William Morris was a British textile designer who lived from 1834 to 1896. He graduated from Exeter College, Oxford, and became an architect after graduation. After several years spent as a successful architect, he decided to become a painter. The decision was influenced by fellow painters Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Jane Burden and Morris married in 1859 and happily built and designed their forever home in Bexley Heath, called the Red House. The exterior of the house was designed by Philip Webb and the interior was designed by Mr and Mrs Morris themselves. Proud of what they had accomplished, they founded the company Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co. The company specialized in wallpaper and home furnishings. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay By the mid-1800s, Morris decided to focus his artistic attention on wallpaper design, and most of his best wallpaper designs were of the natural world. In 1875 Morris opened his new business Morris and Co. The Social Democratic Federation is the political party that Morris joined in 1883 and helped with the creation of another party, the Socialist League. In 1890 he founded a publishing house, the Kelmscott Press. His inspiration for writing comes from the Icelandic sagas and has been the subject of some of his best poetry. Morris lived a very successful life and over the course of his life, according to his doctor, “did the work of ten men in his lifetime” (James, 2012). “If you want a one-size-fits-all golden rule, here it is: Don't have anything in your homes that you don't know is useful or don't believe is beautiful” (Morris). Morris has many floral works that he has created and today floral motifs are everywhere. Floral works are used by graphic designers all over the world for everything. I think he hit the nail on the head with the designs he chose because they can be universal and pleasing to the eye. They also make things and homes seem a little more expensive.