William Morris Area Rugs: Arts and Crafts Florals

Arsh's Rug Library · Rug Styles

Green and brown William Morris design rug with tulips and vines in a room — Shown: William Morris Pak-Persian Tulip, 10'3" x 14'4"

William Morris rugs carry the flowing vines, tulips and leaves of the most famous designer of the Arts and Crafts movement, woven by hand the way he believed things should be made.

Who was William Morris?

William Morris (1834 to 1896) was an English designer, poet and craftsman who led the Arts and Crafts movement. At a time when factories were filling homes with cheap, machine-made goods, Morris championed handwork and natural beauty. His firm designed wallpapers, textiles, tapestries and carpets, many inspired by English gardens and by the Persian carpets he admired and collected. In the 1870s and 1880s his company produced its own hand-knotted carpets, and his patterns have never gone out of style.

How to recognize a William Morris design

Flowing, intertwined vines and stems that fill the whole field.
English garden flowers: tulips, roses, honeysuckle, acanthus leaves and willow boughs.
A balanced, repeating pattern that feels natural rather than strictly geometric.
Rich but gentle colors: greens, browns, rose, gold, ivory and deep blue or black grounds.

Brown and ivory William Morris design rug — Morris florals on a light ground and on a dramatic black ground.

Black and beige William Morris design rug — Morris florals on a light ground and on a dramatic black ground.

Our William Morris rugs

Our William Morris collection is hand knotted in wool in Pakistan, in Morris-inspired designs including tulip, Art Nouveau and Basarabian patterns. Colorways run from soft brown and ivory or gray to dramatic black and beige, in sizes from about 6x9 to 10x14, plus a near-square 8x8. The selection is small and each rug is one of a kind.

Where a William Morris rug works best

A Morris rug suits rooms with character: a library, a dining room with wood paneling, a bedroom with botanical wallpaper, or a living room with antiques and books. Because the pattern is all-over, it looks good from every side and hides everyday wear. In a modern room, a black-ground Morris rug adds drama under simple furniture. Pair it with dark wood, brass, linen and green plants, and repeat one of its colors in the curtains. Our rugs by decorating style guide has more ideas.

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