THAT BAFFLING LANDING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 24, 20 April 1927, Page 5

THAT BAFFLING LANDING

I have just seen a stair landing decorated most alluringly by a certain actor-decorator of originality. One wall had been punctuated with tall columns painted in black, drafted out with an eye to proportion. Horizontally in sepia was the form of an old Italian balustrade. Behind was a cloud-flecked sky in blue and in the distance a sketch of towers and castles. At the sides were tall palm trees also in sepia. On the opposite wall the decoration was more formal. It took the shape of a representation of a classic urn of fine outline and flowing decoration. There had been no attempt at realism. The whole was more or less sketchy, yet sufficient was indicated to convey the idea successfully. To furnish the landing a tall Oriental jar in blue and white set on a stand of ebony had been placed in one corner. In front of the window stood a small Empire couch with a curved end gilded and carved, with a footstool of the period placed in front of it, on which reclined a sleeping china cat. We cannot all run to original sketches for wall decoration. But we may achieve delightful effects by means of bold wallpaper panels, antique maps and posters. As landings are not used for protracted periods, it does not matter how old and flamboyant in character the decoration may be. —M.H.