William Morris ⁽²⁾

William Morris (1834–1896) was a British designer, poet, and social reformer who became a key figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement, a movement that championed handcraftsmanship, the beauty of everyday objects, and a rejection of mass production. Morris believed that art and design should be an integral part of daily life, and he created everything from intricate textiles and wallpapers to furniture and stained glass—imbuing even the most functional items with artistic value. His work was not only about aesthetics; it was about elevating the ordinary and making the world around people more beautiful and meaningful.

Morris was also deeply involved in the social and political issues of his time. He was a staunch advocate for socialism, believing that workers should be treated fairly and that the industrialized world had lost its connection to craftsmanship and nature. His most famous works include his iconic wallpaper patterns, woven tapestries, and the famous Kelmscott Press, where he produced some of the finest printed books of his era. As a poet, Morris was well-known for his epic works like The Earthly Paradise, but it’s his legacy as a designer and his influence on the decorative arts that continues to shape interior design and textiles even today. Morris believed that beauty and craftsmanship were essential to a good life—and his works still remind us of that.