Borage Wallpaper

William Morris’s Borage wallpaper is a delicate, intricate design that beautifully captures the natural grace of English flora, especially the borage plant—a star-shaped, blue-flowering herb long associated with courage and joy. This design is a lovely example of Morris’s botanical focus and his talent for turning natural forms into structured, harmonious patterns.

Design & Motifs:

  • The wallpaper centers on stylized borage flowers, with their five-pointed petals arranged in small clusters.

  • The flowers are accompanied by curving stems, finely veined leaves, and tendrils, all arranged in a flowing, interlacing pattern.

  • The design feels light and airy compared to some of Morris’s denser works like “Strawberry Thief” or “Bird and Pomegranate.”

  • It carries a sense of gentle movement, as if the plants are swaying in a soft breeze.

Pattern & Structure:

  • “Borage” is a repeating design that balances symmetry and organic flow.

  • Though it draws from nature, it’s not purely naturalistic—Morris stylizes the forms to create a sense of rhythmic order and textile-like texture.

  • The repeat is subtle, allowing the design to feel continuous and immersive.

Color Palette:

  • Often rendered in soft, harmonious tones, such as:

    • Pale blues, greys, and greens

    • Cream or off-white backgrounds

    • Accents of dusty rose, muted gold, or faded indigo

This gives “Borage” a calm, understated elegance, making it a popular choice for serene spaces like bedrooms, reading rooms, or hallways.

Historical Context & Style:

  • Designed in the 1880s, “Borage” reflects Morris’s belief that beauty should be accessible in everyday life.

  • It captures the Arts and Crafts ethos: nature-inspired, lovingly handcrafted, and deeply decorative without being ostentatious.

  • Like much of Morris’s work, it was produced through block printing, with each layer of color applied by hand.