The Unfinished Works: Morris & Co. Completes a Historic Design Journey with The Huntington
Morris & Co., the luxury heritage fabric and wallpaper design house and original company founded by William Morris in 1861, presents The Unfinished Works, a series of designs born from an exploration of The Huntington in California, USA.
In an unspoken exchange between artists throughout history, the designers at Morris & Co. have picked up the pen laid down by 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 across wallpapers, borders, fabrics, weaves and embroideries. Previously incomplete sketches have been thoughtfully and meticulously uncovered and interpreted to bring new imaginings of hidden treasures to interiors.
Adding 26 new designs to the Morris & Co. portfolio, the design team at Morris & Co., equipped with its own extensive archive and brand history, has completed these pieces with accuracy and attention to detail, honouring the original documents with the detailed eye and creative talent of its modern-day studio. Every design has been repainted in the studio.
The collection palette references the richly pigmented colours in the archive logbooks to bring authentic colourisation to this series. From this collaboration comes new designs, finally completed and translated into exceptional products. Wallpapers echo the recognisable handwriting of Morris and Dearle, a series of borders makes a welcome return to the Morris & Co. portfolio, and lovingly crafted hidden designs have been translated into embroideries using intricate techniques for superior handcrafted finishes.
In respect of the unmistakable original craftsmanship, boundaries have been pushed, as we believe William Morris would, to celebrate craft at every turn, producing designs precisely as Morris and Dearle would have envisaged, using their notes and references, where available, as guidance.
Jess Clayworth, Lead Designer, Morris & Co said:
“This is a collection like no other, a unique chapter in the Morris & Co. story in collaboration with The Huntington. As artists, we’ve asked ourselves not what we should do, but what we can do to preserve, refine, and complete these exquisite pieces of archival art, making them relevant not only to today but also to the future as part of art history. We hope William Morris and J. H. Dearle will be proud that we’ve followed the design trail they set out, bringing these designs to life as a creative team spread over the centuries. The Co. in Morris & Co. is alive and well in The Unfinished Works.”
Upholding and honouring a 164-year legacy, The Unfinished Works is an astounding series of designs, finally completed in a moment of art history for the company founded by William Morris, to be enjoyed for generations to come.
All designs are created in the Morris & Co. studio in Chiswick, London, and printed fabrics and wallpapers are made at the brand’s historic UK factories in Loughborough and Lancaster. Designed exclusively by Morris & Co. and sold via wmorrisandco.com and selected retailers.
Find Sanderson Design Group on Supplier Finder
Supplier Finder is the UK’s only search platform for accredited suppliers of commercial interior furnishings.
At Supplier Finder, our mission is simple: to help you find the perfect commercial furnishing suppliers for your interior schemes and projects. We understand the importance of having confidence in the suppliers you specify and the products that bring your designs to life. That’s why each supplier featured on our platform is accredited through Commercial Interiors UK’s rigorous membership application process. This ensures that you engage with only the best in the industry!