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Celebrating 25 Years of F&P Interiors: A Journey of Timeless Design

The year 2000 marked the beginning of an exciting era. The Millennium Dome opened its doors, a new band called Coldplay entered the charts for the first time and the iconic Nokia 3310 made its debut. Among these milestones, another pivotal event quietly took place: the launch of the F&P Interiors website, then simply known as fabricsandpapers.com.

With her three young children starting school, Emma Vans Agnew, the founder of F&P Interiors, saw an opportunity to channel her extensive industry expertise and refined sense of style into creating her own retail business. Emma’s career in interiors began at the prestigious British design house Colefax and Fowler, where she became a Senior Assistant to one of the Design Directors. During her time there, she worked on many inspiring projects, including Wiltons Restaurant, Althorp House, The Berkeley Hotel and numerous central London apartments.

Reflecting on those early days, Emma recalls:

“At times, it felt daunting to set up a website on my own—working from a converted stable in my garden and using dial-up internet, which, as you can imagine, was terribly unreliable! Many brands were sceptical about the internet back then. No one else was offering luxury fabrics and wallpapers online. But from the start, I was clear about our vision: to bring the finest designs to customers in an accessible and inspiring way.”

The initial website showcased a mix of small and large brands, including Marvic Textiles, Titley and Marr, Cole & Son and Baer & Ingram. It wasn't long before Emma and the team outgrew the stables—and even the name fabricsandpapers.com. By 2011, the business had transformed into Fabrics and Papers Ltd, relocating to dedicated offices and a showroom just outside Henfield in West Sussex.

In this new space, the company was able to showcase an expanding library of pattern books from more than 80 design houses. Additionally, Made-to-Measure services became a key aspect of the company, utilising a skilled local team to handmake curtains, blinds and soft furnishings for our global clientele.

Emma looks back on this milestone:

“It was humbling to think that our creations were dressing the interiors of incredible spaces—from family homes to iconic destinations such as The Union Jack Club, CERVO Mountain Resort, High Beeches Gardens and Superdry stores."

By 2014, the business evolved further, relocating to a larger space and rebranding as F&P Interiors to reflect the comprehensive range of services. The expanded space also showcased F&P’s growing furniture range. This collection features an array of designer sofas, armchairs, occasional chairs and footstools—each meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in the United Kingdom. Designed to meet the highest standards of quality and durability, every piece can be customised to suit personal taste and complement all types of interior style.

Known for our enthusiasm for all things creative, Lifestyle & Design, a bi-monthly online magazine, began in 2016 with a focus on aspects of beautiful, inspired living. From seasonal trends to timeless styles, we provide news on up-and-coming designers, fascinating interviews and behind-the-scenes exclusives. It’s also a celebration of culture, covering the best exhibitions and events from the South East and beyond, alongside delicious recipes, recommended reads, travel and fashion inspiration.

F&P’s Design Library now features a curated collection of more than 120 brands, including renowned UK and international design houses, alongside unique artisanal labels such as Flora Roberts, Blithfield and Långelid/Von Brömssen. Browse and shop online, where you can also order samples of your favourite designs and have them delivered to your door, worldwide.

Additionally, our friendly and knowledgeable Interior Design team are available both in person and remotely to help create a home that reflects your unique personality while maximising functionality for you and your family. Whether you’re focusing on a single-room scheme or planning a complete home redesign, the team provides expert advice tailored to your lifestyle, preferences and budget.

In January 2025, F&P Interiors celebrates 25 years since the launch of its pioneering website. Although our offering has developed and grown over the years, the passion to inspire customers to create timeless designs for their homes that they’ll cherish for years, has never changed.

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Celebrating 25 Years of F&P Interiors: A Journey of Timeless Design

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