Marian Pepler facts for kids
Marian Pepler (born August 24, 1904 – died October 13, 1997) was a talented British architect and textile designer. She was especially known for creating beautiful carpets and rugs. Marian designed over 90 unique rugs, many of which had their own special names. She was also a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Quick facts for kids
Marian Pepler
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| Born | 24 August 1904 Sanderstead, Surrey
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| Died | 13 October 1997 (aged 93) Eynsham, Oxfordshire
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| Nationality | British |
| Education | Croydon School of Art, Froebel Institute, London School of Weaving, Architectural Association Schools |
| Known for | Architect and Textile Design |
| Spouse(s) | R. D. Russell |
Contents
Early Life and Family
Marian Pepler was born in Sanderstead, Surrey, England. Her father, George Lionel Pepler, was an architect who later became a famous town planner. Her aunt, Hilary Pepler, started the Ditchling Press.
Marian grew up in a family that believed in the importance of good design. They also loved the countryside. This love for nature inspired the natural, earthy colors she used in her rug designs.
Education and Training
Marian started her art studies at Croydon School of Art from 1922 to 1923. After that, she spent a year at the Froebel Institute in Roehampton, training to be a teacher.
In 1924, her father suggested she join the Architectural Association schools. She went there to learn how to make models. But Marian became so interested in architecture that she decided to stay and become a qualified architect. She finished her studies in 1929. Marian was one of the few women at the Architectural Association who strongly wanted to work as a designer.
In 1930, Marian took a short course at the London School of Weaving. There, she learned how to prepare a loom and weave a rug.
Designing a Career
In 1930, Marian designed her very first rug, called "Snowshill." It featured a pattern of interlocking rectangles with lines of dots and crosses. Color was extremely important to Marian. She believed that color was "more than half the design." She even visited the companies that made her rugs to ensure the dyes were perfectly matched.
Working with Wilton Royal
During the 1930s, Marian worked with a company called Wilton Royal. Usually, they paid her a small fee for each rug sold, and she kept the rights to her designs. These rugs were mostly made for Gordon Russell Ltd. Sometimes, she would sell the design rights completely to Wilton Royal, meaning she wouldn't get ongoing fees.
The Gordon Russell company often used Marian's designs in their building interiors. For a short time, from 1933 to 1935, she worked as a buyer for their London shop. She bought fabrics and also other items like ceramics and glass. When she became ill, she had to stop this role. Later, she became a consultant for Gordon Russell, giving advice on furnishings and especially on colors.
Marian's Design Style
Marian Pepler's rugs were known for their soft, earthy colors and simple, abstract patterns. In the early 1930s, she mainly used fawn and brown shades. Later, she added blue, green, and yellow. For example, her 1932 rug "Aquamarine" had wavy lines and circles. It used a subtle mix of aquamarine, yellow, raisin brown, and natural colors.
Marian's goal was for a rug to bring all the parts of a room together. She believed that calm, restrained colors did this best. Her background in architecture influenced this approach. In 1947, Marian was recognized for her skills and became a fellow of the Society of Industrial Artists. She continued to design, focusing more and more on carpets. After World War II, she designed rugs for the inside of the ship "Oriana" in the mid-1950s.
Marian and her husband, R. D. Russell, both had similar design goals. Their work was of very high quality. An exhibition of their work in 1983 showed many people how talented Marian truly was. They both helped create a unique British style of modern design in the middle of the century.
Personal Life
Marian met her husband, R D Russell, while they were both studying architecture at the Architectural Association schools. They got married on December 1, 1933. They moved to London and lived in Hanover Terrace Mews.
Death
Marian Pepler passed away on October 13, 1997, in Eynsham, Oxfordshire.
