William Morris

Happy Birthday William Morris!! Morris, born in Britain in 1834, began as a painter, moved into architecture, but eventually needed to expand to create total change for man’s existence. He felt the inside as well as the outside of a home had to reflect a complete wholeness. He began with his home built with the help of friend Philip Webb. Not having the funds to buy furnishings, Morris founded his own firm: Morris and Company, and had his start in the crafting of contemporary furniture, textiles, stained glass windows and wallpaper. He initiated the modern axiom of art on an equal footing with “craft”, preferring handcraft to machine mass production. An important accomplishment is the creation of the private press, Kelmscott Press, innovative in book design and printing. I have included a picture of the Morris Chair (the green paint added later and without its cushions) so you can see the handiwork.