorated rooms.

Because the most memorable interiors are rarely the most perfect. They are the most personal.

A Return to the Poetry of Decoration

Presented during WOW!house 2026 at London's Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Northanger and Camberwell continue Watts 1874's longstanding signature and style, balancing heritage and contemporary design.

For more than 150 years, the British maison has drawn inspiration from one of the country's most remarkable archives of wallpapers, fabrics and decorative studies. Within this vast collection of original hand-blocks, nineteenth-century textile fragments and historic drawings, forgotten motifs await rediscovery.

Northanger and Camberwell emerged precisely from these researches.

Both designs reflect a growing desire for interiors that feel authentic, layered and emotionally resonant; homes that tell stories through colour, craftsmanship and historical reference rather than just trends.

Camberwell: the romance of the tulip

The more theatrical of the two designs, Camberwell celebrates one of the nineteenth century's most beloved floral motifs: the tulip.

Its origins lie in a rare wallpaper fragment discovered in an elegant South London townhouse and attributed to the celebrated architect and designer C.F.A. Voysey, one of the leading voices of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Oversized tulip forms unfurl across the surface with remarkable fluidity. Curving petals, scrolling foliage and rhythmic botanical silhouettes create a sense of movement that feels both decorative and surprisingly modern.

Available in a palette ranging from gentle botanical greens to dramatic Phoenix Red, Camberwell captures the enduring appeal of nature interpreted through the lens of artistic craftsmanship.

It is a design that commands attention while remaining deeply connected to the natural world that inspired it.

Northanger: timeless elegance of repetitive design

Where Camberwell speaks in sweeping botanical gestures, Northanger offers a more intimate atmosphere.

Inspired by nineteenth-century palmette ornamentation and archival textile studies, the fabric introduces a refined decorative rhythm through softly repeating motifs and layered botanical details.

Its beauty lies in repetition, creating a more comfortable atmosphere.

With nuanced shades of prune and gold, from blush tones to warm ochres, Northanger envelops furniture and interiors with a sense of calm sophistication. The design echoes the Arts and Crafts belief that nature should not merely decorate a room but enrich everyday life within it.

The result feels remarkably contemporary: elegant, comforting and quietly immersive.

Enter Phoebe and Aperol, two iconic characters

What makes this collection especially appealing is not only the designs themselves but also the life surrounding them.

Photographed within a relaxed domestic setting, Phoebe and Aperol wander between upholstered chairs, decorative cushions and botanical walls with complete confidence. One lounges comfortably on a tasseled ottoman. The other surveys the room from beneath a side table.

Together, they embody a distinctly British understanding of luxury.

A beautiful home is a place to gather, relax and create happy memories.

Their presence softens the formality often associated with heritage interiors and reminds us that decoration achieves its greatest success when it supports life rather than simply framing it.

Even one of the dogs' collars tells a story: adorned with handcrafted passementerie inspired by one of Watts 1874's most celebrated artisanal traditions, the collar offers a playful nod to the Maison's commitment to craftsmanship. Tassels, braids and trimmings, traditionally destined for curtains and upholstery, is transformed into miniature objets d'art.

It is a detail that perfectly captures the spirit of the collection: heritage, reinterpreted with imagination.

Old Style, New soul

At a time when many interiors strive for uniformity, Northanger and Camberwell celebrate something timeless: individuality.

They remind us that great decoration is not simply about pattern or colour. It is about atmosphere. About creating rooms that reflect the personalities of those who inhabit them.

And in this case, that includes two particularly charming pugs.

As Phoebe and Aperol seem to suggest from their favourite spot among the cushions or the impeccable armchair, the finest interiors are those filled with stories, memories and a little companionship.

After all, every beautiful room deserves a character or two, to pause, relax and laugh while admiring beauty and timeless designs.

Written by Laure de Dampierre, edited by Louisa W