Bringing the Winter Garden to Life: Zoffany x Michael S. Smith

26 May 2026

There is a distinct magic that happens when design history repeats itself. Not as a faded carbon copy, but as something entirely revitalised. For the launch of Zoffany’s debut indoor outdoor fabrics collection, celebrated American interior designer Michael S. Smith did something wonderfully audacious. Instead of a standard lifestyle presentation, he staged a living, breathing editorial campaign that steps directly into design folklore, capturing the harmony between heritage architecture and performance-led textile design.

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A Nod to Cecil Beaton

The setting for the campaign was none other than the legendary Winter Garden, once belonging to the iconic tastemaker and photographer Cecil Beaton. To bring this cascading, light-filled glasshouse to life, Smith enlisted the inimitable Hamish Bowles — fashion journalist, interiors authority, and a man who embodies British eccentric elegance.

But the true scene-stealer? A charming pug named Stella, making her official modelling debut.

If this tableau feels familiar, that is entirely by design. The campaign beautifully recreates a famous 1960s photograph of Beaton himself alongside his beloved pug, Simba, in the exact same verdant surroundings. By draping the collection’s vibrant textiles from the glasshouse ceiling and wrapping them around meticulously curated furniture, the campaign bridges the gap between mid-century society and contemporary outdoor living.

“Coordination is everything. In interiors, you want an aesthetic that’s grounded and is reflective of the surroundings. We used colours that sit beautifully inside and look beautiful in outdoor light, anywhere in the world.” — Michael S. Smith

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Archival Soul Meets Modern Performance

Historically, choosing fabrics for a terrace, orangery, or garden has meant compromising on texture and soul in favour of durability. Smith’s partnership with Zoffany completely rewrites that narrative.

By delving deep into Zoffany’s revered archive, Smith hand-selected original documents, ranging from exquisite French chintz to delicate Japanese silks, to use as blueprints. The resulting designs encompass stripes, plains, and rich florals, all deliberately retaining unexpected details like print marks and ink bleeds for a beautifully authentic, vintage patina.

Yet, despite their delicate, storied appearance, these fabrics are engineered for modern life. Woven from performance-led materials chosen specifically for their luxurious handle and finish, they transition seamlessly from a sun-drenched sitting room to an exposed outdoor terrace.

Whether you are looking to layer rich florals in a heritage country home or introduce tailored stripes to a contemporary urban courtyard, this collection offers a masterclass in effortlessly coordinated styling.