Morris Society Garden Party
August 25, 2007
The William Morris Society including APHA members, Donald Farren, Jill Cypher, Mark Samuels Lasner and Ray Nichols, gathered at the home of artist and landscape architect, Judy Hanks-Henn, for a tour of her Morris-influenced home. Following are a few photos of the gathering and her home. There is no way to do justice at web resolution for the wonderful textures that literally filled every square inch of the rooms. The temperature outside was pushing 100 degrees so we stayed out of the garden which ended up making for way more time to investigate the details of the house along with a much more intimate gathering of the participants.
Check out the gathering's keepsakes near the end of the photos.
Starting at the end of our adventure, Judy supplied a cake that I suspect made William Morris smile wherever he is. Our compliments to the baker.
The whole group gathered for the cake-cutting ceremony.
Judy started a discussion of how people came to feel connected to William Morris. This is Judy starting us out. Mark Samuels Lasner told his wonderful story of a friend of his grandmother who actually knew Morris. You should get him to tell it if you haven't heard it.
Marilyn Ibach telling her story.
--- Cunnins relating her story followed by Ray Nichols who got goosebumps telling his story of his first view of Morris's "Chaucer."
This is a corner of the 'winter' room showing five wallpapers and the cornice. The blue/white plates are both wonderful reminders of their Harvard years as well as connecting them to friends of Morris.
This is the corner of the 'fall' room showing the texture, which were simply everywhere and in literally every object.
This shot is right below the one above showing the textural connections between flowers in vases, lamps, and the wallpapers. Simply a stunning effort.
This door was handpainted by Judy and quotes pop up on all of the doors.
The fireplace provides an additional look at the textures added through the architecture wotj tje fireplace tiles and the brick front on the floor throughout the space.
You would expect a bookcase somewhere full of William Morris books by and about him. This is part of it.
Below are photos of various groupings of those attending and providing additional views of the completed rooms. To quote Judy 'The house is a 'work in progress."
Jill Cypher and John Le Bourgeois in the 'unfinished' kitchen.
Judy produced clothespins representing William Morris and his circle of friends. You can see them pinned to people throughout the photos above. On the left is John Ruskin and next is William Morris. We took a few extras but then we needed to shoot this photo.
Bookmarks using a fragment of a William Morris wallpaper design were letterpress printed by Wallflowers Press to help remember and celebrate the occasion.
And a nice sunflower detail as we were starting to drive away.
It was a great way to spend a hot, Kensington Saturday.
