Meghan and Harry's 'tranquil' outdoor furnishing taps into two of 2023's biggest textile trends
Experts say their decor comes with 'calming qualities' – that replicate the Mediterranean coast in their Montecito yard
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have shared a glimpse in their Montecito yard – marking their first appearance together since an award ceremony in May.
In the video, released on August 2nd, the couple surprised some recipients of the first-ever Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund grants with phone calls while sitting on a blue and white striped garden bench – that, we confess, stole some of our attention. And we weren't alone.
Textile experts have shared that there is more to Harry and Meghan's outdoor furniture than initially meets the eye – most specifically in terms of their color choices. According to Prestigious Textiles' head designer, Marie Goodwin, the blue stripes are notably 'tranquil', while tapping into not one – but two – of 2023's biggest fabric trends.
A post shared by Meghan and Harry (@_meghanandharry_)
A photo posted by on
'With its calming qualities, Blue is great for creating a tranquil and relaxing space in which to spend your summer. When paired with whites, the shade can transport you to somewhere on the Mediterranean coast,' Marie says.
Meanwhile, decorating with stripes is an interior design trend that is 'here to stay for summer' – and, thanks to Harry and Meghan's influence, we'd predict their popularity will not waver. Stripes bring order and structure to a space and have the ability to redirect the eye. When incorporated into a room scheme, they inject a dose of understated elegance and sophistication.
When it comes to recreating their look, we should opt for blue and white or cream cushions that, Marie says, are a 'subtle injection of the rising stripe trend.'
'Also, opting for softer pastel tones of stripes offers a more paired back take on the look,' she says.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
And Marie is not exclusive in her observations of blue's therapeutic qualities. Crown's color consultant echos her teaching – saying that blue taps into the 'reset' trend that 'offers a chance to wind down' in summer months.
Marie is the lead designer at Prestigious Textiles, an international fabric brand based in the UK. In her role, Marie observes trends and designs new fabrics and wallpapers that are known for both their originality and quality.
A post shared by Meghan and Harry (@_meghanandharry_)
A photo posted by on
'This trend is evocative of the most breath-taking view – used to restore equilibrium with organic naturalness. This is the new Mediterranean aesthetic with a color palette of earthy, sandy neutrals and ethereal blues to echo the natural landscape of the sand and sky.'
The calming blue-striped furnishing is, therefore, a fitting choice for the couple, who were filmed discussing the impact of cyberbullying. The video shows them contacting some of the 26 projects who received funding from the fund while raising awareness of bullying online. Meghan praised the 'enormous impact' that the charity could make on tackling the harmful aspects of social media and misinformation.
Want to shop the look? We recommend these picks below.
This antique rose-style bench is perfect for relaxing with a book in the yard. Constructed of cast iron and lightweight yet durable metal this bench is sturdy yet comfortable enough to spend hours in the sun.
To get behind the same pattern and color trend, look no further than this striped blue and white pillow cover. It's big enough to cover most garden benches and offers the same therapeutic qualities as the one in Harry and Meghan's backyard.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
Best lightweight vacuums 2024 – easy-to-carry cordless and upright vacuums that don't sacrifice on cleaning power
Of the 53 vacuum cleaners we've tested, these are the four lightweight models that can suit any home and budget
By Dan Fauzi Published
-
I found not one, but two Le Creuset holiday sales – they won't last long, so here's what I'm adding my cart tonight
Time to scoop up stocking fillers, mugs, bowls, and the ultimate holiday centerpiece
By Lydia Hayman Published