'Willow Bough' by William Morris

William Morris’s Willow Bough is a serene and rhythmical textile design that exemplifies the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement. First produced in 1887, the pattern draws its inspiration from the gentle elegance of willow branches, rendered with a lyrical sensitivity that reflects Morris’s deep observation of the natural world. Long, slender boughs sweep diagonally across the surface, their tapering leaves arranged in a flowing, almost musical sequence that suggests movement and growth rather than rigid symmetry.

The design is structured as a repeating pattern, yet it avoids mechanical regularity. Instead, Morris achieves a sense of natural balance, as if the branches were swaying softly in a breeze. The leaves are stylised rather than botanically exact, each one carefully shaped to contribute to the overall harmony of the composition. This balance between realism and abstraction is central to Morris’s approach: nature is not copied slavishly, but reimagined through skilled craftsmanship.

Traditionally printed in muted, earthy tones—such as soft greens, blues, and gentle creams—Willow Bough possesses a calm, restorative quality. These colours enhance the organic character of the design and make it particularly well suited to domestic interiors. Whether used as wallpaper or fabric, the pattern envelops a room without overwhelming it, offering visual interest alongside a sense of repose.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Willow Bough embodies Morris’s social and artistic principles. It celebrates handcraft, honest materials, and the belief that beauty should be an integral part of everyday life. The design resists industrial harshness in favour of warmth and humanity, inviting the viewer to reconnect with nature through pattern. As such, Willow Bough remains one of Morris’s most enduring and beloved designs, admired for its timeless elegance and quiet poetic strength.