William Morris’s Love for Willows
Throughout William Morris’s life, a poignant symbol and muse was the bewitching nature of the willow tree. This enduring image of the bough with delicate sun-lit leaves, appeared within his poetry before it was first hand-painted into a wallpaper pattern.
According to the Pre-Raphaelite painter and friend of Morris, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, this was Morris’s first foray into the art of poetry. From early on, the willow tree was a symbol of significance to Morris’s life. In his later poems and designs, the willow is often used as a vehicle to express his complex thoughts and feelings about the natural world.
After co-creating Morris & Co. in 1861, Morris’s next exploration of the willow appears in the 1874 design, Willow. Predating the popular Willow Boughs by 13 years, Willow is a simple rendering of pointed willow leaves and branches, overlapping to create a sense of texture and depth. Revolting against the contemporary ethic of decadent trompe l’oeil effects, Morris chose to foreground only the subtle silhouette of a tree.
Willow Boughs, from 1887, represents Morris’s evolving thoughts and facility in rendering scenes of nature. In contrast to Willow, Willow Boughs offers characterful curling leaves and an intertwining effect that is simultaneously elegant and soothing. Retaining the simplicity of Willow, Willow Boughs’ overlapping branch network conveys a depth that captivates long after the first glance. Morris’s skill was in doing so without relying upon an elaborate pattern or diverse colour palette.
In 2022, we re-introduced a version of the 1874 Willow rarely seen in contemporary or classic interiors. Emery’s Willow finds its inspiration from an uncommon colourway of the 1874 Willow, found in Morris’s friend, neighbour and collaborator’s Dining Room, Sir Emery Walker.
Helping to elevate the simple willow outline are playful bubble-like shapes, a kindly contrast to the pointed outline of the tree. Emery’s Willow is available in the colourway found in Emery Walker’s House at 7 Hammersmith Terrace, a shade we’ve affectionately called Emery’s Blue. This deep navy intermixes with the light blue bubbles to amplify the willow outline. Herball, Citrus Stone and Chrysanthemum Pink offer vibrant variations as wallpaper.
