A LITTLE WILLIAM MORRIS LOVE

A little while ago I picked up this adorable little set from Chapters when  I needed a little present for myself and I thought they were perfect! 

When I read about the print on the side of the box I wanted them even more.  The print is “Daisy” a naively drawn design of meadow flowers by William Morris (1834-1896).  It was the first wallpaper produced by Morris & Co. 1864.  The source of inspiration for the print was a wall hanging illustrated in a 15th century version of Froissart’s Chronicles.

Similar flower forms can also be seen in late medieval ‘mile-fleurs’ tapestries and in early printed herbals.  The “Daisy” pattern is taken from a volume of wallpapers, which form part of the most comprehensive collection of Arts and Crafts in the world, housed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Isn’t that interesting?  William Morris and his firm, Morris & Co designed and produced a wide range of glass, tiles, furnishings and textiles which went on to become synonymous with the Arts and Crafts movement. 

So I did a little more digging about William Morris and found out that he led the Arts and Crafts movement of the late nineteenth century. He designed some of the most exquisite patterns of wallpaper, many which are still reproduced today to decorate homes. The Arts and Crafts movement was comprised of English designers and writers who started a return to well-made, handcrafted goods to compete with poor quality machine-made items. William set up his own company with fellow artists called Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co in 1861, (later just Morris & Co), which produced everything for interior decorating from furniture and textiles to wallpaper and even, jewellery.

Here’s some photos of his wallpaper patterns.

William Morris – Acanthus – Gorgeous!

 

William Morris – Apple

William Morris – Chrysanthemum

William Morris – Fruit

William Morris – Golden Lily Minor

William Morris – Larkspur

William Morris – Pimpernel – my favourite!

William Morris – Thistle

William Morris – Trellis

William Morris – Tulip

William Morris – Willow

Aren’t they all beautiful?  Now some of these patterns look a little old fashioned but some of them feel very current, cool and modern – like Acanthus, Apple, Pimpernel, Golden Lily Minor and Willow.

A Morris & Co. parlour or living room which was illustrated and described in detail by Godey’s Lady Book in 1885.

A close up of the chandelier in the room.

The wood work in the room is finely carved old oak and mahogany done in a boldly carved dragon design.

And here’s the Daisy wallpaper print:

So now when you hear the name William Morris you’ll know how much he contributed to design.  I am loving my little set even more now knowing all the history behind it. 

And it even has a little surprise - the hammer handle opens to review four different screwdrivers.  I love a little surprise…..

Isn’t it great when you get exactly what you want… ;)

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at      613-762-0818.

Lisa

Photos and info via http://getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=143860&handle=li; http://www.victoriana.com/Wallpaper/williammorris.php; http://historicstyle.com/williammorris/wallpapers/daisy.html

BASKETS, VASES, PAILS, BOXES

Okay, I have to admit that one of my secret, well maybe not so secret obsessions is organization and storage.  I have a small addiction problem collecting containers of all types, shapes and sizes.  I love baskets, vases, pails, boxes, apothecary jars any type of container that can hold things….  I have quite the assortment in my home and cottage and I can’t stop buying them.  I move them around from room to room, home to cottage, cottage to home and change what I store in them almost constantly. I love to find a different use for containers that I hadn’t thought of before.  Here’s some that I have and some that I covet.

traditional bedroom design by seattle architect Bosworth Hoedemaker via Houzz

Such a beautiful armoire…I love armoires and the baskets on top just add to the love.

eclectic kitchen design by new york architect Dufner Heighes Inc via Houzz

What a great unfitted kitchen!  This table/island is spectacular!  Look at those legs!

traditional kitchen design via Houzz

I love seeing baskets in the kitchen.

traditional kitchen design by philadelphia architect Felhandler/ Steeneken Architects via Houzz

More baskets in the kitchen…..

traditional home design via Houzz

I love the woven stool – but I really love the wooden box!

This is an old sap bucket that was left at our cottage so I’m now using it as a vase….

These cute little galvanized pails (from Pottery Barn) are adorable for holding little necessities and they remind me of my sap pail.

This is one of my favourite container to use as a vase, it’s actually an old metal coffee/tea jug.  But I think it is perfect as a flower holder….

I have some of these in my kitchen as well also holding lemons and limes, faux pears and wine corks and some in my bathroom holding cotton balls and Q-tips. These canisters can be used everywhere and for everything.  The pail in the back is pretty cool too!

I love this retro mint green tin container which is in my laundry room filled with detergent. 

Here’s some great glass boxes (also Pottery Barn) that you can use to store or display lots of things…imagine some sand in the bottom with your special seashells from your last beach vacation…..

And of course Ikea’s Emu boxes – I have these everywhere….

One of my favourite things from Ikea - their Antonius basket insert but my daughters and I use them for makeup storage.  Two of them fit perfectly in my long shallow bathroom drawer for keeping eye shadow and lipstick sorted and tidy.

I am loving these Winston baskets from Pottery Barn – they would be great for magazines, too…

Even my pets find new ways to use my storage items.  Here’s how Pixie and Milo like to use my new Pottery Barn basket, which is on top of the bookcase!

Do you have any unique containers that you use in interesting ways?