William Morris: Pattern & Design (Victoria and Albert Museum)

A fabulous visual reference of William Morris's extensive range of textile and wallpaper designs and a covetable gift book for all Morris aficionados and anyone with a love of exquisitely designed patterns. William Morris (1834-1896) was a pioneer of the Arts and Crafts Movement and one of the most influential designers of all time. This exquisitely designed and richly illustrated book brings together more than 400 of William Morris's ingenious textile and wallpaper designs in a fascinating chronological sequence, offering a comprehensive overview of his work and an eye-catching glimpse into his life. It will be an invaluable visual reference for designers and Morris admirers, and a covetable gift book that is perfect for museum stores. The book begins with an introductory overview of textile and wallpaper design, and of Morris's life and work. It goes on to explore how these iconic designs and patterns were created and printed in the late 19th century, and then shows the patterns in chronological order, grouped according to their different colourways. The decade of each pattern is revealed on each spread, and the vertical captions give as much uninterrupted space to the patterns as possible. Featured designs include the famous Trellis (1862), St James's (1880-81) and Strawberry Thief (1883), alongside lesser-known patterns. The book's engaging design features a William Morris-inspired green text, and the portable medium-sized square format, with a paperback cover and a jacket, allows readers to flip through the book with ease.