Stalen bespanningsstof naar ontwerp van Theo Nieuwenhuis in passe-partout c. 1910

This is a sample card of woven textiles designed by Theo Nieuwenhuis. The patterns are mostly floral and botanical, and the colours are earthy and muted, like faded tapestries. I’m really drawn to the way the designs are so detailed but feel kind of casual too. When I look at the bottom left panel, it reminds me of how sometimes you stumble upon these hidden, almost overgrown patterns in nature. See how the dark green makes the lighter green pop. It feels dense and lush, like looking through a forest canopy. The card as a whole feels like a conversation, and reminds me a bit of William Morris. Like Morris, Nieuwenhuis was part of the Arts and Crafts movement. Both artists were fascinated by nature, and both of them wanted to bring beauty and craftsmanship into everyday life. What Nieuwenhuis does differently here, is to show the various options to the buyer, the possibilities for their home.