I wanted to like it more than I did. (Let's face it, you have to be keen to trek all the way to Walthamstow.) Never having been before, I don't know what it was like before the revamp.
It must have been a lovely house in Morris's day. But it is completely devoid of atmosphere and I didn't feel any sense of the man. (Anyway, he only lived there in his youth. It is really William Morris's mother's house.)
It feels more like a William Morris Visitor Centre; you can feel that unsympathetic hand of local authority ownership. (I mean, red bean-bags for seating ... are they useful?Are they beautiful?)
So glad I saw the collection when it was displayed in stunning surroundings last year.
But in future I'd prefer to visit here.
4 comments:
Such a shame that you were disappointed Mary. Thank you for the links in your post, there is so much to be seen!
Well, it made a Sunday afternoon outing, Toffeeapple. I haven't seen any reviews yet so will be interested to see what others make of it.
The Hammersmith location does look quite inviting. Reminds me of visiting Carlyle's house, definitely a more personal way to learn about a person than a sterile setting.
By the way, thanks for reminding me that I have a very expensive Morris needlepoint kit stuffed in an upstairs closet...unfinished.
Sorry to arouse guilty memories, Darlene!
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