INSIDE THE HOUSE OF COLE & SON
1875
FOUNDED BY JOHN PERRY IN NORTH LONDON
In a vibrant hub of more than 190 block printing companies active during the 18th and 19th centuries, John Perry, son of a Cambridgeshire merchant began carving a name out for himself
1883
John Perry builds and opens a wallpaper factory in Offord Road, Islington London
Perry, with discerning taste and innovative foresight starts to harness the power of industry to complement traditional woodblock printing methods prevalent at the time
A new century
1900
Perry begins to revive hand flock wallpaper
This was a process imitating cut velvet originating in Holland in the late 17th century. It provided a more purse-friendly version of the wallhangings en vogue with the aristocracy
1910
John Perry develops a range of techniques including pan coating, used to create deep, rich, tactile stripes and strié prints.
Perhaps Perry’s most notable contribution to the wallpaper industry was the creation of a process to imitate silk.
Using a solution of ground mica, he was able to develop a lustre-like silk effect on the paper which is still used today
1941
A.P. Cole, proprietor of Cole & Son (Wallpapers) Ltd, purchases Perry's company
This includes some 2000 wooden wallpaper printing blocks acquired by Perry from neighbouring firms as they closed down over the course of the previous 60 years.
The company now exhibits the best in quality wallpaper manufacture from showrooms on aristocratic Mortimer Street in central London
1948
Always embracing innovation
Cole & Son creates one of the first screen print studios in Europe
1950-1960
Cole & Son go to market with some of the most iconic wallpaper prints of the Contemporary design movement
These include the perennially popular contemporary classics Woods and Palm Leaves
1961
Cole & Son is granted a Royal Warrant as a supplier of wallpaper to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Partners in Style
2000-2010
Cole & Son designs exquisite collaboration collections with international luxury design houses
Italian atelier Fornasetti and South African ceramicists Ardmore.
2019
Cole & Son launches its first fabric collection, The Contemporary Collection – Fabrics
A selection of some of the design house’s best-loved designs in a range of luxurious textiles
TODAY
With a commitment and passion for design excellence, Cole & Son's in-house artists continue to produce innovative and beautiful wallpapers
Current collections reflect a long and distinguished history as well as a continuing passion for artistic design and quality craftsmanship