Patterns by Jeanetta Gonzales.
Welcome to our latest brainchild, Pattern Play! I am thrilled to announce the latest ongoing series here at The Jungalow, where we will be guided through our patterful world by the extremely talented Jeanetta Gonzales, the newest contributor to the Jungalow! Jeanetta is a prolific surface pattern designer / art director and teaches classes at Otis College of Art & Design and Art Center College of Design (see a sampling of her patterns above!) When we sat down to discuss how we could work together at The Jungalow, I thought it would be cool to get more in-depth, and tap into Jeanetta’s deep well of knowledge and not just learn about patterns, but also about the history of patterns, how to make them, and how to use them in the home! So that’s how this new series was born. So excited about this one! Take it away Jeanetta! xx ~Justina
Welcome to Pattern Play! Join me as I take you on my design process and introduce you to a new pattern style every month. For this inaugural Pattern Play post we will be discussing the inspiring designs of William Morris. In late 19th century England, William Morris, known as the founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement, set new standards in design and manufacturing. He helped to bridge the gap between craftsmanship and industry in an effort to provide quality design work to the every day consumer. Morris believed that everything should be hand made, and, out of disdain for poor quality mass-produced products of the Industrial Era, he revived ancient techniques of dyeing, weaving, and block printing. He also had a thing for plants and flowers, just like us jungalistas ;)
Photo: Morris and Co.
A visionary with a perfectionist mindset, Morris believed in functionality, beauty, and form in design. He founded two companies, a collective in 1861 with local artisan peers, and, in 1875, his own company, Morris and Co., which produced items such as embroidery, printed and woven textiles, wallpaper, carpets and tapestries.
Morris’s creative genius was heavily influenced by medieval design, nature, and the romantic flair of the Victorian era. Integrating life with art and a love of the natural world, his patterns have fluid lines and movement and feature common motifs such as flowers, fruit, animals and birds. His use of color was very intentional and imaginative. Mixed from natural materials such as plants and bark, he dyed colors such as yellow-greens, turquoise blue, rust, brown and rose, which helped to define his signature style.
2. top left / top right / bottom left / bottom right
We are fortunate to have William Morris’s work available today. You can find commercial reproductions of his patterns on products such as apparel, wallpaper and housewares. The V&A Museum in London houses a large body of his original pattern designs (I personally have seen them and they are amazing!) as well as a large assortment of products in their shop. JCrew even made a shirt from his “Strawberry Thief” pattern–talk about timeless! His wallpaper and fabrics are used in modern interiors today, making rooms feel chic, warm and romantic.
Meet me here next week when I show you my process for making a pattern inspired by the designs of William Morris!
{Project by Jeanetta Gonzales for The Jungalow. All Morris and Co. images used with permission}
For more Jeanetta, visit her blog and follow her on Instagram.
carrie burdick says
Love William Morris, can’t wait to see how and what you do!
Jeanetta Gonzales says
Thanks, Carrie! I love his work too. It was a fun post to research and design for.
Larissa says
Superb patterns, that one with grey and red reminds me by Moroccan palaces. Lovely, all of them.
Stacy says
Love these patterns. Wish I could find nice area rugs with these patterns.
miranda says
Love William Morris’s patterns, the Arts and Crafts movement in general. What an exciting series to look forward to!
Justina Blakeney says
Thanks Miranda! We’re super excited about it too!
tammyCA says
Love pattern! I once had a booklet of William Morris gift wrap papers from museum store that I decoupaged with. Jeanetta’s patterns very pretty..especially eyeing the botanicals on black ground..is it a fabric? Wallpaper?
Jeanetta Gonzales says
What a great idea using the papers for decoupage! The patterns aren’t currently on products. That would be great though! Thank you!
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