Design Story | Inspiration & Fabric Design Process

Design Story | Amazon Trip by Becca Who

British Designer, Becca Who, creates Statement Fabrics, Luxury Wallpapers and Accessories for Expressive Interiors and Creative Upholstery

Becca Who is a British Designer whose dramatic and opulent style is loved by those who enjoy highly decorative, original design. Hand drawn details and painterly strokes, along with a passion for rich colour palettes and touches of the unexpected, effect a visual alchemy on luxurious textiles.

The Amazon Trip design is available on velvet fabric in four rich colour ways, for a bold, sumptuous furnishing fabric.

Read on for insights from Becca Who, into the creative inspirations and design process behind the Amazon Trip Velvet Fabric.

A Journey into the Vibrant World of the Amazon

Having designed Amazon Trip and enjoyed seeing many amazing results of this fabric in use, I wanted to share the creative journey of bringing this vibrant and adventurous velvet to life.

My aim with the Amazon Trip design is to invite you to immerse yourself in the otherworldly beauty of the Amazon jungle. There’s something deeply mystical about the Amazon, almost as if the sheer density of life creates an atmosphere of heightened imagination, a place where the senses are awakened by the vibrancy of the natural world.

Amazon Trip is a tribute to the vibrant and diverse ecosystem of the Amazon jungle, capturing the essence of the extraordinary wildlife and lush landscapes. The design celebrates the harmony of nature, reflecting the deep connection between the land, it's creatures, and the rich tapestry of life that thrives there.

From Imagination to Fabric: The Creative Process

When planning the design elements and composition, I was inspired by the idea of journeying along the vast, winding rivers of the Amazon with a deep sense of wonder, as if immersed in a dream. The untamed nature and mesmerising landscapes of the Amazon, made for perfect inspirations where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. A dense jungle alive with mystery and a cacophony of vibrant creatures, I wanted each part of the design to offer an intriguing sense of discovery. Escapism is central to the Amazon Trip design and I wanted rich hues, bold patterns and curious details to tell a story on every part of the fabric.

I planned all of the artwork elements in rough sketch form first, in order to establish the approximate composition of the seamless pattern tile. With all of the end uses in mind, the composition is always something which I look to in the early stages of a design. Whilst I want to offer an array of creative possibilities for upholsterers - across all types of furniture - I also look to create a pattern which flows well across the lengths for curtains and blinds. A focal point needs to be of a scale on the fabric which works for a chair back, an ottoman lid or a headboard - whilst also offering imaginative potential for scatter cushions or a lampshade.

Painting Escapism and Wonder

With a plan for the composition, I then began to carefully create each element through digitally painting. The majestic Jaguar became my striking focal point, adorned with a bejewelled crown and winged features, as if it were a guardian of the jungle’s secrets. Playful monkeys perched unexpectedly, Rainbow Boas with their dazzling pattern and Macaws flying across the scene, were all ways for me to bring energy to the design. Decorative arches are symbols of entering the imaginative realm, with curved bridges of eyes bringing a hypnotic rhythm to take you one from part of the design to the next.

The unhurried artistic process brings it’s own escapism and for me is the most rewarding part of creating - allowing my imagination to wander and to weave together the real with the surreal. It’s that sense of escapism when creating that I hoped to share through the design. Adventurous and surreal, my aim was a design which speaks to the beauty and magic of the Amazon jungle, offering an imaginative escape into a world brimming with life.

I hope the Amazon Trip design does take you on something of a journey - as you enjoy the fabric, embrace adventure and bring more art into your interior!

Fabric Design Process by Textile Designer Becca Who

The Digital Painting Process Behind Amazon Trip Fabric Design

Creating the Amazon Trip artwork was a deeply immersive and rewarding part of the fabric design, made possible through the intricate process that I love - digital painting.

Every element of the design - from the majestic jaguar to the detailed foliage and vibrant birds was created using the digital canvas of a Wacom Cintiq.

Whilst I also enjoy traditional methods of creating artwork, working digitally allows for both precision and flexibility in the fabric design process. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern tools opens up a world of possibilities. It allows me to layer details, adjust colours to create the palette and then again throughout the sampling process, and to adjust elements into the best composition, ensuring that each part of the design harmonises perfectly.

From the textures of fur to delicate patterns, the digital medium allows me to create the desired depth of detail, all whilst retaining an artistic, painterly feel. Digital painting offers the ability to explore bold contrasts, intricate details, and colour combinations that make each fabric design truly unique.

Working in this way allows me to create furnishing fabrics that are visually impactful and rich with details, making them the perfect choice for statement pieces in an interior. I aim to bring the beauty of the natural world, combined with elements of surrealism and imagination, beautifully to life on fabric.

Amazon Trip Fabric | Colour Ways

Rich jewel tones and opulent hues

Developing Colour Palettes for the Fabric

I always intended to develop this fabric design into rich, dramatic colour palettes to compliment the exuberance of the artwork. Exploring various combinations, I carefully created Amazon Trip colour ways to create a distinct mood for various interior styles. Each colour way is intended to offer versatility in an interior scheme, whilst bringing your favourite hues to the fore.

The Jade Green colour way exudes natural elegance with its earthy greens, blacks, gold and warm accents, making it perfect for spaces that embrace juxtaposing textures, such as natural materials and lush plants alongside polished finishes and metallics. The addition of acid yellow to the sophisticated palette, aims to bring drama to the fabric and to offer creative possibilities for interior designers.

The Midnight Blue palette evokes a sense of night time exploration through the jungle, with deep blues reflecting the inky depths of the river, and rich rusty reds resulting in a bold, dramatic choice for statement furnishings. Always a favourite hue in interiors, blues are combined with warm hues for a beautifully striking result on the velvet.

The Violet colour way bursts with vibrant, adventurous energy, combining magenta, purple, and electric blues for a truly show stopping, decadent look. Whether chosen for accent pieces such as a footstool or ottoman - or a bold, dramatic armchair - the violet colour palette makes for an unforgettable impact in an interior.

Lastly, the Jet Black & Gold palette brings a timeless luxury, with its opulent black background and rich gold tones, ideal for sophisticated interiors that celebrate both natural elements and metallic finishes. This colour way brings the Amazon jungle to life on velvet in a timeless and luxurious way.

UK Designer of Statement Furnishing Fabric & Luxury Wallpapers, Becca Who

Thank you for taking the time to explore the Amazon Trip fabric design with me.

I hope this design inspires your creativity and offers a beautiful way to bring the magic and wonder of the Amazon into your interior.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how this fabric can work for your interior, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I look forward to helping you create something truly special.

Becca