About this pattern
William Morris designed Larkspur in 1872, when his work was still light and small in scale. It was first sold as a wallpaper in 1875, printed in one color, and that April a one-color version was registered as a printed textile too. Specimens from his first pattern book are in the V&A (E.474-1919), among them one printed blue on a pale ground (E.2218-1913).
In this blue colorway, fine willow-like sprays in white and soft blue fan over a gray-blue ground, dotted with apricot rosettes and small pink and blue larkspur florets. The contrast is kept low on purpose, so from across the room it looks like a quiet texture and the flowers only appear as you lean in. That calm suits an ensuite, where you see it up close every morning. It is just as good in a guest bedroom or on a small landing that needs pattern without noise.
See all William Morris wallpaper designs