Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious

Mylands is delighted to support the first major exhibition devoted to British artist and designer Tirzah Garwood, held at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Launched on 19th November, it has drawn impressive reviews, with Garwood taking the spotlight in a show that reveals the full extent of her talent and output.

Mylands colours adorn the exhibition, Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious, at Dulwich Picture Gallery. In autumn 2024, ten years after its critically acclaimed Ravilious show, the gallery welcomes guest curator James Russell to present the first major exhibition devoted to British artist and designer Tirzah Garwood (1908–1951). Known for her autobiography Long Live Great Bardfield and as the wife of Eric Ravilious (1903–1942), Garwood excelled as a fine artist and printmaker, and this is the first time the full extent of her output is shown, giving her captivating works the critical examination and public showcase they deserve as gems of the mid-20th century.

Against a backdrop of both subtle and striking Mylands colours, the retrospective offers a rare chance to view more than eighty of Garwood's works, including most of her existing oil paintings, almost exclusively from private collections. It introduces an artist whose creativity flourished in the face of adversity, unveiling her 'sophisticated naïve' approach that infused apparently innocent or straightforward subjects with deeper meaning.

The exhibition presents a series of Garwood's experimental marbled papers, ordered by publishers, interior design shops and private clients; juggling motherhood and her creative practice, she pioneered a distinctive decorative style, layering delicate repeat patterns into harmonious designs unlike anything else being made in Europe. Representing all areas of her practice, it also includes her tender pencil sketches of her children John, James and Anne from this period.

To complement these beautiful works, Mylands supplied exquisite colours from subtle blush pinks and natural greens to a dramatic deep red. Discover the palette below and how to bring these colours into your own interiors.

Decorate your projects with the dedicated Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious palette.

Pale Lilac™ No.246:

a delicate, versatile and elegant shade combining soft lilac and muted pink with subtle grey undertones, an excellent choice for tranquil, welcoming interiors. Its gentle, dusty lilac quality evokes serenity, making it well suited to spaces where relaxation is key, such as bedrooms or living areas, while the grey undertones add sophisticated balance, preventing it from becoming overly sweet and keeping it fresh, modern and versatile enough to harmonise with traditional and contemporary styles alike.

It creates a soothing monochromatic look with other pastels or muted tones, or can be offset with darker accents like charcoal grey, deep plum or navy for more dramatic contrast. In entryways it introduces an inviting warmth while keeping a light, airy feel, especially with white or cream trim, and it works beautifully in nurseries, adding a delicate charm that feels calm and nurturing without being overly childish. For more formal spaces, its subtle elegance brings refinement, especially with polished finishes or metallic accents like FTT-001™ Rich Gold or FTT-003™ Pale Bronze.

Greenstone™ No.190:

a timeless sage green embodying tranquillity and sophistication, its soft, muted tone versatile across traditional and contemporary interiors. Evoking calm and a connection to nature, it's perfect for serene, inviting environments, working especially well where balance and comfort are key; in living rooms its gentle hue complements natural materials like wood and stone for an organic aesthetic, in bedrooms it creates a restful backdrop with neutrals like crisp white, soft beige or creamy grey, and in bathrooms or kitchens its understated elegance can be enhanced with metallics such as brushed gold or matte black for a modern twist.

Its versatility extends to colour compatibility, so pair it with fresh whites like Maugham White™ No.2 for a crisp contrast, or with other greens like Chester Square™ No.199 for a layered, natural look, and for a bolder statement add soft pinks or sky blues to highlight its subtle vibrancy. SHOP.

Bloomsbury™ No.267:

a dusty pink of timeless elegance, inspired by the artistic heritage of London's Bloomsbury district, blending gentle warmth with understated charm and evoking the refined interiors of Georgian and Edwardian homes.

Its muted, vintage quality makes it ideal for spaces seeking a serene yet luxurious ambience, working beautifully as a feature wall, subtle yet eye-catching; paired with neutrals like Pure White™ No.1 or Maugham White™ No.2 it creates a light, airy feel, while for a bolder look it pairs wonderfully with deep greens, earthy browns or charcoal accents for contrast and depth, its adaptability suiting bedrooms, living spaces, and even kitchens and dining areas for an inviting, relaxed atmosphere. SHOP.

a rich, deep red infused with warm undertones of orange, yellow and subtle magenta, making it intensely dramatic yet inviting.

Named after the street in West Norwood, London, where Mylands has been headquartered for over a century, it embodies the brand's deep connection to its heritage and craftsmanship, and its complexity adapts beautifully to various styles: on walls it creates a bold, cocooning effect, perfect for warmth and intimacy in dining rooms, libraries or sitting areas, while as a striking accent on doors, trims or cabinetry it pairs effortlessly with neutrals or complementary greens and blues for added depth and character. SHOP.