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Arts and Crafts-inspired prints and patterns are a natural fit for a period home and have experienced a revival in popularity in recent years. At its core, the Arts and Crafts movement was about much more than mere decoration – it was also a reaction against mass manufacturing, and a concern about the loss of traditional, age-old craft skills and decorative arts.

Influenced by a medieval aesthetic, its many designs and prints celebrated the beauty of the natural world, and one name synonymous with the movement is that of pioneering designer William Morris. His eponymous firm, Morris & Co, created numerous stylised motifs of flora and fauna that have become iconic in the story of British interiors and feel as relevant today as they did 160 years ago – Acanthus, Anemone, Marigold, Willow Boughs and Strawberry Thief – to name but a few.

From faithfully reproduced archive prints in fresh colourways to new patterns that pay homage to Victorian originals, our decorating feature (page 22) highlights the plethora of wallpapers, fabrics and accessories that can add an Arts and Crafts touch to any room of the home – testament to the versatility of the designs.

Moving from botanical motifs to the real things, now that the season of gardening has arrived in full, it is time to focus on herbaceous borders. Andy Mills, head gardener at Blenheim Palace, offers his expert advice on how to prepare and plan garden beds for a riot of colour, texture and form that will carry you on a sea of blooms from spring to summer (page 132), while we also reveal how to grow breathtaking wisteria (page 127). Happy reading.