Kelmscott House and William Morris’ Trellis Design

13th March 2018

If you’ve not read our last blog on Kelmscott House, we touched on the history of Kelmscott House – the remarkable house William Morris lived in on the Thames River. Our friends at the William Morris Society were kind enough to send us their book by Helen Elletson so for more information on the house and some wonderful quotes from Morris and his friends, head on over to Amazon to purchase one for yourself!

As with most of Morris’ projects, especially with his homes, the Philip Webb settle, painted with beautiful sunflowers from Red House was installed in the drawing room; alongside the fire place that Webb had also designed. Throughout the house, there are so many of Morris’ designs, which when you see them all together you realise how incredibly they flow together. You can find Pimpernel wallpaper in the dining room; we sell Pimpernel in both green and cream, it’s such a classic print that can really transform a room and works well in any season. We love accents of Pimpernel in our dining room too – from the tablecloth to a recover of the lampshades and chair cushions (which we do often to upcycle the room and keep it feeling fresh without having to buy a whole new dining room suite – textiles really change the vibe of the room!)

On the ground floor, where Morris’s own rooms were, to the left of the front door, was his study. The study was papered in his Trellis design, as was his bedroom. Designed by Morris and the birds within it drawn by lifelong friend and colleague, Philip Webb. Trellis undoubtedly was one of his favourites, to have it in two of the most important rooms of his house that he must have spent much of his time in speaks volumes – especially when he produced so many lovely designs!

The original Trellis wallpaper can be still seen if you visit Kelmscott House, so keep your eye out for this! One of our latest licensed designs, William Morris’ Trellis looks wonderful in a range of our products – from tablecloths to kitchen accessories and tote bags, we even have a range which features his photo, signature and his famous quote, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris.

The basement rooms are now the home of the William Morris Society. Devoted to Morris’s life, you must go see the events they have on over the next few months; dedicated around Morris who had such an amazing life, there’s lots of events around it!

Morris died in his bedroom at Kelmscott Manor aged 62. He famously said, “If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of Art and the thing most to be longed for, I should answer, A beautiful House; and if I were further asked to name the production next in importance […] I should answer, A beautiful Book. To enjoy good houses and good books in self-respect and decent comfort, seems to me to be the pleasurable end towards which all societies of human beings ought now to struggle” – William Morris c.1892.

With Kelmscott being his home for 18 years and being filled with beautiful books, he definately achieved his wishes.

To see our full range of produce in William Morris Trellis, just click here!

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Beautiful floral magic by William Morris, why do you think his designs are so timeless? 🌿
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Kelmscott House and William Morris’ Trellis Design

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