William Morris

William Morris is an English textile designer, poet and painter among many other things. His father was a broker and so Morris was wealthy, leading a privileged life. He grew up in the countryside and was exposed to nature all his life. He went on to study architecture at a practice after university and married Jane Burden. He didn’t stay long at the practice. In 1861 he set up Morris, Marshall and Faulkner Co, with 6 other partners including himself. All artists, craftsmen and creatives.

I think his patterns really were ethereal and reflect his life growing up in the countryside, the colours used are so captivating. It really reflects the British countryside as he intended it to. The benefits of being immersed in nature are endless as well and I believe his creativity was down to this. “The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life”. I suppose in a way, modern architecture and the way we design to bring the outside in, it was his traditional way through textile to do this in the inspiration he took.

At this time when he was designing patterns, Tromp L’oeil was pretty popular as well as French inspired wallpaper. I think some architects believed that wallpaper was intended to cover the wall and go unnoticed but Morris’ patterns definitely stand out and are prominent. They do not go unnoticed and instead, are very refined and elegant.