Patchwork quilts aren’t a new thing. In fact, they’re decidedly old; first iterations go back to ancient Egyptian times and throughout the centuries they’ve been a way of weaving stories and keeping traditional crafts alive, passed down through generations.
And yet, for the last few winters, these thoughtfully-crafted blankets, sewn together from a spectrum of shapes, from stars to squares, have been at the heart of seasonal design trends, and very much in the now. Designers and homeware enthusiasts have looked to them to bring stylish layers of character and story into a space, laid across bed ends and folded over sofa backs. I’ve noticed, though, that one piece pops up again and again: Toast’s rust-hued, geometric-patterned quilted blanket.
As a design writer with a particular penchant for travel, I’m lucky enough to have visited some of the UK’s most beautiful staycations. Last winter, while poring over Bert’s Cottage in Derbyshire, the curated home of The Antique Jewellery Company’s Matt Gerrish, I noticed this particular blanket adorning one of the guest rooms – its soft, warm colour palette complementing the eye-catching Kate Hawkins’ Lucky Leaf patterned wallpaper.
Again, in Cornwall at Atlanta Trevone’s Net Loft, a unique nook bed inspired by old ship captain’s sleeping quarters is finished with the same piece. Since then, this sell-out Toast blanket seems to be everywhere I look. Georgia Spray, founder of art platform Partnership Editions, recently shared her home and there it was again, bringing pattern to her light, bright bedroom.
I’ve long been searching, unsuccessfully, for a second-hand version to add to my own home, until now. With the upcoming autumn winter season, Toast has launched a new version, riffing slightly on the crowd-pleasing style of last year.
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‘We’ve seen a growing interest in our quilts, with customers particularly drawn to the character and beauty of patchwork.’ says Judith Harris, Head of House & Home at Toast. ‘For us, quilts have always had a strong connection to heritage, craft and the human hand. Each one involves some element of handwork by skilled artisans, making every quilt individual with its own subtle variations.’
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‘More recently, we are seeing people become more confident in how they decorate their bedrooms, embracing colour and pattern and looking for bolder statement pieces that bring a sense of personality to a space. Perhaps it’s a response to the neutral tones that have dominated interiors in recent years, or simply a growing desire to create spaces with more character,’ she explains.
If the rich-hued, terracotta tones are what caught your attention, the Gable Patchwork Cotton Lightweight Bedspread honours this same colourway, while the Folk Cotton Patchwork Quilt offers a more intricate pattern, crafted entirely by hand.
Whether you snag yourself one of Toast’s new releases or opt for another quilted blanket – second-hand, vintage, or crafted by an independent – there’s no denying that these quintessential bedspreads will once again be the homeware accessory of the season.
