In freshwater environments around the world, water hyacinth drifts across the surface in dense clusters. With its soft violet bloom and glossy green leaves, it was once prized as an ornamental plant, carried far beyond its native Amazon.

But outside of that ecosystem, balance is lost.

Without its natural predators, water hyacinth grows unchecked, doubling in size in as little as two weeks. What begins as a scattering of plants can quickly become thick, interwoven mats that blanket entire waterways, blocking sunlight, depleting oxygen, and, in some cases, halting the flow of water altogether.

To restore these environments, the plant must be removed.

Harvesting and Transformation

Water hyacinth is gathered directly from the water, often by hand. Once collected, the plant is stripped back to its essential form, revealing its long, buoyant stalks.

Laid out beneath the sun, the stalks slowly release their moisture over several days. They shrink, lighten, and take on a warm, natural tone transformed by time and air into a durable fiber.

Once dried, the material is sorted and prepared. Some strands remain whole, preserving their rounded structure; others are split or flattened, offering a softer, more pliable quality. Each carries subtle variations in tone and texture, marks of its origin.

In the Hands of Artisans

There is no true uniformity in water hyacinth.

Each strand holds its own rhythm, its own irregularity. Rather than impose consistency, artisans work with these nuances, placing, weaving, and arranging the fibers in a way that allows the material to speak.

The result is a surface with quiet movement. Textural. Layered. Alive with variation.

A reflection of water, sun, and hand.

From Fiber to Form

Today, water hyacinth finds expression across several Hartmann&Forbes designs.

In WL430-12 Vale – Winding Path Natural Wallcovering, each strand is hand-placed to create a composition of subtle irregularity and flow, recalling the gentle meander of a valley trail.

In our Woven-to-Size Grassweave windowcoverings, such as LE4642 Groove or LE6109 Creel, water hyacinth lends warmth and organic texture, softly interacting with light.

In this way, the material continues its journey, a return to balance within waterways and the spaces we create.

DISCOVER MORE DESIGNS

Cotton is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. Yet conventional cotton production can be highly chemical-intensive, impacting air, water, soil, and climate, while posing exposure risks for farm workers and surrounding communities.

Organic cotton offers a more responsible path forward. Grown without toxic or persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically engineered seeds (GMOs), it supports healthier soil, biodiversity, and agricultural systems designed to work in harmony with nature. Organic farming practices can also dramatically reduce water consumption — by as much as 91% — in part because organic cotton is often rain-fed, and organically managed soils retain water more effectively. These choices at the field level ripple outward, influencing the integrity of every finished textile.

Guided by natural materials and responsible craftsmanship, Hartmann&Forbes continues to advance sustainability through thoughtful product innovations. As part of this commitment, we are introducing an Organic Translucent Liner, woven from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and free from harmful chemicals. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the leading certification for textiles made from organic fibers, setting rigorous environmental and social criteria across the entire supply chain, from fiber processing to finished product, while restricting the use of hazardous substances along the way.

Designed for softness and breathability, this translucent liner provides balanced light control and added privacy when hand-stitched to the back of a Roman shade. It gently diffuses daylight while preserving a clean, neutral appearance from the exterior. Available in Soft White (OTR01) and Linen (OTR02), it offers a thoughtful, sustainable option without compromising performance or aesthetics.

ORGANIC TRANSLUCENT LINER

This spring, H&F STUDIO presents Meandering Wilderness, a collection shaped by the quiet rhythm of the forest and the poetry found in its stillness. Rooted in craftsmanship and reverence for the natural world, the collection unfolds as a tactile landscape of light, texture, and material.

Each handwoven shade, artisanal wallcovering, and refined textile captures nature’s splendor, from the subtle elegance of misty mornings and the velvety depth of lush moss to the whispered cadence of leaves beneath your feet. Together, they create interiors that feel grounded, contemplative, and enduring.

“The forest reminds us to slow down, to listen, to see beauty in stillness,” shares Rebecca Welch, Design Director. “With this collection, we sought to translate that feeling through the play of shadow and light and the weave’s natural rhythm, creating designs that layer beautifully and bring sanctuary to the home.”

The palette is drawn from the forest’s most reflective moments. Velvety greens, mossy browns, soft grays, and earthy neutrals come together in effortless harmony, creating a calm foundation that feels both timeless and deeply connected to nature.

Nature, Rendered in Texture

Two new Woven-to-Size Grassweave designs, Tendril and Birdsong, introduce organic movement and dimensional light. Natural fibers such as vetiver roots, banana fiber, and softly textured cotton are handwoven into airy, nuanced weaves that create surfaces at once grounded and fluid, allowing light to drift gently through. Each design is handwoven up to 180” wide, honoring the integrity of the material and the artisan’s hand.

A Study in Composure

Inspired by the stillness found deep within the forest, our new Woven-to-Size Papyrusweave design, Reverie, is a study in composure. Papyrus and arrowroot are woven in measured alternation to create a smooth, composed surface that diffuses light into a soft, tranquil presence. The effect is subtle and calming, an atmosphere shaped by restraint and balance.

Heritage in Every Thread

True comfort is found in the experience. Three new Soft Natural Fabric designs, Stria, Parterre, and Liscio, are woven in small, old-world mills where generations of tradition guide every thread. With a focus on breathability, tactile softness, and the nuance of artisan craftsmanship, these textiles offer a relaxed yet refined sense of luxury. 

Woven entirely by hand on wooden looms, Honeycomb represents artistry with intention. Each shade is woven to order, creating only what is needed. It is a process that honors the unhurried rhythm of the artisan and preserves the resources of the natural world.

Grounded Backdrops

The Vale Natural Wallcovering series captures the textures encountered along a winding path. Like the forest floor or a hidden ridge, these three statement wallcoverings offer a grounded backdrop of organic depth. Handcrafted from water hyacinth, seagrass, and banana stem, these statement wallcoverings bring the raw, tactile presence of the wilderness into the vertical plane.

Refined Performance

Completing the collection is ECO 106, a translucent Performance Fabric defined by its evenly woven structure and softly heathered coloration. Crafted from non-toxic fibers and certified to Oeko-Tex^® Standard 100, these rollershades pair refined function with understated beauty, layering effortlessly with natural woven shades.

Meandering Wilderness reflects nature’s unhurried rhythm—layered, tactile, and quietly expressive. It is a collection shaped by stillness and intention, bringing a sense of calm connection to the spaces we inhabit.

NEW CREATIONS

We are delighted to unveil new international partner showrooms, marking a thoughtful expansion of the Hartmann&Forbes presence into two of the world’s most influential design capitals — London and Paris.

London, England | Valley & Laurel, Chelsea Harbour
In the design heart of Chelsea Harbour, our London partner showroom, Valley & Laurel, offers a serene space to experience the artistry of our natural collections. We welcome you to explore the textures, tones, and handwoven beauty of Hartmann&Forbes in an environment designed for quiet inspiration and thoughtful collaboration. By appointment only. Grand opening – March 2026.

Paris, France | Ido Diffusion, 10 rue du Bac, 75007
Set within a storied quarter on the Left Bank, our Paris partner galerie invites discovery in a space defined by refinement and intimacy. By appointment only, this private destination offers an immersive way to experience our weaves, guided with care and expertise by your Hartmann&Forbes representative.

These new international locations reflect our ongoing commitment to craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and supporting the global design community, bringing Sanctuary, by nature, to designers around the world.