If you’ve ever seen that trademark kitchen wallpaper adorned with patterns of leaves and vines and elements of the natural world, most likely you’ll have seen William Morris wallpaper (or at least William Morris inspired wallpaper). At Beams we couldn’t be a home renovation company from London and not talk about the impact the Walthamstow lad had on interiors and architecture around the city and beyond. 

A leader of the arts and crafts movement during the nineteenth century, which championed hand-made artisanal work in the face of industrialisation, Morris brought about a number of domestic design elements we see in homes today. Be it the use of natural materials such as wood and clay for interior furniture and cornicing, or stained glass to make use of natural light in the home, Morris made an everlasting impact on how houses look and feel. What he’s maybe best known for though are the organic, unfurling patterns in his wallpaper and textile work. 

Here are a few that caused us to look at homes as everyday pieces of art: 

1. Willow Bough kitchen wallpaper

Of all Morris’s designs, the Willow Bough kitchen wallpaper is arguably the best example of his work and impact on interiors. The leafy pattern is based on the willow trees that grew on the bank of a river near his home, as well as on Japanese woodblock prints that he admired greatly. 

The pattern exudes a sense of tranquillity and harmony with its rhythmic repetition of branches and leaves, creating a soothing, naturalistic effect. Willow Bough Kitchen Wallpaper is popular in homes today because of its timeless elegance and flexibility in contemporary interiors. 

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2. Strawberry Thief kitchen wallpaper

Another of Morris’s most popular designs for kitchen wallpaper, Strawberry Thief is celebrated for its intricate detailing and narrative charm. The design depicts birds perching in the foliage of a lush garden to steal strawberries. Story has it that Morris was inspired to create the design after seeing thrushes stealing fruit from his garden. 

Strawberry thief is celebrated for its vibrant mix of bright golden colours set against the dark blues and electric greens. 

3. Golden Lily kitchen wallpaper: 

Golden Lily is another classic William Morris wallpaper. A more muted design, awash with stylised lily flowers and swirling foliage arranged in a symmetrical pattern. Morris took inspiration from mediaeval tapestries and illuminated manuscripts for the design, incorporating motifs and decorative elements reminiscent of the Gothic and Renaissance periods.

4. Tulip and Rose kitchen wallpaper

Another household wallpaper design of William Morris’s, this one features a repeating pattern of tulips and roses intertwined with scrolling foliage, set against a backdrop of lush greenery. This design shows Morris’s mastery of colour and composition, with its vibrant hues and balanced arrangement of floral elements, creating a sense of harmony. 

William Morris’s enduring legacy

William Morris’s work with wallpaper is among his most enduring and influential contributions to design. His wallpaper designs revolutionised the industry, elevating wallpaper from a mundane wall covering to a form of art. Morris's wallpapers were characterised by intricate patterns, rich colours, and a strong connection to nature and traditional craftsmanship.

You can see his work in his summer home, Kelmscott Manor, which is still maintained to this day. 

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