Durable Colour Solutions for Origin Furniture

Project Overview

Kelmscott Manor, the inspirational Cotswold retreat of William Morris, remains one of the most significant locations associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement. The historic manor continues to welcome visitors from around the world, offering a glimpse into the surroundings that inspired many of Morris’ most influential designs, writings, and ideas on conservation.

As part of the visitor experience, furniture was required for the Manor’s seminar room that would provide practical functionality while complementing the building’s rich heritage and distinctive aesthetic.

Origin Furniture’s Mojo Standard chairs were selected for the project, providing a contemporary, stackable seating solution suitable for flexible learning and event spaces. However, colour played a crucial role in ensuring the finished chairs felt at home within this unique historic setting.

The Challenge

While the Mojo Standard chair offers a modern design and practical functionality, the furniture needed to sit comfortably within a building renowned for its connection to colour, craftsmanship, and design.

The challenge was to create a colour combination that respected the heritage of Kelmscott Manor while maintaining a fresh and contemporary appearance for modern visitors and users of the space.

The Solution

Drawing inspiration directly from William Morris’ iconic colour palette, the chairs were customised using:

• Mouse Grey frame
• May Green seat and backrest

These carefully selected colours reflect the natural tones and botanical influences found throughout Morris’ work, helping to create a subtle connection between the furniture and its historic surroundings.

The result is a seating solution that balances contemporary functionality with timeless design inspiration, allowing the furniture to enhance the space without competing with its character.

Sustainability at the Core

In addition to aesthetics, sustainability formed an important part of the project.

Origin Furniture’s polypropylene products are manufactured in the UK using more than 50% recycled content. The chairs are produced entirely from polypropylene, enabling them to be recycled at the end of their service life and supporting a more circular approach to product design.

By combining recycled materials with durable construction and timeless colour choices, the project demonstrates how sustainable furniture can be successfully integrated into heritage environments.

The Role of Colour

This project highlights the power of colour in product design.

Colour is often one of the first things people notice, influencing how products are perceived and how well they integrate into their intended environment. In this case, carefully selected colours helped create a visual link between modern furniture and one of Britain’s most celebrated design legacies.

At Eclipse Colours, we work with manufacturers across a wide range of sectors to develop colour solutions that do more than simply enhance appearance. Whether inspired by a brand identity, natural environment, heritage setting, or product trend, the right colour can transform the final result.

Project Outcome

The completed installation provides Kelmscott Manor with practical, durable seating that supports the needs of modern visitors while remaining sympathetic to the building’s historic character.

By combining thoughtful colour selection, sustainable materials, and British manufacturing, the project demonstrates how modern polymer products can successfully complement even the most historic of settings.

Looking for a Colour Solution Inspired by Your Project?

Eclipse Colours supplies colour masterbatch, additive masterbatch, and polymer compounds to manufacturers across the UK. Our technical team can help develop bespoke colours tailored to your product, application, and brand requirements.

Contact our team to discuss your next project.