Chrysanthemum Wallpaper by Morris & Co.

Chrysanthemum Wallpaper by Morris & Co.

Key Takeaways

• Chrysanthemum features bold, stylized floral blooms
• Available in Indigo, Chalk, Ivory/Canvas, and Weld colourways
• Indigo delivers rich Victorian drama for formal spaces
• Chalk offers soft elegance for contemporary interiors
• Perfect for creating impactful, botanical statement walls

The Chrysanthemum wallpaper design represents one of Morris & Co.'s most striking and bold floral patterns, featuring large, stylized chrysanthemum blooms arranged in a confident, all-over design. This pattern showcases the influence of Japanese art on the Arts & Crafts movement, with the chrysanthemum being a flower deeply significant in Japanese culture and decorative traditions. Morris's interpretation combines Eastern aesthetic principles with Western botanical observation, creating a design that feels both exotic and familiar.

The chrysanthemum held particular fascination for Victorian designers following the opening of trade with Japan in the mid-19th century. The flower's complex, layered petals and bold form made it ideal for decorative interpretation, while its symbolic associations with longevity, joy, and optimism added deeper meaning to its use in interior design. Morris's Chrysanthemum pattern captures the flower's architectural structure and natural beauty while maintaining the rhythmic, repeating quality necessary for successful wallpaper design.

The Morris & Co. Chrysanthemum Collection

Morris & Co. produces Chrysanthemum wallpaper with exceptional attention to the pattern's bold, graphic quality, ensuring that each bloom appears with clarity and impact. The design's larger scale and more stylized approach compared to some Morris patterns makes it particularly effective for creating dramatic statement walls. The pattern works best in spaces with good proportions where its bold character can be properly appreciated.

The arrangement of the chrysanthemum blooms creates a sense of abundance and natural growth while maintaining strong decorative structure. The flowers appear to float across the surface, creating depth and movement that prevents the pattern from feeling static despite its bold, graphic nature. This makes Chrysanthemum a pattern that commands attention while remaining fundamentally elegant and sophisticated.

Exploring the Colourways

Indigo: This rich, traditional colourway features deep indigo blues that create sophisticated, dramatic spaces with strong Victorian character. The Indigo version works beautifully in dining rooms, libraries, and formal living areas where you want to make a confident decorative statement. The deep blue background makes the chrysanthemum blooms appear luminous and sculptural, emphasizing the pattern's bold, graphic quality.

This colourway pairs wonderfully with dark wood furniture, metallic accents in brass or gold, and rich textiles in complementary jewel tones. The Indigo Chrysanthemum creates spaces that feel both historical and timelessly elegant, perfect for period properties or contemporary homes seeking heritage character with impact.

Chalk: This softer, more contemporary colourway features gentle neutral tones that bring the pattern into modern interiors with ease. Chalk maintains the design's bold structure while feeling more accessible and less formal than traditional colourways. This version works particularly well in bedrooms, living rooms, and spaces where you want botanical impact without overwhelming darkness.

The Chalk colourway's lighter palette makes the pattern work in rooms with more modest natural light, while still maintaining the design's inherent drama and presence. This version suits contemporary interiors decorated in Scandinavian or minimalist styles, where the pattern provides visual interest without introducing strong colour.

Ivory/Canvas: This sophisticated neutral colourway features warm ivory and canvas tones that create elegant, versatile spaces. Ivory/Canvas allows Chrysanthemum to work across various interior styles, from traditional to contemporary, providing pattern and texture without dominating colour schemes. This colourway works beautifully throughout a home, from bedrooms to living spaces, and pairs with virtually any furnishing style or colour palette.

The warm neutral tones create spaces that feel both sophisticated and welcoming, making this version particularly valuable for homes where the wallpaper needs to work with existing furnishings or where a more neutral approach is desired while still maintaining decorative impact.

Weld: This distinctive colourway features golden yellow tones derived from the weld plant, a traditional natural dye source. The Weld version creates warm, luminous spaces with a unique character that sets it apart from more common colour choices. This colourway works particularly well in spaces that receive good natural light, where the golden tones can be fully appreciated and create a sense of warmth and optimism.

Weld pairs beautifully with natural wood tones, brass accents, and textiles in complementary warm colours. This colourway suits spaces where you want to create a welcoming, energetic atmosphere while maintaining the sophistication and heritage character of Morris & Co. design.

Styling Chrysanthemum Wallpaper

Chrysanthemum's bold, graphic character makes it particularly suited to feature wall applications, where it can create maximum impact without overwhelming spaces. In dining rooms, the pattern provides a dramatic backdrop for entertaining, with the large-scale blooms creating a sense of occasion and sophistication. The Indigo and Weld colourways particularly suit this application, providing richness and atmosphere.

For bedrooms, the lighter colourways like Chalk and Ivory/Canvas create restful yet visually interesting environments. Consider using Chrysanthemum on the wall behind the bed to create a focal point that anchors the room without requiring pattern throughout the entire space.

Living rooms benefit from Chrysanthemum's ability to create impact while remaining fundamentally elegant. The pattern works as a backdrop for both traditional and contemporary furnishings, though its bold scale means it pairs best with simpler, more minimal furniture that doesn't compete for attention.

When furnishing rooms with Chrysanthemum wallpaper, consider keeping accessories and additional patterns relatively restrained. The wallpaper provides substantial visual interest, so rooms work best when other elements support rather than compete with it. Focus on quality materials, comfortable textiles, and carefully chosen accessories that complement the botanical theme without adding excessive pattern or visual complexity.