William Morris, Beautiful, floral pattern, vintage Ceramic Knob

William Morris (1834-1896) was an English writer, artist, poet, socialist, craftsman, and designer who is probably best known for his influence on the Arts and Crafts Movement and wallpaper design in particular. He founded the British socialist party as well as the first society dedicated to the preservation of historical buildings. Morris's work blurred the line between art and craft. To live in a "Morris" house would be to be surrounded by hand-made items of beauty and functionality. Morris rejected the common, the mass-produced, the tacky (he would have called it the shoddy). He revived old crafts and traditions, often immersing himself in historical texts or seeking out craftsmen from whom he could learn dying arts, be they weaving, stained glass, dyeing, embroidery, metalwork, or printing. Long considered the father of the Arts and Crafts Movement, his philosophical approach to design, and life, still finds vital expression in the 21st century community of crafters and do-it-yourselfers.