At the weekend I went to the Red House, just outside of London; the only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, the founder of the Arts & Crafts movement and renowned for his floral patterned fabrics and furnishings. When it was completed in 1860, it was described by Edward Burne-Jones as ‘the beautifullest place on earth’. Morris lived with his wife Jane in the house for only five years, during which time their two daughters, Jenny and May, were born. Features to look out for include: hand painted tiles by Burne-Jones featuring Morris’s motto ‘si je puis’ (If I can), hidden murals by Morris concealed behind hinged panels in the living room, and don’t forget to look up to the ceiling for colourful painted patterns.
(I also recently did a post about an exhibition on Morris, which was at Two Temple Place in London).
Hand painted tiles in the Pilgrim’s Porch featuring William Morris’s motto ‘si je puis’
Stained glass windows by Burne-Jones
Cabinet by William Morris
Aphrodite embroidery
Dining room
Hallway ceiling with pinpricks in the plaster to denote where the pattern should be painted.
Protected Morris painting behind white panelling.
Image: my own
