In an unspoken exchange between artists throughout history, the designers at Morris & Co. have picked up the pen laid down by legendary craftsmen William Morris and John Henry Dearle to create The Unfinished Works. From The Huntington’s remarkable library of documents come handcrafted and unmistakably original designs, translated across wallpapers, borders, fabrics, weaves and embroideries.
Sanderson design director Claire Vallis spoke with Business of Home about the intricate and intuitive process of completing century-old patterns for contemporary interiors.
What’s the inspiration behind the new collection?
The inspiration came from our connection with The Huntington. The institute has held this collection of artworks, sketches and documents since 1999. Much like our own cherished archive, it is a vast treasure trove of records. It was a thrill to visit The Huntington in Los Angeles and spend days immersed in this archive of designs we had never seen before. What was incredibly inspiring was the sense of familiarity and the recognizable nature of each sketch, knowing that it was undiscovered as a complete pattern or repeat. As ever, we’re inspired by the past and our heritage, carefully and thoughtfully reimagining designs for today’s interiors.
What was the starting point for this collection?
The starting point was very much the body of work itself. These sketches and artworks told stories; it has been our honor and privilege to complete them and bring them to a new audience. The notes on some of the sketches, written by William Morris and J. H. Dearle themselves, helped guide us. Still, we took the source material and worked with our archive and extensive knowledge of Morris’s handwriting to finish these pieces, remaining true to their essence while creating a pattern we knew would resonate with our audience today.
What about the collection feels fresh and exciting?
Everything from the patterns to the palettes feels fresh yet familiar, making the collection so exciting. People instantly and innately connect with it. Take Chamomile, which has strong visual links to Marigold but embodies individuality. Wild Tulip & Vine is a beautiful pattern that we think is possibly the work of John Henry Dearle due to some signature styling—the conical stamens in particular. This feels closely connected to Golden Lily, one of our most iconic designs.
What piece are you most excited to unveil?
A personal favorite from our design studio is Persian Scroll embroidery. An incredibly special pattern, Persian Scroll reflects the heavy influence of Persian design that informed much of Morris’s work during a specific period. Persian Scroll is an exceptional embroidery crafted using a dissolvable thread to resist dye in some areas. Each color catches differently across the embroidery, creating pools of pigment, and the ground has a subtle texture of color. This particular dye technique is very special—it feels aged, lived in, and like an artifact for the modern home. The intricate level of work has resulted in a fabric full of depth and interest. The rich, authentic colorways perfectly suit the Persian characteristics beloved by William Morris.
How do you feel this collection pushes the brand forward?
This series has been over a century in the making. We’ve completed designs for an entirely new collection that feels fresh but also comfortingly familiar. By bringing these works to life, we’re spotlighting William Morris, John Henry Dearle, and the entire creative collective of Morris & Co. in new and exciting ways.
In his craftsmanship, aesthetic and global view, Morris has never been more relevant. By referencing the different eras during which he worked and the influences that informed him, these designs open up our world to inspiration. The coloration of this series is also key. We looked to the archive for an authentic palette that feels reminiscent yet fresh.
These patterns have all been designed and completed from original documents, so these iterations are Morris & Co.’s intellectual property and cannot be reproduced because they are copyrighted. It is incredibly important to us to use original material, and an honor to be able to go back to the documents and provenance and work from this very special material.
Tell us about the materials in this collection. Are there certain materials used throughout, and/or a material that is a highlight on a particular piece?
Morris & Co. x The Huntington: The Unfinished Works has a dedicated handcrafted book that shows the incredible array of materials we’ve used. These unfinished artworks are special, and we wanted to honor them as much as possible through techniques and materials that felt apt to their origins. Oak & Blossom weave is a wonderful example of a sketch (originally intended for stained glass) interpreted as a special warp-printed weave. Refined and repainted, the layout has been transformed by the warp print and additional handwoven dobby stripe. We also have beautiful warp prints, such as Wilton and studio favorite Persian Scroll, which uses the overdyeing technique for a richness of color that is unique to the design.
How does the collection build on or complement your other offerings?
These uniquely individual designs are intended to complement and be layered with all existing styles in our portfolio. That’s the beauty of Morris & Co. patterns: Each feels rooted in its heritage, yet timeless in application. William Morris was—and still is—the master of symmetry. That, coupled with his most prolific source of inspiration, nature, creates a lasting impression across decades and even centuries. We’re seeing more people embrace color and pattern; Morris & Co. designs perfectly fulfill that desire.
How do you envision designers using this collection?
I cannot wait to see how designers interpret these designs in their work. I hope they will embrace each piece’s individuality and celebrate it while also feeling compelled to mix and blend with existing styles in our portfolio. The Unfinished Works has been created to effortlessly layer in schemes, adding truly special textures and finishes. Our stripes are an exciting addition, taken from carpet borders and elements of other patterns and given prominence as unique designs that perfectly complement the different styles in the series. We also have borders and friezes, which have returned to our portfolio. I am very excited to see how these will be used to frame interiors.
Can the collection be customized? What kind of options are possible?
At present, no, but we are always open to conversations with designers about their project needs. We love to invite people into our studio and archive to explore our extensive history and portfolio. This is a completed design series, with much more to come, so I will say to keep an eye out for more from Morris & Co. x The Huntington.
