'The House of Friendship and Creativity'

[smokingboot]

Took a friend to the Red House yesterday, where the above quote introduced the hope and happiness of the place; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_House,_Bexleyheath#/media/File:Philip_Webb%27s_Red_House_in_Upton.jpg

She's been in a spot of bother, but her love of all things pre-raphaelite sparked a little; the Red House doesn't have as much actual stuff as other Morris dedicated spots around the country, but as a home for 'friendship and creativity' it housed the beginnings of so much; the intertwined relationships of Siddal, Rosetti, Burne-Jones, Burden, and of course Webb and Morris themselves; experiments in painting tiles, glass and porcelain or clay, painting ceilings and murals; these latter were group efforts, lords and ladies in medieval splendour, all with the faces of the friends themselves. One such elegant grouping has the addition of Rosetti's wombat sitting on his lap at the feast, while some gorgeous muse based on Siddal or Burden, presents a chicken with a feathered dart through its neck. Among the ceiling decorations resides an original smiley face. People were happy and possibly more than a little stoned in this house.

Morris was yet to create the textile and wallpaper designs that he's remembered for, but examples of these are everywhere in the place. I hope it charmed my friend, who is in a difficult position. Her mood is low because of awful circumstances; conversely, making those circumstances better becomes impossible if she lets her agency be trapped by low mood. My suggestion of counselling has fallen on resolutely deaf ears and really all I could do was help her have a nice day. I think it worked.

So thank you Mr Morris.