Willow Boughs Wallpaper by Morris & Co.
Willow Boughs Wallpaper by Morris & Co.
Key Takeaways
- Willow Boughs features graceful willow branches and leaves
- Available in Willow/Seaglass, Woad, Linen, and Blue colourways
- Woad offers traditional Victorian depth for formal rooms
- Linen provides neutral sophistication for contemporary spaces
- Perfect for creating serene, nature-inspired interiors
The Willow Boughs wallpaper design stands as one of William Morris's most serene and graceful patterns, capturing the gentle movement of willow branches swaying in the breeze. Created in 1887, this design reflects Morris's deep appreciation for the natural world and his ability to translate botanical observation into timeless decorative art. The pattern features flowing willow branches with delicate leaves arranged in a rhythmic, all-over design that brings tranquillity and natural beauty to interior spaces.
Morris drew inspiration from the willow trees growing along the River Thames near his Kelmscott Manor home. The willow's graceful, drooping branches and slender leaves provided the perfect subject for a wallpaper design that would create calm, restful atmospheres. The pattern's gentle movement and organic flow make it one of Morris & Co.'s most versatile and enduringly popular designs.
The Morris & Co. Willow Boughs Collection
Morris & Co. produces Willow Boughs wallpaper with exceptional attention to detail, ensuring that every leaf and branch appears crisp and beautifully defined. The pattern's flowing, organic structure creates a sense of natural movement that brings life and energy to walls while maintaining a fundamentally calm and restful character.
The design's medium density strikes a perfect balance between visual interest and restraint. Unlike Morris's more elaborate patterns, Willow Boughs provides substantial decorative impact without overwhelming spaces, making it suitable for both whole-room application and feature walls. The vertical emphasis of the trailing branches also helps to create a sense of height in rooms with standard ceiling heights.
Exploring the Colourways
Willow/Seaglass: This fresh, contemporary colourway combines soft greens with gentle blue-grey tones, creating a palette that evokes coastal landscapes and natural serenity. The Willow/Seaglass version works beautifully in bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces where a calm, restorative atmosphere is desired. The colour combination pairs wonderfully with white, cream, and natural wood furnishings, creating light, airy interiors with a Scandinavian or coastal aesthetic.
Woad: This traditional colourway features the deep blue-grey tones characteristic of classic Morris & Co. designs. Woad creates rich, sophisticated spaces with strong Victorian character, perfect for dining rooms, libraries, and formal living areas. The deep background makes the willow branches appear to float, creating depth and drama while maintaining the pattern's inherent grace. This colourway works beautifully in period properties and in contemporary homes seeking to incorporate heritage design elements.
Linen: Perhaps the most versatile option, the Linen colourway features neutral tones that work seamlessly with contemporary interiors. The soft, natural palette allows Willow Boughs to provide pattern and texture without introducing strong colour, making it ideal for spaces decorated in minimalist or Scandinavian styles. Linen works throughout a home, from bedrooms to living spaces, and pairs beautifully with virtually any colour scheme or furnishing style.
Blue: This colourway offers a fresh interpretation with clear, bright blues that bring energy and vitality while maintaining the pattern's calming character. The Blue version works particularly well in spaces that receive good natural light, where the colour can be fully appreciated. This colourway suits bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces where you want to create a connection with nature through colour as well as pattern.
Styling Willow Boughs Wallpaper
Willow Boughs' graceful, flowing character makes it exceptionally versatile for various interior applications. The pattern works beautifully throughout a room, creating immersive, nature-inspired spaces that feel cohesive and restful. In bedrooms particularly, Willow Boughs creates the perfect backdrop for relaxation, with its gentle movement and natural theme promoting calm and wellbeing.
For living spaces, Willow Boughs provides a sophisticated backdrop that works with both traditional and contemporary furnishings. The pattern's organic flow complements natural materials like wood, linen, and wool, creating layered, textural interiors that feel grounded and harmonious. Consider pairing with simple, unfussy furniture that allows the wallpaper's beauty to take centre stage.
The pattern also works wonderfully in dining rooms, where it creates an elegant, nature-inspired atmosphere perfect for entertaining. The Woad colourway particularly suits this application, providing richness and formality while maintaining the pattern's inherent grace.
Willow Boughs adapts well to different room sizes and lighting conditions. The lighter colourways like Linen and Willow/Seaglass work in smaller rooms and spaces with limited natural light, while the deeper Woad and Blue versions shine in larger rooms with good natural light where their richness can be fully appreciated.
When accessorizing rooms with Willow Boughs wallpaper, consider keeping the approach relatively simple and natural. The pattern provides substantial visual interest, so rooms don't require heavy layering of additional patterns. Instead, focus on texture through natural textiles, quality materials, and carefully chosen accessories that complement the botanical theme. Plants, natural wood pieces, and simple ceramics all work beautifully with Willow Boughs, enhancing the nature-inspired aesthetic without competing with the wallpaper's graceful design.