Rabbit Rabbit -- Hello February

The phrase rabbit rabbit is a long-held superstition thought to bring about good luck. But it's not to be uttered just any old random day. If you say it on the first day of the month, before any other words come out of your mouth, then luck will be coming your way.

I have always loved this rabbit pattern in navy blue designed by William Morris in 1882.  I have seen the wallpaper but never the fabric. The pattern was a tribute to the Uncle Remus books, first published in 1881, and a favourite of the Morris family.

True Secret of Happiness

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.

William Morris Wallpaper in Green

What a beautiful all-over floral design in green and white. William Morris hand-blocked wallpaper is always lovely, isn't it?

'The Angels' by Walter Crane

I am somewhat obsessed with the artwork of Walter Crane. He was friends with William Morris and I love the Pre-Raphaelites of the Arts and Crafts Movement. I found this image on Pinterest.

I voted today in the midterm election but it's way too early to get a feel for who won. The polls don't close in NJ until 8PM. I went this morning in the pouring rain.

Broadway Tower Folly: Cotswolds UK

Broadway Tower

Broadway Tower lies prominently on top of a hill close to, and overlooking, the village of Broadway in Worcestershire. It was built for the 6th Earl of Coventry as a folly on his Springhill Estate, and was completed in 1799. The Tower is in the shape of a castle. It is 65 feet tall and its top (at 1089 feet above sea level) is said to be the highest point in the Cotswolds.

As with so many follies or curiosities, more than one reason has been given for its creation. The most likely is that it was used long ago as a signaling beacon since it was visible both from Springhill and also from Croome Court, another family estate some 20 miles away near Worcester.

In later years Broadway Tower was used as a holiday home. One occupant was William Morris, relatively well known (amongst other achievements) for designing fashionable wallpaper - some of which can be seen inside the Tower today.

Broadway was the first town in the Cotswolds I visited back in the early 1970s. The Broadway Tower was closed and I did not get to go inside. Now I want to go back and see the wallpaper!!!

Photo by Richard on Flickr found here

William Morris Wallpaper Designs

Brother Rabbit - William Morris - 1882

Marigold, William Morris, 1875
photo credits: Metropolitan Museum of Art

William Morris Wallpaper

I love this pattern. Wallpaper by William Morris called “Marigold”. via

William Morris Illustrated Quote

Incident of Nature by Owen Gildersleeve

An illustration for the Royal Mail's 2011 Year Book, to introduce a chapter on the William Morris stamp collection. This quote is taken from one of Morris' 1892 lectures 'Town and Country', and the design is based on an amalgamation of Morris' patterns.

William Morris Stamp Set | Royal Mail

I've said it once and I'll say it again---The best stamps in the world are issued by the Royal Mail in the UK. This William Morris Stamp Set that was issued on May 5, 2011 is especially wonderful.

Note card sets are available too.
Read about The Million Dollar Stamp.

Rossetti Oil painting: 'The Day Dream' in The Victoria and Albert Museum

The Day Dream painted in 1880 by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood painter, artist and poet. The sitter for this painting was Jane Morris, the wife of William Morris, who often posed for Rossetti. At the time this was painted Rossetti was involved in an illicit love affair with Jane. He shows her sitting in the branches of a sycamore tree and holding a sprig of honeysuckle. This sweet-smelling climbing plant symbolized the bonds of love for the Victorians, and Rossetti may have included it here as a subtle reference to the relationship between artist and model. Rossetti was also a poet, and the title relates to his poem of the same name which ends:

She dreams; till now on her forgotten book  

Drops the forgotten blossom from her hand.

 This painting is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. 

Custom Architectural Bookplates

I've always loved bookplates and have some nice ones in my collection. Wouldn't it be nice to have a rendering of your home and garden for all of your books on architecture and gardening? via: teaching literacy

The bookplate depicts Kelmscott Manor, the home of William Morris. When you click on the website be sure to click on the HOME tab too for more wonderful images of this English Country Home.