"Inspired by Nature" Morris & Co. Exhibition
If you're a William Morris fan, Standen House in West Sussex should be on your list of places to visit. Looked after by the National Trust, the Arts and Crafts House is filled with a beautiful collection of Morris & Co. patterns and until November 2019, you have a chance to see the "Inspired by Nature" Morris & Co. exhibition.
"If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it:
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful,
or believe to be beautiful."
- William Morris
Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co., an interior design business also known as "The Firm" was founded in 1861 by William Morris. The mass produced industrial manufactured wares of of the times went against everything Morris stood for and the Firm sold high quality, original designs of handmade objects as an alternative. It was this business that later became known as Morris & Co.
"Whatever you have in your rooms think first of the walls; for they are that which make your house a home..."
- William Morris
Wallpaper was one of the earliest decorative items supplied by the Firm and 'Trellis' was his first wallpaper design. Still available today, it was inspired by the trellises in his garden at Red House, and designed by Morris in 1862.
"I must have unmistakable suggestions of gardens and fields, and strange trees, boughs, and tendrils, or I can't do with your pattern."
-William Morris
William Morris's deep love and understanding of nature is visible in all his designs. The willow was a favourite of Morris's and he used it often. "Willow Bough" wallpaper was used in the Westbourne bedroom at Standen House (below). Many variations on this design is still available today from Morris & Co.
Gorgeous Morris & Co. Designs available at Style Library
A Beautiful Arts and Crafts House
Standen House is a beautiful Arts and Crafts house in West Sussex, designed and built in 1892-4 by one of William Morris's colleagues, Philip Webb. He was one of the leading architects of the Arts and Crafts movement and a founding partner of the Firm. It was home to the Beale family during the late 19th and early 20th century.
If you're an Arts and Crafts lover, or a fan of William Morris's designs, make sure you don't miss this exhibition! It's on at Standen House until 10th November 2019.