Principles and Elements

Principles and elements are seen throughout every inch of Red House. The most obvious on the exterior and in the name is color. Color is used in the red brick and continues throughout the inside of the house. Many colorful aspects were added including in the drawing room shown in the photograph above. Wallpaper adds more color and pattern on the interior. The house has form in the unusual and asymmetrical shape. The color and style create a harmonious experience on the inside and out of Red House.

Connections

Red House was crafted during the midst of the industrial revolution, a time where houses were becoming more mass produced and the look of “cookie-cutter” houses began. Morris chose to create a house that focused on craftsman ship. This theme is continued throughout the house by adding more unique touches that show that nothing in the house was mass produced. Morris and his partner, Philip Speakman Webb, were particularly interested in the middle ages and showing that in the structures of the house. This is obvious in the shape of the house and connected to the interior through different wallpapers, wood beams, and stained glass.

Materials

One of the aspects of the house that was most intentional was the red brick. The nicer homes of the time were stucco but Morris made a statement by using the bright red brick on the exterior and interior, obviously earning the name Red House. The exposed brick was accompanied by exposed wood beams. The gothic fixation was furthered with the stained glass windows designed by William Morris’ friends and family. These materials being used together was somewhat of a lost art at the time

Light and Color

William Morris was not shy to color when it came to designing this house. The use of different wallpapers and the green painted features added many colors to the house. The lighting was more simple, with some windows creating a decent amount of natural light. The stained glass allowed light and color to work together simultaneously. The colors paired with glass aspects and open spaces allows light from the few windows to flow throughout the house and feel brighter.

Experience

The exterior and interior of the house give one many aspects to admire. The craftsmanship and attention to detail of the design are clear throughout Red House. The structural elements paired with the patterned and colorful wallpaper make the house feel like a home designed for a specific family, which is exactly what it is. When designing the house, Morris had his family in mind, and they shared a few years there before having to sell it due to financial difficulties. Some functionality aspects of the house were strange and showed the inexperience of the designers, but the style provided a beautiful protest of industrialization.

Theories

This house illustrates sustainability the best. The craftsmanship of the home began the arts and crafts movement. The structural authenticity allowed for exposed beams, brick, etc. on the interior of a house and gave it more of a simple feeling. It was important that aspects of the house be both decorative and functional which creates a tone of sustainability. Morris designed the house as a way to stand up against the industrial revolution and the way houses were beginning to use mass produced pieces instead of well crafted and long lasting ones.

Technology

As this was made during the industrial revolution, technology had everything to do with the construction of Red House. It may not have been used physically, but it is the reason Morris chose to craft the house so carefully. He chose not to use the most modern technology as he believed it to be less authentic and long lasting. This was so important to the creation of the house but ultimately some parts were not perfect due to his inexperience.

Finises

Red House does not rely much on finishings as it is part of the arts and crafts movement. There are many exposed beams and brick on the interior and exterior. Some of the wood is stained a more cherry red, and there is a lot of wallpaper throughout the interior and paint is used on different walls and furniture.

Furnishings

Furniture is a less important part of this house because the bones add so much on their own. The furniture coordinates well with the colors used throughout the house. Many of the furnishings were built into the house, emphasizing the importance of it being long lasting to Morris. He and his wife made much of the furniture themselves, and some of them include paintings by Morris. The furniture allows for a more personal touch to be done by Morris, including his personal motto.

Telling Stories

Red House tells a complete story of a young designer reaching for the stars with an underbelly of contrary. Morris wanted to create a house that proved the industrial revolution to be less long lasting than work created with well crafted intentions. He was able to include many personal touches and create an entire movement through the design of this house, despite some issues arising with the functionality. His interest in medieval architecture is obvious as long as who he was as a person and his opinions at the time.

Additional Sources

Red House

Red House: The Perfect Home for a Victorian Socialist

AD Classics: Red House / William Morris and Philip Webb

The artistic history of Red House