Red House

Described by Morris as 'very mediaeval in spirit', the house was architect Philip Webb's first commission in 1859, and is designed in an L-shape with elements drawn from contemporary and Gothic architecture. Morris moved into the house with his wife, Jane Burden (1839-1914) in June 1860. Together the Morris couple and their circle, including Edward Burne Jones (1833-1898), Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893) and Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) created an interior rich with painted surfaces, stained glass, and embroidered textiles. The ceilings were decorated with geometric patterns that still look modern today and the walls and furniture were painted with murals based on medieval romances. Burne-Jones described it as 'the beautifullest place on earth'. Red House saw the founding in 1861 of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co (later Morris & Co), who advertised themselves as 'Fine Art Workmen in Painting, Carving, Furniture and the Metals'.

Red House was bought by the National Trust in 2003. While the furnishings do not remain, extensive conservation work has uncovered previously hidden elements of the jewel-like interior, including an early Morris floral pattern and a previously unknown Pre-Raphaelite wall painting (pictured below).