Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful

The Arts and Crafts style of decorating and furniture started as a protest movement against the mass production and clutter of the victorian style in 1859. William Morris is credited as the leading light of this style of decorating. Morris, a textile designer, along with a group of architects and artists decided to change the industry. Their aim was the revival of hand crafts, and the result was a simple domestic style for interiors and furniture.

Morris who said "have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful", produced furniture, wall paper, carpets and textiles, made by traditional methods to the highest standard, while retaining simplicity. Designers used light clear colors and an airier style served as a contrast to the victorian clutter. Furniture for everyday use was simple and plainly made by hand. Typical examples were the unpolished oak settle and rush seated chair.

The Arts and Crafts ideals can be summed up by these two principals, truth to materials and fitness of purpose.