William Morris was one of the pioneers of the Arts & Crafts movement in nineteenth century Britain. He taught himself intricate techniques such as how to embroider, dye fabric and block print repeating wallpaper, all of which would provide the basis for his textiles business in the years to come.

Morris established his first iteration of Morris & Co. known as Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. in 1861 and set out to revolutionise British design. Above all else, Morris and his collaborators aspired to revive the art of hand-making items for the home, which had been forgotten in the Industrial Revolution.