45 Days in London: Day 30

The William Morris Gallery

This morning was engulfed by accounting...ugh. But it makes it feel all the more wonderful when you finally escape the flat!

We rode out to Walthamstow to see the William Morris Gallery. The V&A owns his childhood home, a replication of his workshop, his garden, and has opened it all up to the public free of charge.

Oh, how we loved seeing his workspace, his philosophy, his business plan, his design process...and so many beautiful drawings, wallpaper designs and tapestries! I could have stayed there all day, opening drawers and studying color palettes. Jeff bought a beautiful William Morris tie. (The birthday celebration continues!)

"That thing which I understand by real art is the expression by man of his pleasure in labour."

—William Morris

And of course, Morris being the father of the Arts and Crafts movement, it also tugged at our Pasadena heartstrings. Sometimes I still miss our homes in the Historic Highlands, and being part of a community that values great architecture and all things Craftsman (not talking about the tools from Sears!). I also loved seeing the work of his successor, Frank Brangwyn. Gorgeous paintings!

The gardens back up onto Lloyd Park, where we spent some time feeding the ducks, and just sat on a bench in the shade and read our books for a while. (One of the perks of being here long-term.)

We also took a quick peek inside their town library, where they have some first editions of Morris's books, and a display of his stained glass.

Then it was home, to a lovely Waitrose dinner of pork tenderloin and cauliflower gratin with roasted vegetables. Ah, life is good.