It was exciting to work on a house that was so unique to the area. The university had the same excitement. More than 100 years ago, William Morris designed wallpaper and textile patterns that remain in production today. The wallpaper and fabric roller shades in the H. Sam Priest Center for International Studies are primarily reproductions of Morris' designs. The furniture in the H. Sam Priest Center for International Studies lounge and conference rooms are reproductions of the Mission Oak furniture that distinguishes the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Furnishings are simple, heavy and almost severe, with minimal carving.
Stickley were the major proponents of Arts and Crafts' furniture in the United States. In 1897, Klimt became the first president of the Vienna Secession, a group of avant-garde artists who promoted modern art for the masses. Klimt's work were selected for the H. Sam Priest Center for International Studies because of his symbolic connection to the Arts and Crafts Movement. He was born in Vienna, the location of one of Webster University's four European campuses.