Eventually both Morris and Burne-Jones quit their course, the latter to become a painter and Morris to pursue a career in architecture. For Morris, however, the draw of the artistic life was too strong and he was to become an artist in the Pre-Raphaelite movement and founded Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and co initially to focus on creating stained glass and decorative features for churches. The creative work was largely outsourced until the associates gained the necessary skills to produce the work themselves. It wasn't long before the company was attracting attention, winning awards and gaining valuable commissions to decorate palaces, stately homes and museums.

Morris was to build his own home, Red House, which he envisioned would become the artistic community he had dreamt of. The property was decorated by Morris and his associates and the project was informed by Morris's dislike of mechanisation and the industrial age. The walls and ceilings were hand painted, wall hangings were sewn and furnishings made by the group.

By 1862 Morris was focussing on wallpaper design. He was inspired by the gardens and hedgerows of England and the beauty and randomness of the natural world was celebrated in his work. Stylistically his creations were influenced by medieval illuminated manuscripts. Morris had always been drawn to the medieval way of life.

William Morris was a visionary and creative genius whose work remains hugely popular to this day. We are proud to feature the wallpaper collection at Tallantyre and we are sure that you will find decorative inspiration in the beautiful prints. The work of the Arts and Crafts movement still feels remarkably current and fresh today. In looking back for inspiration Morris created timeless designs for all seasons much cherished in the modern era by householders and interior designers alike.