Emery Walker's House Collection

INSPIRED BY THE LOVE BETWEEN FRIENDS AND THE LEGACY OF A TRULY HISTORIC HOME, MORRIS & CO. LAUNCH FOUR BRAND-NEW PATTERNS AND SIX RE-INTRODUCED WILLIAM MORRIS DESIGNS IN THE COLLABORATION COLLECTION WITH EMERY WALKER’S HOUSE

Sir Emery Walker (1851-1933) and William Morris (1834-1896) had a relationship that bore seemingly endless fruit. With Walker’s industry expertise as a noted typographer, Morris established the Kelmscott Press for book printing, a feat scholars refer to as Morris’s final triumph. Living a mere stroll away from one another in Hammersmith — and visiting each other almost every day — Walker also collaborated with and supported Morris in the other great passions of their lives, including the local Hammersmith Branch of the Socialist League and the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society.

In a gesture of friendly loyalty, Walker decorated his house almost entirely with Morris & Co. furnishings. To this day, 7 Hammersmith Terrace remains one of the largest repositories of original in situ Morris & Co. designs anywhere in the world. The incredible preservation of the house is due largely to the efforts of Sir Emery’s daughter, Dorothy, her friend and co-habitant, Elizabeth de Haas, and, since taking over stewardship of the house in 1999, Emery Walker’s House Trust.

With one of the highest numbers of new and re-introduced Morris & Co. designs of any collection this century, this release marks a moment to be celebrated by William Morris fans across the world. At once a tender recognition of past friendships and lovingly decorated homes, this collection offers something fresh and reawakened for every lover of interiors.   

Jessica Clayworth, lead designer for Morris & Co., says “As a designer, expanding the archive of patterns first bequeathed by William Morris has been an enormous privilege, and we’re thrilled to add four designs each with a story to tell. Dorothy’s Kilim, for instance, draws from Dorothy Walker’s Middle Eastern travels and is only the second kilim-inspired design in production by Morris & Co. May’s Coverlet offers a tale closer to home, bringing to light the incredible needlework talent of May Morris, William’s daughter.”

In total, six historic designs return to the Morris & Co. order books, in some instances after long decades of absence. The choice of designs was spurred either by examples used in the original decoration of Emery Walker’s House or to reference a cherished part of the house. For instance, Wallflower from 1890 famously adorns Sir Emery Walker’s drawing room, whilst Rose from 1883 creatively responds to the house’s beautifully traditional Victorian-style garden.

Jessica continues “We’ve simply adored awakening six sleeping Morris & Co. designs based on the exquisitely preserved examples in the house. These are designs, such as Emery’s Willow and Wallflower, which we’re glad to see return to our production books and contemporary homes.”  

Every effort has been taken to maintain the high craft standards first established by William Morris. Hand-finished touches along with the highest standard of woven and printed qualities emphasise the intimate nature of many designs within the collection. Where designs reference those in Emery Walker’s House, the original colourway is usually offered. All wallpapers have been designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom.

THIS LAUNCH COMPRISES 28 WALLPAPERS AND 28 FABRICS.

To learn more about Emery Walker’s House, go to emerywalker.org.uk