Studio: international art (5.1895)

The Decoration of the Suburban House

parent in the framed partition where the wood-
work may be shown, and such a treatment will
form a welcome relief to the paper and paint
which is generally regarded as the inevitable and
only means of decoration.

Such a method is, however, readily capable of
abuse, and should be used only under the influence
of that delicate sense of the fitness of things which
should govern the designing and adornment of the
house to its smallest detail.

The internal use of brickwork will thus be felt
to be appropriate in the ingle-nook described in the
previous article, and the use of half-timbered
framed partitions in connection with internal brick

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"tropical" wall paper by m. h. b. scott

16

or stone work in the hall and elsewhere, gives a
texture to the walls which helps to enhance the
more delicate character of those portions set apart
for decorative treatment.

The solid constructive character of heavy timber
beams and posts will also help to suggest the
same homely simplicity, and will prove far more
satisfactory in their effect than the most elaborate
materials for wall covering, combined with the
usual joiners' casings and the concealment of all
constructive features.

There should indeed be no arbitrary division
between construction and decoration of such a
house as we are endeavouring to describe here.
Everywhere construction is decorative and decora-
tion constructive, and when the builder's work is
done the paper-hanger and the painter only help,
by pattern and colour, to put the finishing touches
to a construction which has already gone far to
make the building beautiful.

It must not be inferred from the foregoing
remarks that the author undervalues the more
superficial methods of decoration involved in the
use of paint or paper, but it is suggested that
decoration, properly so called, should not be alone
concerned with the papering of walls or the gilding
of cornices, but should extend its influence over
the vital structure of the building itself.

Passing on now to the consideration of super-
ficial wall treatment, oak panelling must first be
mentioned as perhaps the most satisfactory in its
effect, but economical limitations will hardly allow
of its extensive use in the suburban house.

A cheaper form of panelling may be constructed
with oak panels combined with a framing of pitch
pine, or the whole may be carried out in deal,
stained green or some other appropriate colour.

Another very suitable material for wall decoration
is provided by the arras cloths made by Liberty &
Co. and other firms, and very rich effects may be
gained by the use of the class of materials which
depend for their effect on ornament in low relief.
Of these the Tynecastle tapestry is especially note-
worthy, not alone for its colours and texture, but
also for the sweetness of its modelling which com-
pares very favourably with the mechanical sharpness
of some of the more popular materials.

The wall-paper will, however, prove to be the
most desirable material for those whose means are
limited; but, before proceeding to describe the
designs by the author which are here illustrated, it
will be necessary to answer a question which at
once suggests itself. Is the wall-paper to form a
background for pictures only, or are the pictures to