5 reasons William Morris designs have stood the test of time
As you may have guessed, here at T&T we adore the work of William Morris! We’ve always been big believers in filling our home with items that bring us joy – and in fact, we have several Morris prints in our house. So of course, our lampshade wouldn’t be complete without a splash of Morris magic!
Here are 5 reasons why we love to use his designs on our handcrafted lampshades, plus a bit about his fascinating story…
When William Morris first uttered those words back in 1880, his aim was to convince his Victorian audience to reject the mass-produced, poorly made products that had flooded the market in the industrial revolution. Morris believed that "the decorative and domestic are as important as the art on the walls of our national galleries," and he abhorred the damaging effects industrialisation had had on both social conditions and the quality of manufactured goods.
What fuelled his words was a deep appreciation for art and traditional skills. It was this passion that not only made Morris one of the most lauded designers of the 19th century, but also positioned him as a central figure of the Arts & Crafts Movement: a campaign that began life as a ‘vocal minority’ in the 1860s, but by the 1890s had gathered pace and become an internationally recognised set of ideals around the value placed on the decorative arts.
Even today, Morris’ words are an iconic mantra for those of us who believe in filling our homes with items that spark joy. The Morris archive includes more than 50 different wallpapers, all instantly recognisable and symbolic of the joy he found in art, creativity and craftsmanship.
Here are 5 reasons we adore his designs:
1. THEY TRANSCEND TRENDS
From cottagecore charm to maximalist pattern layering, Morris wallpapers and fabrics complement a range of interior styles. This has a lot to do with the unique character of his patterns; they are simultaneously repetitive and busy, chaotic and calm, organised and unstructured. So they have the potential to bring a variety of impacts to a space, and they possess a timelessness that makes them effortless to work with.
2. THEY’RE INCREDIBLY VERSATILE
We’ve seen Morris prints used to stunning effect in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Also In country retreats and sleek city dwellings. They can take centre stage as a show-stopping wallpaper, or add subtle accents in the form of soft furnishings and accessories. Over the years, they’ve been used in their original colour palettes and reimagined by contemporary designers, such as Shea McGee and Ben Pentreath. The possibilities seem endless!
3. THEY GIVE US THE FEELS
There’s something about William Morris prints that conjures up feelings of nostalgia. Whether it’s because we recall the prints from our childhood homes, or simply because they call to mind a bygone era, for so many of us they just feel comfortingly familiar – which, of course, makes any space they adorn feel instantly warm and welcoming.
4. THEY BRING NATURE INDOORS
‘Bringing the outside in’ might sound like a modern interiors trend, but a look back through the history of home decor shows us that nature has been the muse of many a designer – and William Morris was no exception. What is unique about his work though, is the distinctive artistic twist he gave the flora and fauna he depicted. It’s a style that never fails to add impact.
5. THEY CAPTURE THE IMAGINATION
Each time you gaze at a Morris print, you notice something totally different about it. His influences were wide-ranging and included medieval tapestries, stained glass and ceramics, and as a result his patterns are richly layered and detailed. They’re a fine example of what Morris himself would call ‘considered design’, and choosing them for an interior scheme brings a real talking point into a space.
