Morris & Co.: The Soul of the Arts & Crafts Movement

Morris & Co. is arguably the most influential name in the history of wallpaper. Founded in 1861 by William Morris—the polymath designer, poet, and pioneer of the British Arts and Crafts Movement—the brand was born from a rebellion against the soulless, machine-made goods of the Industrial Revolution. Morris’s philosophy was simple: "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." Today, the brand (now part of the Sanderson Design Group) remains the custodian of Morris’s original hand-carved woodblocks and vast archives, producing wallcoverings that are synonymous with British heritage and "Naturalism."

The Morris & Co. aesthetic is defined by its rhythmic, densely layered patterns inspired by the English countryside. These designs are not mere repetitions; they are carefully engineered "interwoven" compositions of hedgerow plants, garden flowers, and birds. While the motifs are 19th-century originals, the brand has stayed relevant through archival re-colorings, offering everything from the original moody "indigo and madder" palettes to contemporary "chalky" pastels. It is the definitive choice for creating a home that feels storied, artisanal, and deeply connected to nature.