The Arts and Crafts movement is in reaction to the industrialization, and it’s initial negative effects on craftsmanship and on society. The movement is strongly associated with the Pre-Raphaelite art movement, and draws (visual) inspiration from the middle ages and the quiet countryside. John Ruskin, William Morris are the names most often associated with the movement, but there are a host of artists, architects and artisans who made the ideas into a movement. The products of the Arts and Crafts movement were often quite expensive and as a result reserved for the wealthy.

The Red House, shown above (and below), was designed by the architect Philip Webb (under the influence of William Morris), who was a close friend of William and Jane Morris. It was built from 1859-1860 in the neighborhood of Bexleyheath which at the time was outside of London. It was built in the Neo-Gothic style, and the interior was furnished by Webb and decorated by the Morrises and includes murals by Edward Burne-Jones.

All in all the romantic Arts and Crafts Movement was responsible for inspiring a whole number of artists and it forms the roots of Art Nouveau.