At Birdie Fortescue, we’re big believers that more is more! We love to experiment with unexpected colour, print and textile combinations which might not immediately seem obvious, but when styled correctly result in a wonderfully eclectic look. 

This season’s Florentine collection celebrates the architectural design and decoration found across the city of Florence. From wrought ironwork on balconies and balustrades and marble inlay on floors and facades to the faded frescoes in churches and palazzi, the SS23 collection presents a clean and contemporary take on classical embellishment and detail. Our hero print, Santa Croce, is an interpretation of the soft geometric frescoes that appear in the Church of Santa Croce, whilst the astonishing marble floors of the Baptistery of San Giovanni have inspired our two designs, the playful Piazza Chevron and Baptistery. Throughout this considered collection, every design tells a story - a detail of Flora’s dress in Botticelli’s Primavera is echoed in our floral print, Finestra pays homage to the classic quatrefoil motif, and Viale is the detail Birdie spotted on a painted architrave in Via Camillo Cavour. Each print has been reimagined and carefully designed to sit harmoniously alongside each other, previous collections and your own existing pieces. 

Mixing multiple prints can sometimes seem daunting and unnatural but this guide will show you how cleverly layering prints can be done in a cohesive way to create an interior which feels interesting and playful, but still calming. 

The SS23 Florentine collection has an array of Italian inspired prints in rich seasonal colours; sky blues, leafy greens and cameo pinks. The collection has been thoughtfully designed to mix and match in a cohesive way with all prints and colours complimenting each other and previous Birdie Fortescue designs and palettes. 

When combining prints, don’t be afraid to mix two, three or maybe even four contrasting patterns and designs. Refreshing a sofa scheme in a living area is a great way to experiment with the art of layering print. For a fresh, seasonal pink and blue interior, we’ve used a combination of the Florentine collection’s hero Santa Croce print, with our Finestra and Piazza designs. We have interspersed this scheme with our Trellis Velvet Embroidered Cushions, these plain cushions in a bold, block colour are a great tool for breaking up print and creating a more balanced scheme. Choose two or three complementary colours in varying tones to ensure the scheme looks considered and calm, without feeling busy. Layer in coordinating textiles such as throws and rugs for added layers of interest, and warmth!