You recognise a William Morris pattern at once. Dense foliage, flowers that lock into one another, a bird here and there. He drew them in the nineteenth century for wallpaper and fabric, as the leading figure of the English Arts and Crafts movement, and they have never gone out of fashion. Morris & Co rugs are made by Brink & Campman. This autumn the collection grows with new designs, and for the first time hand knotted rugs are among them.
Hand Knotted in Nepal, Only at Authorised Dealers
We have had the hand knotted rugs in our hands, and the first thing you notice is how finely they are knotted. Every leaf and every stem is crisply drawn, just as in the original artwork. A single rug takes months to make, knot by knot, in pure new wool.
That makes them exclusive in two ways. Because of the craftsmanship itself, and because they are sold only through a small number of authorised dealers. Onlinetapijten is one of them.
The pile is 12 mm high. The rugs come in 200 x 300 cm and 250 x 350 cm.
Borage, Helena and Theodosia
Borage is the oldest of the three. Morris drew it in 1883 as a furnishing fabric: a lively floral pattern that mirrors itself in several directions. It therefore reads well from every corner of the room, which helps when your seating does not face the rug square on. It comes in a classic blue and in grey.
For something calmer, look at Helena. J. H. Dearle designed it in 1891 with the fine textiles of Persia and Turkey in mind. Artichoke flowers, acanthus leaves and fritillaries run through one another in a soft mineral shade between blue and green.
Theodosia is the boldest. The motif comes from the embroidered bed hangings at Kelmscott Manor, Morris's country home: scrolling leaves and stylised flowerheads on a deep bottle green. A rug for a room that otherwise stays restrained.
Hand Knotted or Hand Tufted: What Do You Notice?
In a hand knotted rug the pattern is part of the rug itself. Turn it over and you see the design on the back as well. No glue is involved, the rug stays supple and the drawing is very fine.
In a hand tufted rug the yarn is worked through a cloth by hand, after which the rug is given a backing of latex and cotton. At 17 mm the pile is higher and feels full and soft underfoot.
Both are made by hand in pure new wool. To read more, see our article on hand knotted and hand tufted rugs.
New Hand Tufted Designs From the Archive
Lent Lily is based on a rarely seen watercolour from the archive of The Huntington. The loose hand of the sketch has been kept: pointed tulips, acanthus leaves and wild daffodils. There is a version in indigo with madder red and a darker one in plum with bayleaf green.
From that same archive in California comes Walthamstow, an old carpet design that was rediscovered there. Honeysuckle, daisies and swirling acanthus leaves, framed by a traditional checkerboard border, in forest green and teal.
Persian Scroll starts from a historic Morris & Co embroidery and brings that swirling motif in a rich plum. Wilton Weave in indigo is the fourth newcomer.
These rugs are made in India. They come in four standard sizes, from 140 x 200 cm to 250 x 350 cm, and can also be made to measure.
The Familiar Collection Stays
Strawberry Thief, Pimpernel, Seaweed, Golden Lily and Honeysuckle are still with us, as are Blackthorn and Acanthus, which can also live outside on the terrace. You will find the full range under Morris & Co rugs.
Which Size Should You Choose?
200 x 300 cm suits a three seater sofa with armchairs, with the front legs on the rug. Under a dining table for six, 250 x 350 cm is the better choice. If you are hesitating between two sizes, take the larger one. A Morris pattern needs room to show itself.
You are welcome at our rug shop and showroom in Willebroek, in the Antwerp region, easily accessible from Antwerp, Brussels, Mechelen and Sint-Niklaas. We will gladly look with you at which design and which size suits your interior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the hand knotted Morris & Co rugs made?
In Nepal. Each rug is made by hand, knot by knot, in pure new wool, which takes months. The pile is 12 mm high.
Which sizes do the hand knotted Morris & Co rugs come in?
Borage, Helena and Theodosia come in 200 x 300 cm and 250 x 350 cm.
Where can I buy the hand knotted Morris & Co rugs?
They are sold only through a small number of authorised dealers. Onlinetapijten is one of them.
Can a Morris & Co rug be made to measure?
Yes, the hand tufted wool designs can be made to measure. The price is calculated per square metre.
Who makes Morris & Co rugs?
Brink & Campman makes them, based on the original designs from the Morris & Co archive.
Are Morris & Co rugs suitable for underfloor heating?
Yes, both the hand knotted and the hand tufted wool rugs are suitable for underfloor heating.
Does a new wool rug shed?
Yes, that is normal. A new wool rug loses some loose fibres in the first weeks. This disappears with regular vacuuming, using a smooth nozzle without a rotating brush.
