This design of roses, pinks and Acanthus leaves was originally produced in 1881 by Morris & Co. as a woven silk damask for the Blue Room of St. James's Palace in London. St. James's Palace was a residence of kings and queens of England for over 300 years.

Morris's firm had already done work for the Palace in 1866-67. This silk design was used as a wallcovering, and also used as curtains. Morris sold it for several years as a wall covering, also using it in the Small Drawing Room of Stanmore Hall in 1888-96.