William Morris Merton KT30402

MERTON wallpaper and fabric design is inspired by the original WANDLE design by William Morris.

William Morris produced a number of patterns based on the different rivers of London. This pattern, created in 1884, represents the Wandle. It is on the river Wandle at Merton Abbey that Morris had the works of Morris & Co. He took over the site in June 1881 and the company remained at this site until 1940 when it closed down. The design was inspired by historic textiles, especially 15th-century velvets that often featured a strong diagonal or meandering branch from which various flowers emanated. The original design would have needed 32 blocks to print it.

Morris took a new approach in the way he used natural forms in his designs. He understood plants intimately but never copied them literally.

He didn't think it was possible or desirable to imitate nature. He believed that patterns should have 'beauty, imagination and order, using these principles across all his work.