Good Morning Lacquered Lifers. Happy Friday. If you’re anything like me you have been swooning over the cover of Veranda Magazine and have been completely inspired by those velvet walls. There are definitely velvet walls in my future. However, in typical fashion, the piece that jumped out at my was the chintz. You have heard about my love of Schumacher’s Hollyhock Chintz, and I’m pretty sure I have mentioned my appreciation for Colefax & Fowler’s Bowood Chintz, but today I want to share a little more about the origin of this ever-so-chic chintz, which as you can tell from the photos above can look good in both casual and formal settings. 
Bowood Chintz, named for the house, is a reinterpretation of a 19th century fabric that John Fowler saw at the house during the middle of the 20th century. This fabric has been in production ever since, and is considered one of Colefax & Fowler’s classic prints. Bowood Chintz was “discovered” by John Fowler inside Bowood House. Located in Wiltshire, Bowood House has been the home of the Landsdowne family since the 18th century, and is currently occupied by the 9th Marquis and Marchioness of Landsdowne. The original house was built on the site in 1725, and underwent consistent alterations throughout the remaining part of the 18th century. This is Bowood House as it looked in 1905. During World War I, the Marquess operated a Red Cross auxiliary hospital in the orangery, and during World War II the house served as a school and as a headquarters for the Royal Air Force. After the War, the “big house” (seen here on the far right) was in severe disrepair. It was demolished in 1955, and the “little house” (seen here to the left) was renovated to accommodate the Marquess.This is Bowood House as it looks today. Parts of the house and the gardens are open to the public during certain times of year. For more information on visiting Bowood’s House and gardens visit their website.