When Swyft collaborated with Morris & Co last year, we readily labelled it the best Morris & Co collaboration to date. If you were also a fan, you’ll be pleased to know that Swyft has just dropped its second Morris & Co collection (and it’s even better than last time!)

Available to shop now, the second Swyft x Morris & Co collection features four new designs from the Morris & Co archive: Pimpernel, Seasons by May, Wandle and Arbutus. With Swyft known for producing some of the best sofas available on the market, you can expect to see these stunning designs reimagined into quality pieces of furniture and home accessories.

Following the success of last year’s partnership, Swyft’s latest collection combines the timeless patterns of William Morris with Swyft’s own modern, practical values.

The four Morris & Co prints will be available on a selection of classic Swyft designs. This includes the Storage 01, Storage 02, Storage 03, Model 05 Loveseat & Ottoman, Model 08 Sofa Bed, Bed 02, Model 02, Chair 01, Chair 03 and Cushion 01. More styles are expected to be announced. Across the collection, prices start at £59 for Cushion 01 and rise to £2,499 for the Model 08 Sofa Bed.

‘The success of our first Swyft x Morris & Co. collection showed us just how much appetite there is for bringing these iconic patterns into contemporary homes. For this second collection, we wanted to build on that success while giving the collaboration a fresh feel, which is where the rich, low-pile velvet comes in,’ says Keiran Hewkin, Founder and CEO of Swyft.

‘The four new prints each have their own character, and while the Swyft team is pretty evenly divided on a favourite, Pimpernel has a slight majority. We’re excited to see which one customers choose.’

Last year, I agreed that the Swyft x Morris & Co collaboration was one of the best William Morris homeware collections available to shop, and this year, I stand by that sentiment even more so.

The four new patterns each have a sumptuous, autumnal look, opting for colourways that are both richer and deeper-looking than the previous drop. Pimpernel, for example, is one of the boldest prints, featuring terracotta blooms and sage green stems across a burgundy background.

Sara Hesikova, Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor, has already seen the new collection in person and was left impressed.

‘The first Swyft x Morris & Co. collab did really well, so I’m not surprised the brands decided to do it again. But this time, they went bigger and bolder, learning from their experience with the first drop where the boldest, most quintessentially Morris & Co. print was the clear customer favourite,’ she said.

‘This time around, the colour palette is much cosier and autumnal, which is perfect as we’re moving into the cosy season. And I think the burgundy-toned Pimpernel and Seasons by May prints are going to be the most popular.’

Swfyt is not the only brand nailing Morris & Co collaborations right now; here are a few more styles I’m loving right now.

Other Morris & Co collections

William Morris prints will never go out of style, and with Swyft known for their high-quality designs, it’s a winning combination for your home.

I was sat on the sofa last night considering going to bed when I realised, in horror, that it was only 7:30pm. That’s right, the dark evenings are upon us, and as my open-plan kitchen is so poorly set up for cosy evenings, I knew I needed to line up a payday lamp purchase – stat.

So naturally, I started browsing my favourite spot, Dunelm, for affordable buys that feel like a genuinely justifiable purchase – whether it’s payday week or the week before.

This lamp I spotted made me stop in my tracks. I’m a lover of country-inspired home decor and I love high-end brands that embody this aesthetic, but over £100 for a lamp isn’t in my budget. For just £35 for this Posie lamp, however, I can definitely commit – and it looks just like one from a much more premium retailer.

When I spotted the textured, ceramic base of Dunelm’s Posie lamp, I couldn’t help but think it reminded me of much more expensive, similar styles.

The Stucco lamp from Pooky is the perfect example of how these textured lamp bases are trending right now. Living spaces, whether a sitting room or an open plan kitchen, are benefitting from a more-is-more approach, with plenty of textures, patterns and colours creating an inviting space.

The contrasting colour scheme of the pink shade and green base is an easy way to add a fun pop of colour to a kitchen colour scheme – it will look right at home in pale pink or earthy green spaces.

The Dunelm Posie lamp comes in two sizes – the smaller size is £35 and the larger style is £69. which is still much more affordable than other lamps of a similar size.

I have my eye on the smaller size to add a warm glow to dark corners of my small kitchen. Fabric shades are controversial in cooking spaces, but I think as long as they’re away from appliances, there’s no reason why they can’t be used.

These ruched, fabric shades have been seen everywhere as of late, and they’re an easy way to incorporate a new pattern into a scheme. Pattern layering can be tricky, so trying it out in smaller, more affordable formats can ease you in.

I’m all about finding small additions to a kitchen that don’t break the bank. Updating decorative touches breathes new light into a space (quite literally), and it’s even better when the piece is practical too.

As the nights draw in, focusing on task lighting around a kitchen will make it feel cosy and welcoming, and reduce the requirement of having the big light on.

What’s even better is when this has a dual function – it adds illumination but also adds to a layered, beautifully curated scheme.

Shop more textured lamps

Autumn is upon us, so it’s time to start thinking more carefully about our kitchen lighting ideas – these tips will provide plenty of inspiration for new projects.

Since the Government announced plug-in solar panels were legal to buy and use in August this year, generating solar power at home is more accessible than ever before. However, this doesn’t mean that you can go and position your plug-in solar panels wherever you fancy – in fact, experts are warning against this one place in particular.

Now you can buy plug-in solar panels to harness solar energy without relying on traditional roof panels. They’re less expensive than rooftop panels and better suited to rentals and flats.

This all sounds great, right? And those of us looking to generate solar power may be eyeing up our shed roofs as a prime spot for plug-in solar. But it’s not, and positioning your plug-in solar panel here could even be dangerous.

Can you put a plug-in solar panel on a shed?

In the same way you shouldn’t put a plug-in solar panel on a fence, you also shouldn’t position one on a roof, as they are both made of wood.

‘Homeowners may want to put a plug-in solar panel on their shed roof because of the angle the solar panel would lie. It’s best practice to have a tilt of around 30 to 40 degrees to ensure the sunlight is being captured properly, and a shed roof may provide that. However, homeowners are encouraged to consider wall-mounted solar panels or another surface, such as a balcony, to house their solar panels,’ says Alvaro Iturmendi, Uswitch solar energy expert.

‘Plug-in solar panels shouldn’t be installed on anything wooden, including gates, sheds, or shed roofs, due to the potential increased fire risk. This is due to components potentially overheating and causing a fire to start, with timber being a very combustible material.’

As you are dealing with electricals, it’s important to ensure your electricals are not in constant contact with flammable materials, like wood, as excess heat generated can act as a fire risk. However, if your shed is not made from wood, it could be used to house your plug-in solar panel, but it is worth checking with a professional first – especially if you have older wiring or need an outdoor socket installed.

‘Before installing anything, check the direction of the shed roof and how much shade it receives from nearby trees and buildings. You should also inspect the shed itself, ensuring the structure is in good condition, and the roof is strong enough to carry the additional weight,’ says Garden shed expert Sam Jenkinson, from garden building retailer Tiger.

‘You’ll also need a suitable mains socket to safely plug the solar panel into. The cable run should be short and safe, without extension leads stretching across the garden.

‘Once installed, each system must be registered with your local Distribution Network Operator. It’s also important to check whether you need permission from your landlord, freeholder or your local council before installing.’

Shop compliant plug-in solar panels

While plug-in solar offer ample opportunity to save energy and money on your bills. However, safety should always be your number one priority.