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The Suketchi II Collection

“If there were no cherry blossoms in this world, how much more tranquil our hearts would be in spring.”
Ariwara no Narihira, 10th-century poet

Beautifully soft, nuanced, and understated shades bring a new depth to our much-loved Suketchi Collection, first released in 2017. This new, more refined palette echoes the washy paper-like quality of the original artwork, each colourway chosen to enhance the collection’s sense of stillness or quiet strength.

Suketchi (meaning ‘sketches’ in Japanese) is a collection of wallpaper and fabrics that captures the fleeting moods of nature through expressive washes of colour and simple motifs. Originally inspired by Ukiyo-e (‘pictures of the floating world’) - a 17th-century Japanese printing and painting movement - each design evokes a moment in nature: stormy seas, drifting clouds, starlit skies. The result is a series of quietly dramatic designs, full of movement, calm, and atmosphere.

Every design was painted as a fluid wash of ink, applied in one sweep. The motifs—clouds, cranes, blossoms, or rain—are left unpainted, ‘cut’ from the colour in the tradition of woodblock printing. Watch the full behind-the-scenes video of our Suketchi II Collection Colour Refresh Story on YouTube.

Gentle patterns in the collection include HALCYON, where soft, washed-out skies and curling clouds drift through the early morning light or the golden glow of an evening. SUNLIT captures the warmth and tranquillity of sunlight filtering through a canopy of cherry blossoms, and STARLIT reveals a night sky scattered with stars and three white cranes silhouetted in moonlight - symbols of hope and good fortune.

Dynamic patterns in the collection carry a bold, expressive energy. CLOUDBURST evokes the rhythm of rain streaking down a windowpane, its broken stripes capturing both the intensity and release of a sudden downpour. WINDSWEPT is all movement and momentum—slashing brushstrokes that channel the rush of wind through open fields. TEMPEST, with its sweeping waves and watery textures, captures the power and unpredictability of the sea, a design that says ‘hold strong and lean into the storm’.

With this refresh, we’ve also introduced half-scale versions of all six patterns on our printed linen. The smaller repeat offers a more intimate scale for soft furnishings—ideal for cushions, lampshades, and smaller upholstered pieces—without losing the impact of the original artwork. The wallpapers, meanwhile, retain their large-scale format, preserving the expansive, immersive quality that defines them.

SUNLIT

SUNLIT is inspired by the dreamy sensation of sunlight viewed through blossoms. It is optimistic and references the temporal beauty of nature.

STARLIT

STARLIT draws our gaze away from the difficulties of life to the greater world around us. The crane is a potent symbol of happiness, good fortune and healing in Asia and particularly in Japan.

CLOUDBURST

CLOUDBURST is a sudden and heavy downpour. There are times when a drenching feels immediately satisfying. Cloudburst is a simple, textural layered wash of colour.

WINDSWEPT

WINDSWEPT is the rush of wind clearing the air and sweeping through the glade. Windswept is a pattern of freshness and energy. A pattern depicting ebb and flow is a Japanese symbol for tactical strength and ability.

TEMPEST

TEMPEST is a commotion, a tumult, a storm at sea. Inspired by the iconic woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, Tempest is a swaggering dynamic pattern that embraces the rush of letting go, giving in to the storm.

HALCYON

HALCYON is the calmness and quiet of a bright sunny day. The gentle sky following a storm. Clouds are a symbol of elegance in Japanese culture and often depicted with beautiful swirly curls.

WATCH THE COLLECTION STORY