Again, in the category of "you might be a William Morris addict if..."
My fiance and I were watching The Spiderwick Chronicles tonight, finally for the first time, (I've read the books, have met Holly Black in person, and am rather faerie lore obsessed) and I was distracted from the movie by the house itself. I absolutely love old magical houses in movies (another favorite, Practical Magic, comes to mind) and this house was just calling out my name.
It was easy to spot William Morris' most popular-selling wallpaper of all time, 'Willow' featured in this scene:
...but then later on during the climax of the film, I was distracted by the quick shots of the walls in this room, which seem to be covered in William Morris' 'Sunflowers.'
Yes...I was distracted from a cool movie by the wallpaper. ;) And now I wonder how much more I'd notice upon viewing it again. If you watch this movie and spot any other Arts & Crafts/William Morris touches, please share!
I've not seen the movie yet, but do recall the glimpses of the house in previews. Faerie Magazine has articles about Holly in both the Winter '07 and Spring '08 issues. The house gets mentioned too:)
ReplyDeleteI think William Morris' organic wallpapers and prints are perfect for conveying an otherworldly feel as they transport us to the natural world so easily.
And yes, it is similar to the Italiante Practical Magic House - one of my favorite movie "props" of all time!
Oh dear...now I want to see those articles. It's so hard to find a copy of Faerie Magazine anywhere around here, but I balk at the cost of a subscription...
ReplyDeleteI agree that his wallpapers were ideal for the house. They create the feeling of ordered chaos that one would find in Faerie, and bring the great outdoors inside. I wish I knew where they found that sunflowers print though...I haven't found it available anywhere online in those dark rich colors.
We need a big old house.
amazing wallpaper
ReplyDeleteI was curious about this, so I did a quick google search. The Charles Rupert design firm did the decorating for Spiderwick Chronicles. Charles Rupert is located in Victoria and they have done the interior design for a lot of films with a period feel, including Little Women and Spiderwick Chronicles. If you watch Little Women again, you'll notice a lot of William Morris Wallpaper, even though it's terribly anachronistic!
ReplyDeleteNeat post!
~Margareet
Margaret, thank you so much for the info! I'll now have to rewatch Little Women (the Winona Ryder version?)
ReplyDeleteYes, the Winona Ryder version of Little Women! ;). There have been a lot of versions of Little Women!
ReplyDeleteOh! I am SO glad to have found this blog! I have been obsessed with all things Arts and Crafts for years and years and years.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to this entry, I just saw 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' and just about leapt out of my chair when I saw the interior of the house for the first time! When I spotted the Willow pattern wallpaper, I immediately thought 'I bet Rupert Design did that house!' There's a carpet that screams Morris/Rupert...that I lust after with such fervor...
Thanks so much for having this blog! I'm going to add you to my bookmark list. :)
I nearly forgot...recently I was in a fabric shop and discovered that the company Moda is producing Morris reproduction prints on quilter's cotton! The line is called 'A Morris Garden'. I checked Moda's home page and they don't have a lot listed, but if you run a google search, there seem to be quite a lot of quilt shops that still have bits of the line.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking curtains...AFFORDABLE curtains!
Welcome, islenskr! I'd love to know what rug you're referring to? What scene did you see it in?
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much for the heads-up on the Moda Morris Garden fabric! I especially like this one:
http://www.quiltedfox.com/Fabrics/fw24.jpg