Design Inspiration
For William Morris, it was the riverbanks and meadows surrounding Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire that fuelled his creativity. His timeless Willow Bough pattern owes its design to the trees that grew along the waterways close to his garden. Meanwhile, Edward Bawden was drawn to British towns and cities, as well as the countryside, and his most famous works immortalise London's landmarks, especially its markets. The hills and vales of Dorset and Sussex were a constant source of inspiration for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so it's no surprise that some of Vanessa Bell's most significant paintings are of Studland Beach. For centuries, designers and artists have turned to the world around them as a source of inspiration for their work.
What of today's artists and designers? Where do they seek inspiration? Are they influenced by the same places as the artists of the past, and what is it about these buildings, cities and streets that sparks creativity?
Helen Parker
Creative director at deVOL Spitalfields, Lanhydrock and Shugborough Hall
I think the actual building itself is probably the most influential part of any design. I have a particular love of the Georgian houses
