After one hundred and fifty years, William Morris designs of wallpapers continue to inspire interior architects and fashion designers. So, how can we use his heritage in a modern way? By printing his wallpaper designs on a big scale, and using his wallpapers, rugs in a modern surrounding?
William Morris design as a photo wall print - Lochness Cabinet Cappellini - Filly lamp Himmee - armchair Lord Melyo - coffeetable To Turn you On with gold leave finish Pouenat - Pile of Suitcases by Maarten Ceulaer Nilufar - hanging lamp Salago Moooi - table lamp Shisha Porta Romana - rug Tweed Casalis
Morris designed Pimpernel in 1876, it has a complex structure and swirling rhythms. It becomes very modern once printed on big scale. If this is to much for you, than you can use the classical wallpaper which is now available in 5 stunning colourways.
Pimpernel Morris & Co
Arts & Crafts was all about using precious materials designed by skilled craftsmanship. Today we find young designers who don't want to make furniture that will be mass-produced, they prefer to create pieces that will become "classic" design pieces and will be as beautiful in 100 years in the future as it is now. Maarten De Ceulaer presented the Pile of Suitcases wardrobe at the Graduaton Galleries 2008 show at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Later he developed a complete collection around his design idea: variable compositions, steel profiles which kept the pile firmly together, leaving ample room for change.
Pile of Suitcases Maarten De Ceulaer
Nature remains an amazing source of inspiration for colours, shapes. The Monarch rug from Sarah Burton's Folklore collection, is handwoven in silk, to capture the shimmering, hypnotic movement of this delicate motif.
Monarch by Alexandre Mc Queen The Rug Company
Starting from the forms, we find in nature a subtle colour palette, pieces made with a lot of respect for the material. Refined details without adding them just for the design.
wallpaper Lotus Farrow & Ball - desk Bean and armchair Marlowe Ceccotti - lamp Kaipo TOO Moooi - Kincob Bookshelf McGuire - armchair DC102 Progetto Domestico - Anneau Chandelier Baker - rug Artichoke Morris & Co
Understanding the techniques of the past to design something new. Martino Gampers Postmundus chair is a reinterpretation of a classical Thonet chair. He did research in the Mundus factory to understand the techniques used on classical bentwood chairs.
Postmundus Chair by Martino Gamper Nilufar
Hand sculpted legs, refined materials, combining materials and colours: The Artisan table of Romain Jeantet is innovative and at the same time would fit the traditional craftsmanship Morris was promoting.
Artisan Table Romain Jeantet
Morris got influenced by gothic revival, medieval styles, and flora and fauna. The Thistle rug of Timorous Beasties would fit perfectly in one of his interiors: the strong dark lines make us think of wood sculpting.
rug Thistle Timorous Beasties
Taking a classical painting as the starting point for a room, print it big to make a modern statement, dark walls will give a touch of drama to the room. Play with light: light falling through the coloured glass of a room divider, candle holders fixed on the wall. The Abalone chandelier will make it an intriguing story: abalone shells appoint the frame, with clear strands forming a crown around each shell to capture and reflect the light.
wallpaper Strawberry Thief William Morris - screendivider Camilla Richter - Military Canvas two seat sofa Stephen Kenn - armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini Nilufar - painting of Dante Rossetti, printed in big size - Abalone chandelier by Tony Duquette Baker - wall candle holder Leland Rowen & Wren - rug Varese Gan-rugs
William Morris was most known for his wallpaper and fabric designs, but he also designed and made embroideries, tapestries and stained-glass. Camilla Richter'S "And A And B And Not" foldable room divider: light and shadow, reflection, transparency, distortion, revision and colours play in the object. A colourful impression, subtle to dynamic, and always depending on time and motion.
And A And B And Not Camilla Richter
For William Morris it was important to understand first the way an object was made before he could start designing it. For Salvatore Franzese it is important to produce an object with his hands, as it is a projection of yourself, involving your head, heart and soul. He has developed a deep need of taking part of the generative process of his pieces.
Some of Morris most renowned and iconic designs are translated in a range of hand-crafted rugs. They come in 100% wool, a distinctive colour palette and they will give a touch of heritage even to the modern home
Golden Lily Morris & Co
Let Morris inspire you, using his colour harmonies, taking his designs and combine them with modern furniture, blow-up the prints, re-colour.