In November of 1862, William Morris designed a beautiful design, Trellis. The first wallpaper he designed, along with Daisy and Fruit, it’s one of our favourites. We love the intricacies of Morris designs, the detail that goes into the design whilst keeping it so timeless. Often, we wonder if Morris could ever have known that so many years later, his designs would be so timeless, decorating our homes with tea towels and oven gloves over the cooker, made into curtains, and so much more.

True design never ages or goes out of fashion.

The history of the design:

Because we know Morris as an artist, among his many other talents, it’s always interesting to know the story behind the design.  Whether it’s from his inspiration or simply the history behind them. The rooms they’ve decorated, where they’ve been featured within English history.

With Trellis, being his first design, it must hold a special place for fans of William Morris. Though it was designed in 1862, it wasn’t registered and manufactured until 1864. There is a few years difference because it needed 12 blocks to print it for the different colours within the design. Being block printed with so many colours, it took a long time and therefore was expensive to do. He therefore had to wait a few years until his firm; Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. had enough money to finance the designs. This was also when Daisy and Fruits were printed  for the same reason.

William Morris – Inspired by Nature

If you’ve looked through our full collection of licensed Morris designs, you’ll be able to see that they are all hugely influenced by nature. With Trellis, it’s no different. The inspiration lies within the rose Trellis in the garden of his home, Red House, in Bexleyheath. Edward Burne-Jones famously called Red House, “The beautifullest place on Earth.” If you’re ever lucky enough to visit Red House, you’ll be able to see why!

Nature is intrinsic with the design. Trellis is really lifelike with the birds and bees intertwined with the roses growing up the Trellis. We always find it completely incredible that this design has been adorning the walls and soft furnishing of homes over 159 years – we wonder the stories of all these families and who they were!

Red House was completed in 1860, we hope you visit it on a sunny day. Then you can stand outside and wonder at it’s architectural beauty. Morris and Philip Webb worked together on lots of the ideas, collaborating on the features. Edward Burne-Jones created some stained glass and paintings which can be seen at the house today. Plus Jane and Bessie Burden created beautiful embroidery to decorate the home.

We hope you love Trellis as much as we do. If you’re within the UK and would like a sample, please do get in touch and we’ll get them sent out to you!