Welcome William Morris into your home with Wallpaper It

Some design trends never lose their appeal. The ornate beauty and organic wonder of Art Nouveau. The angular elegance of Art Deco. But predating both of these was the incredible Arts & Crafts movement of the mid-19^th century. Now, Wallpaper It introduces you to the marvels of this ground-breaking design concept with our brand new William Morris At Home collection.

Celebrating the work of one of the most influential designers of his time, the William Morris At Home range is a revival of some of Morris’ most important wallpaper patterns. Embracing the beauty and elegance of these fabulous creations, we've curated a collection that embodies the concepts of the Arts & Crafts movement, including its colours and patterns.

In this article, we'll introduce you to the man and his designs and discuss how our modern collection can be integrated into any home. Whether you have a heritage home and want to create a little Arts & Crafts oasis for yourself or add a whole new concept into a contemporary setting, William Morris allows you to unleash your creativity in the most beautiful way.

Who was William Morris?

Artist, activist, writer, poet and designer William Morris believed that art should be for the people and created by everyone. Every element of his life was influenced by the concept that simplicity, beauty, and functionality can work together harmoniously. For Morris, nature was the greatest source of inspiration.

William Morris was one of the founding fathers of the Arts & Crafts movement and was best known for his textiles and, more importantly, his wallpaper designs. His creativity introduced a whole generation to the elegance of botanical wallpapers. Exquisite designs brought a sense of tranquillity into a room, putting him decades ahead of his time.

It was Morris who first introduced the idea of merging indoor and outdoor spaces through the use of botanical wallpapers - a concept that was immediately embraced by the public. His wallpaper and textile patterns are still regarded as some of the most important in the history of design and can be seen in museums across the globe.

How Arts & Crafts fits into the modern world

Modern design has swung back towards the principles of the Arts & Crafts movement, and while there is still a place for minimalism and contemporary concepts, the growing popularity of murals and signature walls demonstrates that people are looking for a little more beauty in their lives.

Arts & Crafts designs such as the William Morris At Home collection fulfil that need, introducing a whole new generation to the stunning designs and ideas of Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement.

William Morris At Home is an authentic Morris brand in partnership with the William Morris Gallery. This organisation, based in Morris' childhood home in Walthamstow, holds the world's largest collection of his designs. But they don’t just keep dusty records of Morris’ work in locked drawers – they continue the man’s legacy by creating beautiful lifestyle products that link the past with the present.

As part of that ideal, Wallpaper It has worked with the foundation to create a collection of designs that are just as relevant and beautiful today as they were nearly 200 years ago.

Sustainability, craftsmanship and practical beauty

Morris was also ahead of his time regarding the concept of sustainability, and that's more important than ever today. The William Morris At Home collection takes this to the next level, ensuring that production techniques and materials are responsibly sourced and that all packaging is recycled, reused, and durable.

Attention to detail and craftsmanship lies at the heart of the Arts & Crafts movement, and we’ve applied those same ideals to the creation of our William Morris At Home wallpapers to honour the man who has given us so much inspiration. And finally, that idea of practical beauty means that our wallpapers are designed to last, can be easily wiped clean and retain their original vigour and freshness for years.

We've also stuck to another vital principle Morris championed – affordability. The William Morris At Home collection combines luxury quality with affordable price tags, allowing anyone to turn a plain room into a work of art.

A fabulous selection of designs

Let’s take a quick look at some of the designs on offer from the William Morris At Home collection, all of which are original heritage examples taken from Morris’ own catalogue of wallpaper patterns.

Strawberry Thief

One of the recurring themes in Morris’ designs was the combination of botanical designs and wildlife, particularly birds. Strawberry Thief is a beautiful example of this, depicting delightfully cheeky birds helping themselves to some juicy strawberries, surrounded by swirling floral elements. Strawberry Thief is available in a range of colours, including on-trend Sage & Pink, Rich Green, Soft Blue, Deep Blue, Charcoal, and Plum. To create your own signature wall, Strawberry Thief is also offered as a customisable mural to fit any size wall.

Willow Bough

This enchanting design is a little more contemporary in appearance and takes as its theme the silky, elongated leaves and stems of a willow tree. The pattern is exquisitely complex, with subtle changes in the colours to create a three-dimensional effect. Willow Bough is available in a wonderfully rich Plum, light and bright White & Blues, a delicate Sage, and variations in Deep Blue, Charcoal, and Deep Green. Willow Bough is also offered as a mural, creating a wonderfully serene canopy of hanging leaves that frames a bed perfectly.

Marigold Fibrous and many more

Taking its cue from Morris’ floral elements and adding a wonderfully textured, shimmering effect gives Marigold Fibrous a unique place in our William Morris At Home collection. The pattern shifts and changes depending on the light, and the delicate use of earthy, pale colours makes this design ideal for smaller rooms that may feel overwhelmed by the more striking patterns in the collection.

Other collections include the classic Pimpernel, with its dramatic centrepieces and delicate background, and the intensely rich Blackthorn. Acanthus is big, blousy, and dramatic, while Bird and Pomegranate is a charming combination of bright fruit and enchantingly delicate birds.

Welcome William Morris into your home

The range of designs in the William Morris At Home collection makes it suitable for any type of interior, from a hallway brought to life by the light touch of Marigold Fibrous, or a striking Willow Bough mural in a bedroom. The colour palettes range from deep plums and dusky blues to whisper-light charcoals and sage greens. To create stunning results, look out for our recommendations on colours that perfectly compliment with each design and colour combination.

William Morris’ influence on interior design has lasted nearly 200 years, and at Wallpaper It, we’re proud to continue his legacy with our collection. Browse William Morris At Home now and welcome this remarkable designer into your home.