In 1823, a British ropemaker moved to New York and opened a company that eventually became the prestigious fabric and furnishings brand known as Lee Jofa, now a part of the Kravet group. While Lee Jofa has evolved over the last 200 years, its ethos remains rooted in the past. Stephen Elrod, executive vice president and creative director of Lee Jofa and sister brand Brunschwig & Fils, explains, “While we stay connected to our traditional English roots, we are willing to adapt with the times, especially in terms of color. Archival textiles will always be at the core of our design process, but we look to fine art, fashion, and global shifts in trend and culture to keep our collections fresh and tuned into the market.”
When creating the 200th anniversary collection, the team at Lee Jofa embraced the concept of a museum retrospective, curating archival designs that showcase the best of the brand’s long history. The collection includes recolored classics with abundant floral and botanical motifs, along with 16 signature patterns rich with story but still relevant to today’s design professionals. “We didn’t want to just re-create the archives,” says Stephen. “We wanted to revitalize and refresh these patterns so they will live on for many more years.”
The fabric o fferings include Lee Jofa’s artisanal hand-printed patterns, as well as new interpretations of centuries-old tapestries, while the furniture collection features an English antique-inspired lyre chair and a fully upholstered English arm sofa, among other pieces. The sophisticated floorcoverings showcase the brand’s iconic wovens, velvets, and textures, providing a foundation for the anniversary fabrics, furniture, and accessories. “The 200 collection is full of memorable designs that hold a room,” Stephen says. “They become the inspiration for everything around them.”
By Alice Welsh Doyle
Photography Courtesy of Lee Jofa