When you think of some of the most beloved rooms designed by Shea McGee and her infamous design studio, Studio McGee, what often springs to mind is a palette of earthy, ruddy, tones blended with organic textures and a lived-in sensibility. And that's exactly what she's brought to the Morris & Co. x McGee & Co. collaboration.
In a continued partnership with Morris & Co., one of the most enduring Arts & Crafts brands that pay homage to celebrated designer William Morris, McGee & Co. have teamed up with the heritage brand to create an exclusive wallpaper collection.
The result? Nine delicately reimagined prints that continue the legacy of Morris & Co. with a thoughtfully renewed color palette. 'We wanted to create something that feels both timeless and contemporary,' Shea McGee explains.
These wallpaper ideas beautifully blend the intricate patterns of Morris & Co. with the modern aesthetic of Studio McGee. Want to take a look?
Shop The Exclusive Morris & Co. x McGee & Co. Collab
Sold exclusively online via McGee & Co., the collection includes 9 wallpapers of which 5 are brand new for 2024: Chrysanthemum, Wandle, Mallow, Snakeshead, and Blackthorn. Each iconic design has been recolored in chalky hues to suit a modern home.
Explore the full collection below.
The intricate motif of the Blackthorn wallpaper is lively with sage and neutral hues. Originally made in 1892, it gained popularity when it was adapted for machine-printed fabric. Now, the new colorway enhances its whimsical nature.
A signature and historic Morris & Co. pattern, Chrysanthemum was initially printed using wood blocks to replicate Japanese leather papers. This exclusive colorway is both moody and modern and highlights the intricacies of the pattern.
Mallow draws its inspiration from the Mallow's hibiscus flowers that adorn the walls of Standedn House In Sussex. The cool, gray-green tones chosen by Shea make this wallpaper a calming and versatile choice for all spaces.
First created in 1876, Snakeshead is known as one of Morris' favorite patterns. Reimagined in soft neutrals, the dramatic pattern now appears delicate, soft, and perfectly in line with the McGee & Co. aesthetic.
The Wandle design, created in 1884, originally required 32 print blocks to create its intricate pattern. McGee & Co. used monochrome green-on-green tones to enhance the dramatic composition without overwhelming it.
Hung in Morris' own dining room at Kelmscott House and in Shea's daughter Ivy's bathroom, the swirling, painterly design of Pimpernel has been given a softened appearance thanks to the deep tones applied here by Shea.
The play of greens, yellows, grays, and charcoals brings a lightness to the Honeysuckle & Tulip wallpaper. First produced in 1876, this was an early design depicting circling large multi-petalled tulips and stylized honeysuckles in a mirrored pattern repeat.
The archivist at Morris & Co. loved Shea's new Umber take on the Marigold design that she suggested her mom hang it in her own bathroom. High praise indeed. The striking motif is full of movement, featuring rich hues that can be effortlessly incorporated into your home.
This all-over design is a striking single-color print with overlapping, abundant sunflowers, grapes, and foliage. Created from the original Morris & Co. block in 1879, here it lives on in hushed neutrals that makes it perfect for layering.
William Morris first established Morris & Co. in the 19th century and created some of the most iconic patterns and prints in British design history. Enamored by his famed designs, Shea wanted to honor their 163-year legacy with a collection that celebrated his work while speaking to the Studio McGee aesthetic.
Working with the Morris & Co. design team, each pattern in the collection has been designed in modern colorways to enrich and enliven your home.
'What I find amazing about these prints is that they are historical but can be paired with both modern elements and vintage ones. This is my favorite combination to elicit a feeling of freshness,' says Shea.
In an ode to Shea McGee's love of British heritage design, this collaboration between Morris & Co. and McGee & Co. feels only natural. So what is your favorite print? Whether it's the deep terracotta hues of Marigold Umber or the whimsical nature of Blackthorn, you ought to act quickly with this one - everything Shea touches turns to gold.
