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Bringing Nature Indoors: An Interview with Hope Wyatt of By Hope
Discover the inspiration behind 'By Hope' as founder Hope Wyatt shares her journey of turning garden botanicals into beautiful, hand-painted homewares. In this exclusive chat, learn how she translates her love for nature into vibrant, sustainably crafted linens designed to bring the beauty of the outdoors into your home.
By Flora Vestey
How do you translate the fleeting, nostalgic feeling of a British summer afternoon into a static textile print?
At By Hope, every collection is rooted in the seasons. We always try to release our new linens just as those flowers, fruits or plants are naturally appearing, whether that's strawberries in summer or tulips in spring. It helps capture that fleeting feeling of the season and brings it to your table.
You love pairing vibrant Nasturtium orange with soft cream. What's your favourite "rules-are-meant-to-be broken" colour clash for a summer setting?
I also love green and pink together…you really can't go wrong with that combination. Our Tulip Sage and Blush linens create that fresh, romantic feel, and our sell-out Eden Stripe, which will be returning soon.
For a last-minute outdoor gathering, what is your ultimate styling cheat-code to make a table look intentionally curated in minutes?
Our linens are designed to make hosting feel effortless. They're already covered in flowers and blooms, so they instantly create impact and do most of the decorating for you. Then I'd simply gather a handful of bud vases from around the house, fill them with whatever is growing in the garden or hedgerows, and scatter them down the centre of the table. Add a few colourful candles and suddenly it will come together. Keep it simple and let your table linen do the talking!
How do you transition the exact same linen tablecloth from a messy, hands-on backyard pizza night to a sophisticated candlelit dinner?
I'm a firm believer in using the things you love every day rather than saving them for best. Our linens are designed to be lived with, they're machine washable at 40 degrees, so they can absolutely survive pizza, pasta sauce and the odd splash of red wine. For a relaxed pizza night I'd keep everything casual with mismatched plates and lots of sharing dishes. Then, for an evening dinner party, it's simply a case of adding candles, beautiful glassware and fresh flowers. The same tablecloth works perfectly for both.
Since foraging is central to your process, what is an unexpected garden find or common "weed" that actually looks incredibly high-end on a summer table?
Cow parsley or wild carrot are probably my favourites. They grow wild in hedgerows and have such a delicate, airy quality that instantly makes a table feel abundant. They add lovely height without overwhelming the setting and pairs beautifully with garden flowers. I think some of the most beautiful tables are made with things you've picked on a walk rather than expensive bouquets from a florist.
Summer entertaining moves fluidly. How do you layer your linens and cushions to seamlessly bridge the gap between the indoor dining room and the garden?
I like to blur the line between indoors and out, our By Hope moto is “Bring The Outside In”. Linen is perfect because it feels relaxed both inside and outside. I think it is more fun to layer different patterns and textures to create a space that feels collected over time rather than perfectly matched.
Because your prints are hand-painted artwork, how do you layer plates and glassware without making the table look overcrowded or clashing with the textile?
I love mixing textures… Rattan placemats, wooden-handled cutlery, coloured glassware and simple glass bud vases all add interest without distracting from the print. I usually keep crockery fairly neutral and let the tablecloth be the hero. However… 'too much' is never a bad thing, there's something amazing about a table that's full of colour, flowers and your favourite dishes.
Beyond the linens, what sensory elements—music, lighting or drinks—are essential to capturing the perfect "By Hope" summer twilight atmosphere?
Lighting is everything, never the big light! Use candlelight and table lamps to give a warm glow, battery operated/rechargeable lamps are so handy to use on a table. A great playlist helps set the mood without taking over the conversation, and of course being welcomed with a delicious cold drink!
Sustainability is at your core. How can design-conscious hosts throw a luxurious summer dinner party without the environmental hangover?
The simplest way is to buy seasonally and locally wherever you can. We recently launched our Veg Patch table linen with Marla Primrose, and we styled the table using fresh vegetables that became both the decoration and the meal. I love that idea of a zero-waste tablescape where everything has a purpose. Investing in beautiful reusable linens rather than disposable decorations also means you can create something special again and again for years to come.
As a designer with a keen eye, what is one summer tablescape trend dominating social media right now that you secretly hope fades away by the time autumn arrives?
I think sometimes social media can make tablescaping feel a little overcomplicated, with styling becoming more important than actually sitting down and enjoying the meal. A beautiful table should invite people to linger not make them worry about moving a plate out of place.
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