This year, we are celebrating 35 years of being disruptors in the design industry. Having initially met at The Glasgow School of Art, our Founders Alistair McAuley and Paul Simmons launched the multi-disciplinary design studio, Timorous Beasties in 1990.  

Now in our 35th year, our studio is known worldwide for its distinctive custom-made wallpapers and fabrics. With each design born as an original drawing or painting by the hand of either McAuley or Simmons, Timorous Beasties has been instrumental in the evolution of contemporary textiles and wallcoverings, effortlessly blending expertise in age-old traditions with modern capabilities, all the while playing with conventions. 

Over the years, Timorous Beasties has worked on various bespoke and creative commissions with well-known names including Kate Bush and brands such as Nike and Fortnum & Mason amongst others. Timorous Beasties prints are also held in collections at the Art Institute of Chicago, Cooper Hewitt Museum - New York, Gallery of Modern Art - Glasgow and the V&A Museum - London.

With influences as broad as nature, society and art, signature motifs include the bee, thistle, and the widely recognised Glasgow Toile all of which remain bestsellers – the entire portfolio extends to over 500 original designs. Always with an edgy undercurrent and pleasing artful spirit, a light hand of historical references mixed with contemporary attitudes, have seen Timorous Beasties’ work adorn the interiors of cultural and civic buildings, hospitality venues, private jets, album covers, film sets, paper currency and residences across the world.

Alistair McAuley, Co-Founder of Timorous Beasties says, “Our values have always remained constant and this has been recognised by our loyal customers and clients. We will continue to stay versatile without compromising what makes us the company that we are today."

Timorous Beasties first iteration of the Thistle design was created while McAuley and Simmons were at The Glasgow School of Art in 1988.  Later this was developed as a wallpaper and fabric but has also made its way onto rugs, carpets, credit cards, book covers, and its versatility is still in broad use by the studio today. 

A grittier version of the French Toile De Jouy designs from the 18th century. On closer inspection, Timorous Beasties take on Toile De Jouy depicts vagrants and vagabonds misbehaving. All portrayed against a backdrop of famous Glasgow landmarks in a playful and provocative take on a familiar repeat pattern. 

Here, stains and blotches form a beautiful and colourful composition, reminiscent of the patterns visible when looking through a kaleidoscope. This maximalist wallpaper is not for the faint-hearted as it immerses the viewer in an intense world of colourful chaos.

In this pattern, plants including briars and fruiting vines swarm with butterflies and beetles, all illustrated by hand and digitally printed with a level of heightened detail and depth of colour.

Totem Damask is a kaleidoscopic synthesis of arabesques, splats and florals, structured around a geometric ‘digital’ stem. Familiar yet surprising, Totem Damask epitomises Timorous Beasties’ radical approach to pattern. 

This complex, layered design was created by Timorous Beasties using digital software that allowed the brand to combine the familiar damask pattern with an overlaid geometric moiré.