PAPER OR DISTEMPER?

Evening Star, Issue 19666, 20 September 1927, Page 2

PAPER OR DISTEMPER?

Touching on the relative merits of paper and distemper as a medium for decorating the plastered walls of a new house, an oversea technical writer says that this question, like most others of the kind,, must be decided largely hy the individual taste of the owner or occupier. “In most new plaster,” ho adds, “ there is a certain amount of free alkali which becomes neutral in the course of two years or so. The question arises as to what should be clone with the walls in the meantime. They cannot be left bare with any degree of comfort, and if they are either dis- j tempered or paper there is a strong likelihood of the colors fading or being seriously affected by such alkali, unless proper precautions are taken to prevent it. If distemper is used care must be taken to select only those colors which the manufacturers state are safe on now plasters. In most of the pattern books those colors which cannot be so used are distinctly marked. This is not done, however, with wallpapers, which, excepting in the case of “ sanatories,” are always printed in distemper, and therefore may be affected by fresh plaster. Now, as to the precautions to be taken in either case to prevent the discoloration. The first, and best, is unfortunately the most expensive, and is to line the walls with a good, stout lining paper. The free alkali, if it exists, will not strike through this, so that both distemper and wallpaper can safely be applied, and will remain unchanged exactly as though the house were fifty years old. Needless to say, in hanging the paper the joints must not bo lapped, as they would show up conspicuously and spoil the job. Some varieties of lining paper shrink when hung, and if butted joints are used they may open slightly and prove very objectionable. The simplest way of dealing with the job is to lap the joints, say, Sin, and when perfectly dry mb down level with a piece of fine sandpaper. The less expensive, and in some cases almost as cflectivc a method, is to give on tho fresh plaster two coats of sulphate ot zinc dissolved in hot water, but applied cold. About 31b to the gallon may he used, and this will be found to neutralise the alkali and in must cases prevent the discoloration referred to. As to the relative merits, of distemper and wallpaper much may be, said, and in a large number of cases both may he used with excellent effect in the same house, but everything depends upon the size, the light, tho purpose for which the room is to bo used, and the individual taste of tho occupier. If there are many pictures to bo placed upon the wall, a plain distempered background is excellent, particularly if a neat paper border is used in addition, either under the picture rail or above the skirting, or both. It may also be used around the door and window frames, and, if it is desired, in each corner of the room in addition. In a dining or sitting room, wdiere there are very few pictures, a nice pattern paper of a design which suggests a tapestry or fabric may be used with advantage. In a bedroom a primrose yellow or rose pink distemper will be found very cheerful and acceptable, particularly if 5 suitable border is used in addition.