Founded by the innovative Arts and Crafts leader William Morris (1834-1896), Morris & Co emerged as a reaction against the mass-produced, inexpensive furnishings of the Victorian era, which he felt lacked true beauty and style.
The company's enduring designs maintain a balance and elegance that suit both cozy and spacious environments, bridging a legacy of 160 years. In the US, they are marketed by Zoffany, while in the UK, where the design archive is preserved, Morris & Co is part of Sanderson Design Group, Zoffany's parent company.
The Morris & Co archives in the UK
William Morris: The Visionary
During his time at Oxford and early days in London, Morris befriended key figures of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, including Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who shared his passion for nature, medieval beauty, and Gothic styles, rejecting the rise of industrialization.
A Pre-Raphaelite-inspired design for Morris & Co's 160th anniversary
Born in 1837 near Epping Forest, William was the third of nine siblings to a self-made businessman. His education at Marlborough College, where he claimed to learn little, was instead filled with explorations of nearby landscapes, medieval churches, and ancient structures, igniting a lifelong passion for architecture that would shape his future.
Original pattern books from the Morris & Co archive
Decorating Red House, his country home, defined key principles of Arts & Crafts interior design. In 1861, he and his associates established the firm originally named Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co, promoting handcrafted processes and traditional styles infused with a medieval flair.
Morris & Co Scroll wallpaper
In 1877, Morris articulated his belief that art, like education and freedom, should be accessible to all. Craftsmanship and simplicity were central to his vision, resonating powerfully today amid rapid technological advancements.
In 1875, he assumed leadership of the company, officially creating Morris & Co.
Following the Legacy
Woodblock for printing at Morris & Co
Morris aimed to revive traditional crafts like woodblock printing, natural dyeing, and tapestry weaving, though many of these methods eventually proved unprofitable and were phased out.
Original Morris & Co wallpapers from the UK archive
Interior decoration became the firm's hallmark, with wallpapers and fabrics achieving notable success. Morris often drew inspiration from medieval tapestries, wildlife, English gardens, and the picturesque countryside.
Two notable commissions in the late 1860s helped establish the brand's reputation: one for St James's Palace and another for the 'green dining room' at what is now the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, preserved today as the Morris Room.
Following Morris's passing, John Henry Dearle took over as art director, and the firm continued operation until its dissolution early in WWII. The original wallpaper design blocks were acquired by Arthur Sanderson & Sons, now part of Sanderson Design Group.
Additional projects included work for Standen House, a grand estate now owned by the National Trust, and Stanmore Hall, which Morris completed just before his death in 1896.
Morris & Co: Iconic Designs
Morris & Co Strawberry Thief design
Notable patterns include Willow Bough (1887), inspired by a father and daughter by the Thames; Strawberry Thief (1883), depicting thrushes pilfering strawberries; Trellis, his first design from 1862; and Golden Lily (1899), crafted by John Henry Dearle.
During the vibrant 1960s, Morris's designs enjoyed a resurgence, highlighted by a jacket worn by George Harrison of The Beatles.
Morris & Co in Modern Times
Ben Pentreath showcasing his recolored Morris & Co designs
Interior designer Ben Pentreath, known for his work with HRH Prince Charles and the redecoration of Anmer Hall, incorporates a Morris pattern in nearly all his projects.
Morris & Co Queen Square collection
In 2019, Morris & Co collaborated with Pentreath to refresh a selection of original designs, resulting in the Queen Square collection, named after their initial Bloomsbury location, featuring 14 patterns across nine fabrics and eight wallpapers in various colors.
Morris & Co Queen Square collection
Zoffany/Sanderson previously recolored numerous Morris designs in bold hues during the Sixties, which are documented in an archived book. Pentreath drew inspiration from this, blending classic patterns with vibrant contemporary colors.
'This entire collection evokes nostalgia,' Pentreath notes. 'These fabrics bring a comforting and joyful essence that feels incredibly relevant today.'
Morris & Co Queen Square collection
The Morris & Co archive resides in Denham, Buckinghamshire, about 20 miles west of London, where designers often seek inspiration for their own works. For instance, Rose Uniacke's new linen Squirrel, currently available only in the UK, draws on Morris's legacy.
Morris & Co Queen Square collection
To commemorate the firm's 160th anniversary in 2021, Morris & Co unveiled over 100 archival designs, including Owl & Willow, a new wallpaper panel inspired by the 1890 Holy Grail tapestries created by Morris and Burne-Jones.
