Introduction

The Red House, situated in the heart of Bexley, designed for William Morris by his architect friend Philip Webb in 1859, is a seminal Arts and Crafts building. In 1904 the German Scholar Herman Muthesius described Webb's building as, 'the first private house of the new artistic culture, the first house to be conceived as a whole inside and out, the very first example in the history of the modern house'. It subsequently entered most of the written histories of 'modern' architecture. The idea of building the house was conceived by Morris in the summer of 1858 whilst on an eccentric boating trip in France - rowing down the Seine with his friends Charles Faulkner and Philip Webb. Today the appeal of the Red House seems stronger than ever.

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

The influence of William Morris upon modern and contemporary arts cannot be overestimated. Perhaps best remembered for the range of design of wall covering and materials his works; painter, poet, political publisher, typeface design and furniture maker have significant influence world-wide. In 1858 thoughts of a 'Brotherhood' were forming in his mind - an association of artist//designers//craftsmen, in which the work of mind, eye and hand would play complimentary parts. Morris's impending marriage to Jane Burden, the beautiful Pre-Raphaelite model whom Dante Gabriel Rossetti had introduced him to, had set him thinking about building a home. What better to make the building, and the decorating and the furnishing of it, the opportunity to establish the new fraternity. Today the house reflects the works and influence of Edward Burne-Jones, Faulkner, Rossetti, Webb, Jane Burden (a talented embroiderer in her own right) and William Morris

Right interior: Morris chair and embroidery frame.