Every once in a while, in the Arts & Crafts World, you come across a little gem. The Emery Walker House at 7 Hammersmith Terrace in London is such a gem: a completely unspoilt Late Victorian interior filled with original Morris & Co furnishings and artefacts relating to William Morris and his circle.
7 Hammersmith Terrace was the home of printer and antiquary Sir Emery Walker, from 1903 to 1933, who decorated the Georgian terrace with wallpapers and fabrics from Morris & Co, the interiors firm belonging to his dear friend and mentor William Morris. Since 1903 the house has only been lived in by 3 people: Sir Emery, his daughter Dorothy and her companion. The interiors remain untouched from the turn of the century including a magnificent wall hanging of William Morris's 'Bird' textile, original 'Willow Bough', 'Apple' and 'Daisy' wallpapers and an abundance of furniture designed by Morris & Co partner Philip Webb. The rug in the Sitting Room is William Morris's bedroom rug, a gift to Sir Emery from Jane Morris after the death of her husband. Artefacts on display include William Morris's reading glasses and a lock of his hair taken on the day he died.
Upon her marriage to Henry Halliday Sparling, May Morris lived next door at number 8 Hammersmith Terrace. The Walker and Morris families were close friends - Sir Emery helped William Morris set up The Kelmscott Press - and May designed and embroidered a beautiful bedspread for Dorothy that remains on display in her bedroom.
The Emery Walker House is open for timed pre-booked tours from April to October and is well worth a visit www.emerywalker.co.uk