Author: Grace Pan
Date 14th May 2025
William Morris (1834–1896), the visionary behind the Arts and Crafts Movement, revolutionized design with a return to handcraftsmanship and natural beauty. Through his firm, Morris & Co., he produced richly detailed patterns that merged fine art with functional design. His patterns, primarily for wallpaper and textiles, captured the intricate beauty of nature, reflecting a romantic idealism and critique of industrialization. Here are ten of his most influential patterns, spanning the late 19th century, and how they’ve continued to influence style and design.
1. Strawberry Thief (1883)
Period: Late Victorian
Essence: Perhaps Morris’s most famous design, “Strawberry Thief” depicts birds stealing strawberries from his Oxfordshire garden.
Application: Originally designed as a printed textile using the complex indigo-discharge method. It became a luxurious furnishing fabric.
Legacy: Still widely reproduced on fashion accessories, especially scarves and tote bags, and in home décor like cushions and curtains.
2. Trellis (1862)
Period: Early career, Victorian Gothic Revival
Essence: Inspired by the rose trellises in his garden in Red House, this was Morris’s first wallpaper design.
Application: A bold geometric lattice with stylized climbing roses.
Legacy: A foundational piece of Arts and Crafts design, echoed in garden-themed wallpaper and fabrics, still used today in neo-traditional interiors.
3. Willow Boughs (1887)
Period: Mid to late career
Essence: A calm, flowing pattern of willow leaves, evoking a meditative, natural rhythm.
Application: Used widely for wallpaper and textiles in domestic interiors.
Legacy: A favourite for calming spaces like bedrooms and libraries, its organic lines are now featured in fashion prints for blouses and scarves.
4. Marigold (1875)
Morigold
Period: Maturing phase of Morris’s wallpaper production
Essence: A single-flower pattern featuring stylized marigold blooms.
Application: One of Morris’s few single-color wallpaper prints. It offered a more minimal, refined choice for Victorian homes.
Legacy: Continues to be used as a subtle pattern for wallpapers, stationery, and printed silk accessories.
5. Snakeshead (1876)
Period: Textile design peak
Essence: Featuring the Fritillaria Meleagris flower, known as the “Snakeshead,” with a rhythmic, elegant repeat.
Application: Designed for block printing on fabric. Often used for upholstery and drapery.
Legacy: A popular motif in modern fashion lines influenced by heritage aesthetics and maximalism.
6. Pimpernel (1876)
Period: Middle period of wallpaper work
Essence: Intricate scrolling vines and pimpernel flowers surround a central symmetry.
Application: Frequently chosen for dining rooms and drawing room.
Legacy: One of Morris’s most recognizable wallpapers. Today, it appears on everything from high-end home décor to silk pocket squares.
7. Fruit (a.k.a. “The Orange Tree”, 1866)
Period: Early wallpaper era
Essence: A celebration of abundance, featuring oranges, pomegranates, and peaches nestled in foliage.
Application: A rich, ornamental wallpaper.
Legacy: Reproduced widely in heritage interiors and now appearing on luxury wallpapers and gift wrap.
8. Honeysuckle (1883)
Period: Late period
Essence: Designed by Morris’s daughter May Morris under his influence, it showcases swirling honeysuckle blooms.
Application: Furnishing fabric; brought a feminine softness to Morris & Co.’s collection.
Legacy: May’s contribution is now widely recognized, and this design is popular on modern scarves and embroidered fashion.
9. Larkspur (1872)
Period: Mid-career
Essence: A delicate floral with a vertical repeat, almost lace-like in lightness.
Application: Used as wallpaper and lightweight fabrics.
Legacy: Popular in romantic interior schemes and continues to inspire contemporary floral textile prints.
10. Wandle (1884)
Period: Later textile design period
Essence: A complex interweaving of flowers and leaves with the depth and richness of tapestry.
Application: Block-printed fabric for upholstery and curtains.
Legacy: A masterpiece of surface design, its rich visual language has inspired both textile artists and fashion designers.
Morris’s Lasting Influence
At the heart of William Morris’s philosophy was the belief that beauty belonged in everyday life. His patterns, drawn from medieval tapestries and natural observation, provided a sanctuary from the mechanised world of the Industrial Revolution. They were often created for middle- and upper-class interiors but were intended as an artistic counter to mass-produced goods.
Today, Morris’s work is experiencing a renaissance. Brands like Liberty London, Morris & Co., and fashion houses such as H&M, Uniqlo, and Gucci have reinterpreted his prints. His patterns have become common in capsule collections of scarves, dresses, and accessories, especially among influencers promoting a cottagecore, romantic, or artsy aesthetic.
In the realm of interior design, Morris’s wallpapers and fabrics are now embraced in both maximalist and minimalist homes. While some use full-room installations, others incorporate them in modern ways—on accent chairs, headboards, or as framed art prints.
Global Appeal
The organic detail and ethical roots of Morris’s work resonate globally. In East Asia, particularly in Japan, Morris’s aesthetic aligns with nature-centric design philosophies like wabi-sabi. In Europe and the Middle East, his patterns are incorporated into eclectic and heritage-inspired interiors. His nature motifs also pair seamlessly with Islamic geometric influence and rich Persian floral traditions.
Even better, Morris’ patterns are free to use for everyone!
William Morris was more than a pattern designer; he was a revolutionary who believed in art’s power to change society. The enduring appeal of his patterns—lush with leaves, birds, and blossoms—continues to cross centuries and cultures. Whether on walls, fabrics, or fashion accessories, his designs invite us to live more beautifully and deliberately.
As Morris died in 1896, and copyright law generally protects works for 70 years after the creator’s death. This means all original designs by William Morris himself are public domain globally.
You can use them both personally and commercially—with some caveats.
Modern Adaptations or Reproductions: Some companies (like Morris & Co., owned by Sanderson Design Group) have digitally restored or recoloured versions of Morris’s patterns. These modern versions might be copyrighted.
Example: A cleaned-up digital file or reworked vector art of “Strawberry Thief” from a design marketplace might be protected.
Trademarks: The name “Morris & Co.” or specific brand uses of Morris’s patterns could be trademarked. You can use the design, but not the branding or logo.
Source Attribution (Ethically Speaking): While not legally required, crediting the source (“Design by William Morris, public domain”) is a good practice, especially for business use or publishing.
Today, Morris’s vision endures not only in curated interiors but in the folds of a scarf, the lining of a coat, or the cover of a journal, proving that good design is, indeed, timeless.
Ready to dive deeper into Morris’s world? Explore the William Morris Gallery for more insights and inspiration.
The William Morris Gallery
The British Library
The V&A Museum
RawPixel’s Public Domain Collection
Our Big Fame in Prints celebrates the legacy of the world’s most famous textile and print pioneers. This series delves into their business story, timeless designs, and enduring influence on global fashion, interiors, and cultural aesthetics.]
Other articles under this series:
William Morris: The Visionary Behind History’s Most Beautiful Designs
From War to Wow: How Missoni and Marimekko Changed Fashion with Colour and Creativity
The Story of Marimekko: Global Success in Bold Visions
Art You can Wear – Vera Neumann, A Timeless Visionary in Colour and Pattern
Vera Neumann: The Woman Who Made Scarves a Canvas of Art
Missoni: The Legacy of Italian Knitwear and its Iconic Patterns
Timeless Knitwear with Missoni Designs and its Brand Inference
Saddles to Silk: The Evolution of Hermès into a Global Luxury Icon
The Art of Hermès Scarves: A Brief Analysis That Defines Luxury
Liberty – The Fascinating History and Its Iconic Fabric Prints
Liberty Patterns – The Artistry and Versatility of its Timeless Elegance
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