The William Morris Society, founded in 1955, is a registered charity dedicated to sharing the knowledge, life, and work of William Morris (1834-1896). The life, work and ideas of William Morris are as important today as they were in his lifetime. The Society exists to make them as widely known as possible. The Society’s office and museum are in the basement and the Coach House of Kelmscott House, Hammersmith, Morris’s London home for the last eighteen years of his life. During this time, he ran his manufacturing business, Morris and Company, at Merton Abbey, he founded the Kelmscott Press, and he held Socialist League (later the Hammersmith Socialist Society) meetings in the Coach House. Today the Society hosts exhibitions of works by Morris and his wider circle, releases multiple publications, and holds lectures and events, all of which are open to the public.
Our William Morris Designs:
Golden Lily: Designed by J.H. Dearle in 1897 the original wallpaper was block-printed by Jeffrey & Co. for Morris & Co. The diagonal pattern of entwining lily stems and tendrils has remained one of the most popular Morris & Co. designs, experiencing a particular resurgence in the mid-late 20th century when it was famously worn, styled as a jacket by Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison in the 1960s and again in the 1970s when the design featured on a couch in a Sanderson Design advert with Diana Rigg.
Seaweed: Seaweed is unique to the Morris & Co. range as it is the sole paper to feature underwater plant life. The design by J.H. Dearle was registered in 1901 and features acanthus vines amongst blue flowers and sprays of seaweed. Although this is the only Morris & Co. design to feature underwater life, it is known to have been a popular motif during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), which undoubtedly would have influenced Dearle’s work.
Willow Bough: One of the most iconic designs by William Morris from 1887, Willow Bough features the naturalistic design of entwining willow leaves and branches. Printed by Jeffrey & Co. the subtle colourway and flowing repeats make this a timeless design that has effortlessly lasted through the ages. This two-toned version offers a greater sense of depth and warmth to the design which reflects Morris’s inspiration found in his frequent walks in the countryside.
