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William Morris Sweet Briar Dark Wallpaper

William Morris Sweet Briar Dark Wallpaper

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William Morris Sweet Briar Dark is a near-black floral wallpaper. Pink dog roses with white-rayed centres open along brown briar stems, threaded with sage and olive leaves over an inky midnight ground. The unlit ground swallows the stems so the roses appear to hover in scattered constellations. It suits a dining room lit by candles, a panelled study, or a bedroom where lamplight picks out the pink.

Colourway: Dark

☷ How many panels do I need?

Panels are 19 inches wide, printed to order in heights from 2 to 12 feet. Enter your wall size and we will set the size and quantity for you.

Wall height
Floor to ceiling, at the tallest point.
ft
in
Wall width
Corner to corner. Add up to 4 walls.
Wall 1
ft
in

Your estimate

Total: —
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Pattern history

Sweet Briar was designed around 1912 by John Henry Dearle, who trained under William Morris and was his chief designer by 1890. Dearle kept designing for decades after Morris died in 1896, and this thorny wild rose is one of his later papers. The V&A notes that Dearle's work was often credited to Morris. A mid-century print of Sweet Briar is in the V&A (E.1405-1979).

How to Measure

1. Determine the Wall Width

Measure the horizontal span of the wall from corner to corner, recording the distance in inches. For projects covering multiple walls, measure each section individually and calculate the cumulative total.

2. Establish the Vertical Height

Measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling at the wall's highest point. If your space features baseboards or crown molding, measure only the visible wall surface between these architectural elements.

3. Account for Obstructions

While doors, windows, and built-in cabinetry reduce surface area, please include these spaces in your overall dimensions. Panels are designed to be installed across these openings and trimmed on-site to ensure the design flows seamlessly.

Important Note: To ensure perfect pattern alignment, do not attempt to combine panels of differing heights. Uniform panel height is essential for visual continuity.

Material Info

We offer two wallpaper materials, each with its own advantages:

  • A high-tack, repositionable Vinyl that grips securely yet removes cleanly. It’s fully renter-friendly and lets you adjust panels during install without fuss.
  • A PVC-free, reinforced paper activated with water. Designed for durable, long-term projects, it’s best for walls where you won’t need to peel it off later.

Not sure which to choose? Our Material Guide and FAQ walk you through surface prep, installation, and longevity so you can pick with confidence.

Install Guide

Pre-Installation Preparation

  • Curing Period: For recently painted or primed walls, please allow a minimum of 4 weeks for the paint to fully cure before installing your WM wallpaper.
  • Surface Cleaning: Prepare the installation surface by wiping it down with a damp cloth or sponge and water to remove dust and debris. Allow the wall to dry completely before beginning the installation.

Panel Preparation

  1. Organize: Unroll your wallpaper and carefully cut along the dotted lines to separate the panels. Lay them out on the floor and check the pattern repeat. Panel numbering only matters for murals, where each panel is a different slice of one image and must go up in order. Repeating patterns can be hung in any order, because every panel carries the same repeat.
  2. Inspect: Before applying adhesive, examine all panels to ensure there are no defects or color inconsistencies from edge to edge.
  3. Verify Sequence: For murals that arrived in multiple rolls, layout matters: begin with Panel 1 and keep the numbered order. If you are unsure of a mural's sequence, contact our support team and we will confirm it. Repeating patterns need no sequence.

Installation Guide

1. Establish a Plumb Line

A perfectly vertical first panel is critical for the success of the entire project.

  • Using a level and a pencil, measure 18.5 inches from the left corner where installation will begin.
  • Mark a vertical line down the wall. This "plumb line" will serve as the alignment guide for the right edge of your first panel.

2. Starting Position

Begin installation in the top-left corner of the surface.

  • Overhang: We recommend allowing approximately one inch of excess material on the left edge and above the ceiling line. This accounts for any wall irregularities and ensures a straight install. This excess will be trimmed later.
  • Pro Tip: If you are wallpapering an entire room, begin in the least conspicuous corner.

3. Applying the First Panel

  • Positioning: Take your first panel (for murals, Panel 1) and make sure the label text is at the bottom so the panel is the right way up. Peel back the top 18–24 inches of the backing paper.
  • Adhesion: Align the right edge of the panel strictly with your pencil plumb line. Gently press the exposed adhesive against the wall.
  • Smoothing: Use the provided smoothing tool and your hands to secure the paper. If the alignment is off, slowly peel the paper back and reposition it—WM wallpaper is designed to be repositionable.
  • Completion: Once the top is secured, peel the backing down in 5–10 inch increments. Smooth the wallpaper from the center outwards to eliminate air bubbles.
  • Pro Tip: To manage the panel easily, fold the peeled backing paper downward and crease it to keep it out of the way.

4. Pattern Matching & Overlap

  • Alignment: Peel back the top section of the second panel. Apply it so that the left edge overlaps the previous panel by approximately ½ inch.
  • Visual Check: Adjust the panel until the pattern repeats match visually. Use a gentle touch to avoid stretching or warping the material.
  • Do Not Trim: Do not trim this overlap. The ½ inch overlap is intentional and required for a seamless visual repeat. Continue this process for all subsequent panels.

5. Finishing Touches

Once all panels are installed, use a sharp utility knife to trim the excess material at the ceiling, baseboards, and corners.

Installation Complete. Step back and enjoy!

View full details
  • Luxe Traditional

    Luxe Traditional

    Premium Feel Non-Woven
    Paste-The-Wall Application
    Easy Slide-In-Place Alignment
    Ideal for Textured Walls
    Butted Joint (No Overlap)
    10.2 Mil Ultra-Thick Profile
  • Peel & Stick

    Peel & Stick

    Self-Adhesive Vinyl
    Removable Sticker
    Renter-Friendly
    Wipeable
    Easily Removable
    Overlap Seam
    Matte Coating
    4.5 Mil Slim Profile
  • Luxe Peel & Stick

    Luxe Peel & Stick

    Self-Adhesive Backing
    Butted Joint (No Overlap)
    10.2 Mil Ultra-Thick Profile
    Matte Luster Finish
    Easy Install & Clean Removal
    Ideal for Smooth or Lightly Textured Walls
    Designer Finish for Elevated Spaces

More William Morris Designs

  • 5 stars: 22 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
J
Joseph Rousseau
Customer for life

This is my second order from this shop. The Sweet Briar Dark is going in our reading nook after the success of the first wallpaper in another room. Consistent quality and gorgeous designs.

Thank you so much for your wonderful support and kind words! We're thrilled to hear the Sweet Briar Dark is perfect for your reading nook. Looking forward to serving you again!

A
Abigail Clarke
Stunning addition to our home

The Sweet Briar Dark has made our living room look so much more sophisticated. The moody and elegant quality is exactly what we wanted. Pro tip: order a little extra for pattern matching — so worth it!

G
Grace Hamilton
Worth the investment

We wanted something special for our study and the Sweet Briar Dark delivers. It elevates the entire room. The William Morris design is timeless and the print quality is excellent.

H
Henry Robertson
Beautiful and well worth the effort

The design is gorgeous and the deep greens and pinks are perfect. Had our installer put it in the powder room — he said the material is premium quality and aligns beautifully. End result is beautiful though.

J
Jonathan Owen
Even better than I expected

The Sweet Briar Dark is a gorgeous wallpaper and the quality is outstanding. The deep greens and pinks are even more gorgeous in person than on my screen. It looks absolutely stunning in our dining room and exceeded all my expectations.

G
George Perry
Perfect accent wall

Used this for an accent wall in our master bedroom and it's become the focal point of the whole house. The deep greens and pinks complement our decor perfectly. Would absolutely order again.

O
Olivia Turner
Museum quality

The detail in the Sweet Briar Dark is remarkable — it looks like something you'd see in a museum or historic estate. Having it on our nursery walls is such a treat. Impeccable quality.

C
Chloe Shaw
Elegant and timeless

There's something about William Morris designs that never goes out of style. The Sweet Briar Dark is elegant and makes our reading nook feel so refined. The deep greens and pinks are spot on.

R
Rebecca Morgan
Superb quality wallpaper

The wallpaper itself is lovely quality and the Sweet Briar Dark pattern is beautiful. I'd recommend hiring a professional for the best results. It looks absolutely incredible in the hallway now though.

D
Daniel Clarke
Absolutely stunning!

We put the Sweet Briar Dark in our accent wall in the kitchen and it has completely transformed the space. The deep greens and pinks are even more beautiful in person than on screen. Everyone who visits comments on it. Worth every penny.

M
Margaret Shaw
Absolutely lovely wallpaper

The Sweet Briar Dark is beautiful and the quality is great. The installation required a bit of care around corners, but the end result in our accent wall in the kitchen looks wonderful. The deep greens and pinks are lovely.

M
Matthew Brooks
Great design, fast delivery

The Sweet Briar Dark pattern is stunning and looks amazing in our entryway. Delivery was smooth and the product itself is excellent quality.

E
Eleanor Johansen
So happy with this purchase

We decorated our hallway with the Sweet Briar Dark and I couldn't be more pleased. The deep greens and pinks bring such warmth to the space. It's the kind of wallpaper that makes you smile every time you walk in.

E
Edward Thompson
Arts and Crafts perfection

As an admirer of the Arts and Crafts movement, this Sweet Briar Dark is exactly what I wanted for our period property. It looks authentic and the deep greens and pinks are historically accurate. Installed in our sitting room and it's spectacular.

T
Thomas Clarke
Even better than I expected

The Sweet Briar Dark is a gorgeous wallpaper and the quality is outstanding. The deep greens and pinks are even more gorgeous in person than on my screen. It looks absolutely stunning in our nursery and exceeded all my expectations.

S
Sarah Anderson
Stunning feature wall

The Sweet Briar Dark makes the most beautiful feature wall in our sitting room. We paired it with some simple furnishings and let the wallpaper do the talking. The moody and elegant vibe is exactly what we were after.

H
Henry Owen
Dream wallpaper

I spent months looking for the right wallpaper for our library renovation. The Sweet Briar Dark is exactly what I envisioned. The moody and elegant atmosphere it creates is perfect.

O
Olivia Singh
Completely pleased with this

We're really happy with the Sweet Briar Dark in our study. The deep greens and pinks are beautiful. The pattern aligns beautifully and looks absolutely fantastic.

C
Claire Fletcher
Incredible quality

The print quality on the Sweet Briar Dark is phenomenal. Every leaf and detail is sharp and clear. The material feels premium and was easy to work with during installation in our study.

A
Amelia Mitchell
Gorgeous design

William Morris never disappoints and this Sweet Briar Dark print is no exception. The detail in the pattern is remarkable. We've had so many compliments since putting it up in our study.

H
Hannah Rousseau
Best purchase this year

Hands down the best home decor purchase I've made. The Sweet Briar Dark in our reading nook is absolutely gorgeous. It's moody and elegant and creates such a welcoming atmosphere.

O
Olivia Ward
Beautiful wallpaper

The quality of this Sweet Briar Dark wallpaper is outstanding. The print is crisp and the colors are true to the photos. Installation was straightforward with the peel and stick format. Our sitting room looks incredible now.