Articles from the William Morris Gallery
'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful'. Carien Kremer, Curator of the William Morris Gallery, on the history of the space.
William Morris Gallery
A Georgian villa dedicated to the life and legacy of William Morris (1834-1896).
Similar studio museums...
- Maison familiale d'Henri Matisse, France - childhood home of the great French painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
- 7 Hammersmith Terrace, United Kingdom - home of William Morris' close friend and colleague, Emery Walker (1851-1933)
- Red House, United Kingdom - the house William Morris commissioned, designed and decorated after his marriage in 1859
Feature List
- Guided Tours
- Workshops
- Café
'Water House' was the home in Walthamstow to which William Morris, together with his mother, brothers and sister moved after his father's sudden death in 1847. Built around 1750, and set in extensive grounds that includes a moat, the house speaks of the comfort in which the future radical socialist was raised, before he went away to study at Marlborough College, Wiltshire.
The house opened to the public as a museum in 1950 and underwent extensive redevelopment before reopening in 2012. It now houses a selection of award-winning displays for all ages, presenting the world's most comprehensive collection of material relating to Morris' work as a designer, artist and political activist. These range from the tapestries and textiles Morris designed later in his career, including the original design for the 'Trellis' wallpaper, to his old satchel and coffee mug.
