Morris & Co. Inspired by Nature at Standen House and Garden

This summer a new exhibition at Standen House & Garden explores the inspiration behind the popular patterns of flowers and birds in designs by Arts & Crafts firm Morris & Co. From Saturday 1 June until Sunday 10 November 2019. *This exhibition occurred in 2019 and has now ended.*

Morris and Co. Inspired by Nature exhibition at Standen

Discover the exhibition

Delve into the world of Morris & Co. at Standen in this new exhibition throughout the house, garden and estate. Discover how repeating patterns of flowers and birds in Morris & Co. designs were chosen, and the value that Morris placed on the revival of traditional skills and techniques including natural dyeing and tapestry weaving. *This exhibition occurred in 2019 and has now ended.*

The drawing room at Standen

House and collections

Morris & Co. designed a wide range of products for the home including wallpapers, textiles, ceramics and furniture, examples of which can be seen throughout the house at Standen. Start your journey in the Billiard Room and follow a pattern trail throughout the rooms discovering the inspiration behind the designs.

A fine oak trellis rebuilt to the original design by Philip Webb in the gardens at Standen

Garden

In the Arts & Crafts garden, plants featured in Morris & Co. designs can be found in the borders and beds. Follow our garden poetry trail inspired by William Morris’s poem Tapestry Trees through the garden overlooking the Sussex Weald.

Looking at patterns in a recreation of the Morris & Co. showroom

Morris & Co. showroom

With the generous support of Morris & Co. we have recreated the feel of their original showroom. You can get a taste for how customers selected and purchased their Morris & Co. wallpapers, fabrics and embroideries.

Shop Morris inspiration

A variety of National Trust and Morris inspired products lining the shelves of the shop at Standen

Shopping at Standen House and Garden 

Complete your day at Standen with a visit to the shop. You'll find a range of Arts & Crafts and Morris & Co. inspired gifts, textiles and ceramics, souvenirs and locally produced gifts so you can take a piece of Standen home with you. In line with government guidance visitors to our shop will be required to wear a face covering from July 24. Please bring one along with you.

Our collection of textiles, ceramics and fashion accessories, inspired by the designs of William Morris.

Bring Arts and Crafts style into your home 

Decorate your home with cushions, wall hangings, toiletries and kitchen accessories featuring William Morris' timeless designs. Visit our online shop to browse the full collection. Order now and use the discount code NTWMORRIS10 at checkout for 10% off your shop.

More to explore

Close view of Poppy wallpaper by William Morris in the Business Room at Standen, West Sussex

What's on 

Delve a little deeper into the exhibition with our programme of events linked to Morris & Co. Inspired by Nature.

Colouring Morris and Co. patterns in the interactive studio

Workshops and talks 

Explore our programme of talks and workshops and learn from the experts.

The Pomegranate wallpaper in the Billiard Room by William Morris at Standen, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Family fun 

Take part in a trail, try a new craft and get inspired by nature with our events for all the family.

The Conservatory at Standen, where some of Morris's favourite plants will be on show during the exhibition

How nature and gardens inspired Morris 

More than any other British decorative arts designer, William Morris drew on countryside and hedgerow plants to populate his patterns and old-fashioned garden flowers to inform his designs. To mark the new Morris & Co Inspired by Nature exhibition at Standen, we explore Morris's roots and the influences on his work.

The Hall outside the Dining Room at Standen House, West Sussex

Download the exhibition booklet 

Morris & Co. Inspired by Nature celebrates Standen’s extensive collection of Morris & Co. patterns and reveals the inspiration behind their design and creation. Find out more by reading the exhibition booklet.