Some trends for interior décor are hot for a season or two before becoming passé, while others have a classic look which ensures an enduring popularity. One such style is that of William Morris, whose wallpaper and textile designs are as appealing as they have ever been, according to London painting and decorating companies.

William Morris – Father of the Arts and Crafts Movement

"Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

William Morris was born in Walthamstow, a village close to London in England, on 24 March 1834. The son of wealthy parents, he had a happy childhood and excellent education. It was at the University of Essex that Morris met the artists Edward Burne Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, forming a group called the Brotherhood. The close friendship between the three Pre Raphaelites was one which would last a lifetime.

Morris, along with several other artistic friends, formed a business called Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Company. The firm engaged in art in all its forms : painting, weaving and dyeing textiles, printing and stained glass making. This innovative new style began to be referred to as Arts and Crafts, and concentrated on artisans using their creativity to make beautiful objects and designs. In 1862, Morris designed his first wallpaper, entitled Trellis, featuring pink flowers and yellow birds. However, it was not printed until 1864, due to issues with the printing technology which Morris was experimenting with. During his lifetime he produced a total of 50 wallpaper designs, with other artists associated with the Morris company producing 49 more.

William Morris Wallpaper Designs

Anyone who is familiar with William Morris' designs will recognise a pattern of using flat line and colour, and avoidance of any three dimensional shading. His designs feature organic images – fruit, flowers, birds and vines, inspired by country walks and designs in the 16th Century books that he collected. Reprints of William Morris designs and William Morris influenced prints are now available from a number of manufacturers in the UK, some incorporating contemporary metallic inks which bring light and texture to the images.

How To Use William Morris Style Wallpapers in Your Home

Even modern homes can be inspired by the luxurious William Morris style, taking elements of his wallpaper and textile prints to create elegant rooms which have a timeless charm. While Morris' original designs were often used in large properties, today's homes tend to be more compact, which means a fully wallpapered room can be overwhelmed. A good way to approach this is to choose one wall to paper with your favourite William Morris design, then choose paint in colours which harmonise which the wallpaper to create a finished, co-ordinated look.

If you love the style and elegance of William Morris wallpaper designs, check out London Painting and Decorating company http://www.gdparvin.com for great advice on how to make this charming look work in your home.