The Bold & The Beautiful: House of Hackney's Radical Spin on William Morris

Key Takeaways

  • House of Hackney was founded in 2011 with a mission to reinvent the British interior through bold colour and unapologetic maximalism.
  • The brand draws directly on the William Morris tradition, reinterpreting classic botanical motifs for a contemporary audience.
  • House of Hackney wallpapers are characterised by their saturated colour palettes and fearless approach to pattern.
  • The Artemis and Hyacinth designs are among the most sought-after contemporary wallpapers available today.
  • Choosing House of Hackney is a declaration of intent — a commitment to living boldly and beautifully.

In 2011, Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle founded House of Hackney in East London with a radical proposition: that the British interior had become too timid, too beige, and too afraid of its own extraordinary heritage. Their solution was to look backwards in order to move forwards — to draw on the rich tradition of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement, and to reimagine it for an audience hungry for colour, pattern, and personality.

The result is a brand that has become one of the most influential forces in contemporary interior design — one that has made maximalism not merely acceptable, but aspirational. Read more about House of Hackney on Wikipedia.

The Artemis Collection

Artemis Wallpaper - Blush by House of Hackney

The Artemis wallpaper is perhaps the most iconic design in the House of Hackney portfolio — a lush, all-over botanical print that draws on the Morris tradition of the dense, interlocking repeat. Available in the soft and romantic Blush, the cool and sophisticated Azure, and the jewel-like Verdigris, it is a design that rewards commitment. This is not a wallpaper for the faint-hearted — it is for those who understand that a room without personality is merely a room.

Artemis Wallpaper - Azure by House of Hackney

The Hyacinth Collection

Hyacinth Wallpaper - Mulberry by House of Hackney

The Hyacinth in Mulberry is a masterclass in bold colour — its deep, saturated tones creating drama and enclosure perfectly suited to a dining room or bedroom. The Dove-Grey colourway offers a softer interpretation that works beautifully in a sitting room or hallway.

Hyacinth Wallpaper - Dove-Grey by House of Hackney

How to Style House of Hackney

House of Hackney wallpapers demand a committed approach. Embrace the maximalism — layer pattern upon pattern, mix bold colours with confidence, and resist the temptation to tone things down. This is design as a form of self-expression, and it is one of the most exciting things happening in the world of interiors today.

Further reading: House of Hackney on Wikipedia | Arts & Crafts Movement on Wikipedia | Design at the BBC

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