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The Red House is an important Arts and Crafts building in Bexleyheath, Southeast London. Designed in 1859 by architect Philip Webb as a home for William Morris it was completed in 1860. Although Webb was the architect it was known as Morris’s ‘brainchild’

photo by Ethan Doyle White

Unable to find suitable textiles and furnishings that were to his taste, William Morris got together a group of artists and craftsmen friends to produce furnishings for The Red House. This became the furnishings and decorative arts manufacturers and retailers Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co in 1861, later Morris & Co. The other members of ‘the firm’ were Ford Madox Brown, Rossetti, Webb, and Burne-Jones

Edward Burne Jones (standing, left), William Morris (standing, right), and their families.

Morris was keen to provide affordable ‘art for all’ and driven by his boundless enthusiasm and surrounded by like-minded artists and craftsmen the output of the company was prolific. Morris & Co produced more than 100 block-print wallpapers, William Morris designed more than half of them.

tile detail

The willow was one of Morris’s favourite motifs and he used it in several of his designs for wallpaper and for textiles seen in several rooms in the Red House.

a room in the red house, with willow wallpaper above the panelling

The most popular William Morris design of all is ‘Willow Bough’ which was designed by him in 1887 and has never been out of production.

‘willow bough’

Sadly Morris had to leave the house for financial reasons in 1865, apparently so heartbroken at departing that he could never bear to set foot on the property again.
Although only living at Red House for 5 years, Morris decorated the walls, ceilings and furniture with his bespoke designs, various stained glass and wall murals remain.

entrance hall at the Red House

Morris & Co. finally went into voluntary liquidation in 1940 but the design archives and remaining wallpaper stock were purchased by Arthur Sanderson & Sons for £400. Morris & Co. has remained a part of the Sanderson family ever since, however, they didn’t secure the rights to the textile designs which is why other companies, such as Liberty, have produced Morris fabrics over the years.
The Red House was acquired by the National Trust in 2003, enabling the general public to visit a place that many would call ‘the birthplace of Arts and Crafts’.
nationaltrust.org.uk/red-house
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