'Larkspur' by William Morris
About Larkspur by William Morris
The Larkspur design by William Morris is a classic example of the Arts and Crafts movement, which focused on traditional craftsmanship and natural beauty. Created in 1872, Larkspur shows Morris’s love of nature, featuring a detailed pattern of wildflowers, leaves and flowing stems. The name comes from the larkspur flower, a tall plant with delicate, spurred blossoms that appear throughout the design.
Morris used soft, natural colours to bring the pattern to life. Shades of green, blue and cream help create a calm and balanced look. The plants twist and turn across the surface in a way that feels both lively and ordered. This reflects Morris’s aim to bring the beauty of the natural world into people’s homes, especially through wallpapers and textiles.
One of the most striking features of Larkspur is its detailed style. Every leaf and petal is carefully drawn, showing Morris’s skill as both a designer and an observer of nature. The design is symmetrical, but it doesn’t feel stiff or mechanical. Instead, it flows smoothly, almost like a meadow gently swaying in the breeze.
Morris believed that everyday objects should be both useful and beautiful. With Larkspur, he wanted to create something that could decorate a wall, curtain or piece of furniture in a way that lifted people’s spirits. It wasn’t just about decoration – it was about making art part of daily life.
Today, Larkspur remains one of William Morris’s most popular designs. It captures the charm of wild English gardens and the skill of hand-made art. It reminds us that beauty can be found in simple things, and that art doesn’t always belong in galleries – it can live in our homes too.
