This extensively illustrated volume focuses on William Morris (1834–1896), placing his wallpaper designs within the context of the radical changes in taste witnessed during the Victorian era. Against a backdrop of the fanciful, naturalistic patterns that typified fashionable papers in Morris's youth, the impact of the Reform Movement of the mid-19th century is underscored, particularly the reformers'

crusade against such multi-coloured ornamental decoration. Instead,

the insistence on the concepts of honesty and propriety as promoted by A. W. N. Pugin and Owen Jones, are demonstrated as influences on Morris. The role of imported Japanese wallpapers is also explored, giving insight into a seldom-discussed

cultural exchange evidenced within the story of Morris & Co, which produced wallpapers from 1864 until 1940 and, after a post-war hiatus, from the 1960s to the present.

Amplifying Morris's role in the creation of an influential and lasting style, his work is set within a selection by other designers, including Christopher Dresser and C. F. A. Voysey. Also introduced are firms of significance including Jeffrey & Co. and Arthur Sanderson & Sons, both of whom block-printed the Morris wallpapers.

In a highly visual presentation, what is revealed are influences across time and within a global context, as pertinent to the creation of wallpaper art in the 19th century as it is today.

本书聚焦于威廉·莫里斯（William Morris，1834-1896年）的壁纸设计，在维多利亚时代，人们的品味发生了翻天覆地的变化。在莫里斯年轻时，时髦的壁纸都采用了富有想象力和自然主义色彩的图案，在这种背景下，19世纪中期改革运动的影响得到了凸显，尤其是改革者们反对这种色彩斑斓的装饰的运动。相反，A. W. N.普金（A. W. N. Pugin）和欧文·琼斯（Owen Jones）所倡导的对诚实和得体概念的坚持对莫里斯产生了影响。书中还探讨了日本进口壁纸的作用，并通过莫里斯公司（Morris & Co）的故事，深入了解了一种很少被讨论的文化交流，该公司从1864年到1940年生产壁纸，战后停产一段时间后，又从60年代一直生产到现在。

本书将莫里斯的作品和其他设计师的作品放在一起，如克里斯托弗·德雷斯（Christopher Dresser）和C.F.A.沃伊西（C. F. A. Voysey），放大了莫里斯在创造有影响力的持久风格中的作用。此外，还介绍了一些重要的公司，包括Jeffrey & Co.和Arthur Sanderson & Sons，他们都是莫里斯壁纸的印刷商。在高度视觉化的展示中，揭示了19世纪壁纸艺术的创作跨越时间和距离，影响至今。