WALLPAPERS THAT SOLVE MANY PROBLEMS.

Mt Benger Mail, 16 November 1938, Page 4

WALLPAPERS THAT SOLVE MANY PROBLEMS.

WELT i SZILVULLY CHOSEN TUB'S C .i3EO-‘ /■- CHvABC i.UEAL DEFECTS. WJlp. per sldifuLy chosen is prob„.b'. t:-e ust effectual single corrective of a.aiuleclural defects which is offered by decorative materials. It can apparently raise or lower ceilings, expa .d M.r'.l rooms, or contract large ..•nos: it •• eddishes balance where it ' ' ■, a"d brings in either sun- ' ’’-dow. This is because no 'on such large v;r iT-'riors. Paint, al•’o a g-eat deal by the :■ i) i- graduation, lacks the added fa o of pattern which gives p’n'r much -if ; ts potency. P oh! 's are the spice of life, and our iul" l’ ! ien c is continually whetted bv <h- fac* that we must solve them, la ‘he field of interior decoration, de-f-c's n~ch : t ! c f ure supply us with stimn’at’ig (>•>•)- t mities to be ingenious. If a coTng see7iis to settle down upon n->- ’•■•i’- we ean raise it, in off ct. 1 •<! Mte walls with perp ■ I'- ’i • s is up-climbing vine or fiu—l uat i. We can complete the ill ='on V- nutting on the ceiling itpe’f - oale paper, either plain or with tiny di’s or stars. To seemingly lo'-w a ceiling whose height seems too loft”, or which is too formal for its furnishings, we can do the contrary—use a horizontal stripe or pattern for the walls and cover the ceiling with a much darker paper—say maroon or p’nm. 0 GIVE SPACE TO THE SMALL ROOM. The colours that give a small room an appearance of space are white, pale grey, chartreuse, apricot; indeed, all the pastels. The designs that confirm this illusion are small ones that go on and on without forming a continuous

pattern, thereby failing to attract much attention. They may be called selfeliminating patterns. Some rooms are so large that they can be brought into unity only by the use of papers with continuous patterns, whose long and interwoven lines tie in the farthest corner with the nearest.

When openings are clustered on one wall and the opposite wall remains unbroken by doors or windows, the room is likely to tip down, apparently, on the side which carries the woodwork. To overcome this, an impression of weight should be given the bare wall by an allover pattern in rich colouring. At the same time the spaces between the openings opposite need tk> be covered with light-coloured paper in a widely-spaced set design. This should repeat somewhere, in very small measure, the basic colour of the opposite side, perhaps using it in a lighter tone. According to the problems offered by the room in question, the two remaining walls may match the heavy or the light papery Contrast-papering of walls gives many opportunities for the correction of defects, and also for dramatising such features as alcoves and niches. TO BRING LIGHT TO DAEKISH ROOMS. Light, sunshiny colours and open patterns are effective in bringing light into darkish rooms. This is the problem that faces most apartmenthouse dwellers. In the country, specially in new developments that have not yet been landscaped, the need may bo ti> introduce shadow. Dark, clear greens, browns and plum are effective for this purpose. Water-resistant and washable papers have captured special rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, and nurseries. Bright colour contrasts are usually acceptable, and the designs are likely to express the room—presenting us with aquatic animals and birds; with funny little vegetables and pots and pans; and Mother GOoso figures. In

purchasing them one should learn whether they must be carefully bathed with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, which is the case with the waterresistant type; or if they are actually washable and can be scrubbed. Before papers were manufaetuerd which would endure such treatment they were often protected by clear varnish, but this coating makes them difficult to remove. FLORAL PATTERNS ARE FAVOUR ITES. Floral patterns always hold their own as the great favourites of the larger public. These are to be found in the papers of all periods, and will tie up with the 18th century as well as with the 20th. In the earlier area Chinese motifs introducing birds, mountains, streams and figures in alliance with flowering trees and shrubs, were great favourites and are just as lovely today.

The newest examples show many oflcolours, and dusty, muted tones. One is pleased to find that design is steadily and consistently improving in the lower price ranges, and that excellent designers are employed by all the important companies to originate fine patterns for homes of moderate incomes. Several thousand new designs are produced every year.