William Morris wallpaper restored for 190th anniversary

Heritage decorator Rob Odell restoring the willow bough paper at Wightwick Manor

Wallpaper designed by a celebrated artist has been restored to mark its creator's 190th birthday.

William Morris's willow bough print was hanging at Wightwick Manor and Gardens in Wolverhampton, but becoming damaged by salts.

Morris's orginal blocks were still used at a Loughborugh factory so conservationists were able to use traditional hand-printing processes to repair them.

Helen Bratt-Wyton of the National Trust said she was thrilled to celebrate Morris's birthday with the completion of the project.

The original print blocks at the factory of Morris & Co in Loughborough

Morris & Co, producing produced textiles, wallpapers, and furnishings with intricate patterns, was founded in 1860.

The firm still hand-prints wallpaper from his original pearwood blocks.

This allowed five rolls of bespoke willow bough wallpaper to be commissioned especially for the property.

Dave from Anstey hand-printed the original willow bough design in a special colourway at Morris & Co

Ms Bratt-Wyton said: “We are so fortunate that Morris & Co. can still produce their iconic prints using the original printing blocks.

"All of the specialist craftsmanship involved honours Morris's enduring legacy as a pioneer of the arts and crafts movement."

The lengthy restoration project included the removal of damaged plaster, which was replaced with breathable lime plaster which took two years to dry.

Heritage decorator Rob Odell conserved as much of the original wallpaper as possible and hung the newly printed roll alongside it to complete the renovation.

Wightwick Manor was once home to the Mander family, major employers in Wolverhampton at one time and who manufactured varnish and paints.