Babylonstoren Blankets A/W ’24
The Babylonstoren Autumn/Winter 2024 blanket range was developed and designed exclusively for the farm. The collection, comprising three plain patterned throws, a uniquely crafted boiled wool blanket, a still life composition and themed children’s blanket (accompanied by a soft toy), invites the warmth and wonder of the farm into your home.
The Babel Structure designs (The Treillage, Puff Adder and Garden throws) offers monochromatic designs inspired by the farm’s iconic structures. Its patterns are not just a visual representation but a tactile souvenir that embodies the memory of exploring the gardens.
I. The Treillage Throw reflects the art of trompe-l’œil treillages, with a design that simulates three-dimensional appearances on a singular plane. This blanket, rendered in a distinct shade of green, captures the elegance of trellis work and the timeless beauty of this ancient art form.
II. The Puff Adder Throw, mirrors the serpentine wooden walkway meandering through the farm’s garden. This blanket captures the essence of the garden’s natural beauty, echoing the warm, sandy tones of the landscape and the dynamic interplay of light and shadow through the slats of the walkway.
III. The Garden Throw is inspired by the breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Babylonstoren garden, offering a design that reflects the garden’s beauty from above and the intimate experience of meandering through its diverse paths.
IV. The Farm Still Life Throw draws inspiration from classic still life compositions, featuring elements reminiscent of farm life. This design includes a Delft plate, a clay vessel and citrus fruits with the iconic Babylonstoren bird making an appearance.
V. The Babylonstoren Blooms blanket, draws inspiration from the vibrant Chrysanthemum flowers grown on the farm. The use of boiled wool in its construction not only gives the flowers a lifelike, blooming effect but also provides a tactile experience that mirrors the farm’s floral beauty.
VI. Completing the collection is The Pekin Duck blanket and soft toy set, capturing the serene morning ambiance of the farm with over two hundred pristine white ducks. This set not only offers comfort and warmth but also brings the simple joys of farm life and adventure into the nursery, nurturing a child’s imagination and connection to the natural world.
THE GARDEN STRUCTURES
I.
The Treillage.
The Treillage throw draws its inspiration from the captivating art of trompe-l’œil treillages to be seen in the Garden shop. A design that cleverly employs optical illusions to simulate three-dimensional appearances on a singular plane. This art form traces its roots back to the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome, where it was predominantly featured in murals, with some of the most exquisite examples discovered in the ruins of Pompeii. The technique experienced a resurgence in 18th century France, where artisans crafted wooden trellis works, known as “Treillages”, that adorned walls and elevated them into works of art. Classic Garden Elements has since embraced this tradition, offering a collection of Treillages-style wall trellises constructed from steel.
II.
The Puff Adder.
The Puff Adder throw was inspired by the captivating wooden structure that gracefully meanders through the garden of Babylonstoren Farm.
Named ‘The Puff Adder’ for its serpentine form, this pathway extends for 70 meters, tracing a stream that originates in the Simonsberg. It winds its way through an array of wild olives and blue gum trees, embodying the essence of our garden’s natural beauty. The blanket’s design mirrors the organic contours observed in the walkway, capturing how light and shadow play through the slats to create a dynamic interplay of movement and curvature.
Echoing the garden’s natural palette, the blanket’s hue is carefully chosen to reflect the warm, sandy tones that are a hallmark of the garden.
III.
The Garden.
The Babylonstoren garden presents a breathtaking tableau from a bird’s-eye perspective.
However, its beauty is most intimately experienced on foot, as visitors meander along diverse paths, each discovering their journey through this unique landscape. The Garden throw embodies a multi-layered experience, equally mesmerising from above as it is from within, cherished by all who traverse its grounds.
IV.
The Farm Still life.
The Farm Still Life throw draws inspiration from classic still life compositions, featuring elements reminiscent of farm life. This design includes a Delft plate, clay vessels, and citrus fruits, with the iconic Babylonstoren bird making an appearance.
V.
The Chrysanthemum blanket.
Drawing from the textures and shapes of the Chrysanthemum flowers grown on the farm, the design captures the essence of these large blooms and their lush textures.
Woven in premium wool, the boiled material technique gives the flowers a raised, blooming effect, allowing them to emerge from the surface. This technique brings a tactile and visual representation of the farm’s floral beauty.
VI.
The Pekin Duck Blanket & Toy.
The Pekin Duck set captures the essence of a serene morning on the farm, where over two hundred pristine white ducks embark on their daily journey from the pen in the formal garden to the lush orchards and vineyards. Accompanying the blanket is a knitted soft toy, meticulously crafted to bring the farm’s feathered friends to life. Together, the baby blanket and soft toy set not only offers comfort and warmth but also a touch of adventure and the simple joys of farm life.
Photo credit: Babylonstoren