Residence, Red House (1860)*

Artist/Designer: Philip Webb, William Morris

Project Location: London, United Kingdom

Figure 1 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 2 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 3 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 4 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 5 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Style/Period(s):
Gothic Revival, Arts and Crafts

Primary Material(s):
Ceramic, Wood, Glass

Function(s):
Residential Structure

Related Website(s):

Jstor Article | Accessed : March 3, 2018

Gaurdian Article | Accessed : March 3, 2018

National Trust Red House | Accessed : March 3, 2018

Khan Academy | Accessed : March 3, 2018

Significant Date(s):
19th Century, 1860

Additional Information:
Project Description:
The Red House in the suburbs of London was designed by architect Philip Webb for his friend, William Morris, the Arts and Crafts pioneer. This was to be the home of the newly married Morris and his wife, Jane, in 1859. The house was considered most daring by the local residents and the pointed windows show the fascination of Morris and friends for the craftsmanship and style of the medieval period. Typically, Mrs. Morris used to ride around in a painted pony card dressed in garment designed for her by Morris that made her look like a maiden out of an Arthurian legend, not like a local Victorian lady. The interior of the house is remarkable for a lack of overt ornamentation, a medieval inspiration in the use of exposed structural timbers in the stair well, and yet profuse decorations, many of them medieval in inspiration, on fabrics and furniture. Morris and his wife did not live at the house for long and later residents included architects. It is now owned by the British National Trust and is open to the public.

Publications/Texts in Print:
Burdick, John. William Morris: Redesigning the World. New York: New Line Books, 2006.

Kirk, Sheila. Philip Webb: Pioneer of Arts and Crafts Architecture. Washington, DC: Academy Press, 2005.

Marsh, Jan. William Morris & Red House. London: National Trust Books, 2005.

Building Address:
Red House Lane, Bexleyheath, London, England

Significant Dates:
1860: Construction completed
1866-2002: House was a private residence
2003: House was purchased by the National Trust

Tags:
Red House, William Morris, Philip Webb, Arts and crafts, london, craftsmanship, medievalism, gothic revival, 19th century

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