We were on our way to the Red House in Bexleyheath, near London, where William Morris lived for five years with his family in their dream home.
This unrelated thatched house en route was unexpected. So glad to see it. The tradition needs to survive.
Thatched house in Bexleyheath near London, England
It was just a short walk and there we were, looking at the rambling and welcoming Red House, designed by architect Philip Webb for William Morris, his friend.
Blue plaque at the Red House where William Morris lived
It has a charming well.
The well at the Red House
And more than one stained glass angel.
Stained glass at the Red House
William Morris wanted to make beautiful things that people could use. These Sussex chairs were affordable and popular.
Chairs from Morris & Co at the Red House in Bexleyheath near London, England
The house itself was a canvas and studio for Morris and his artist friends. Everything is decorated and worked by hand. The castley bits like this newel post speak to the group’s love of Medieval everything.
Everything in the Red House is uniquely decorated
This ceiling is painted by hand in geometric patterns. The work would have been quite tedious. This is really high. Not the job for me.
Hand-painted ceiling at William Morris’s Red House
If you were a better painter you got to do the wombat.
Pre-Raphaelite wombat
And that’s all I’ve got for you tonight!
I’ll put up more about the Red House another day – it was well worth the trip.
Disclosure
This is my standard form of disclosure that I am retroactively adding to all blog posts done before April 1, 2018, and will add to all new posts.
1. Is this experience open to the public?
Yes.
2. Who paid the cost of me doing this?
I did.
3. Did I get any compensation or special consideration for writing this blog post?
No.
4. Would I be as positive about this place if I had gone as a regular visitor?
Yes. I did go as a regular visitor.
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