The Studio yearbook of decorative art (1906)

Interior Arrangement and Decoration

in tone, which brings them, as it were, into the same is of the first-floor corridor, to which an air of
plane with the foreground. By this device the spaciousness is imparted by the barrel vault run-
several parts attain to a closer relation with one ning from end to end, except where, opposite to
another, and the decorative effect of the whole the rise of the staircase to the next floor, its
composition is adequately ensured. course is interrupted by a domical roof.

In a subsequent section is illustrated part of a And now for a word on the subject of ceilings, to
room with plaster decorations by Mr. G. P. which no more than passing allusions have yet been
Bankart. The frieze contains moulded ornaments, made. For the sake of comfort and habitableness
but the principal feature is a large modelled panel it is an absolute essential that a ceiling be sound-
enclosed in a rope-twist border, representing, in proof. Therefore, picturesque as the effect un-
low relief, fowlers snaring birds. The subject doubtedly is of an unplastered ceiling, with the
affords ample opportunity for ornamental treat- beams and rafters—the backbone and ribs, as it
ment. The durability of this kind of decoration were, of the organism—showing, it is necessary that
is evidenced by the remains of the reliefs on the there be a double floor above, and even then it is
dismantled walls of old Hardwick Hall. This best to have a layer of felt between the two sets of
stucco was never calculated to encounter outdoor boards. This precaution being taken (which has
exposure, and yet, for two hundred years or more, the further advantage of rendering a ceiling dust-
it has withstood the adverse forces of wind, sun, proof and also, in great measure, waterproof as well)
rain, frost, and the unchecked ravages of ivy one is free to commend the aesthetic attractions
growth. of ceilings like those shown in Messrs. J. B.

Panels of modelled and coloured plaster, by & W. Cockayne's billiard-room (p. 48); in Messrs.
Messrs. Gerald Moira and Jenkins, are intro- Waring's music-room (p. 25) ; or in the hall at
duced above the mantelshelf and in the frieze Wingfield, Bournemouth (p. 3). In all these cases,
of the room (p. 14), of which Mr. Edgar Wood, of course, structural conditions determine that the
A.R.I.B.A., undertook the general decoration and roof overhead shall consist of a series of parallel
furnishing. The oak furniture, of simple but hand- rafters, all running in one and the same direction,
some form, is embellished with ebony, holly and 'Where, however, the roofing is ceiled the decorator
stained-wood inlay. has a much wider range of choice. He can divide

In the hall at the Institute of Mechanical the ceiling into panels by means of rafters (which
Engineers (p. 5), marble-lined walls are shown. may or may not be necessarily structural) crossing
Broadly spaced masses of coloured marbles, con- one another transversely, the intervening spaces
trasted with white, are here employed to advantage. being left plain white, distempered, or treated with
The mantelpiece, a some-
what massive architectural
structure, is saved from the
appearance of heaviness
by being executed entirely
in white marble. Marble
again is introduced for
the balusters and other
parts of the staircase of
Colchester Town Hall
(p. 9), designed by Mr.
John Belcher, architect
and A.R.A. The illustra-
tion represents a simple
treatment of plaster work,
suitable for interior
decoration. It is, more-
over, brightened by a
stained - glass window;
while the pavement is of

Portland stone, laid to a sideboard and chair in span.sh designed by

pattern. The view given mahogany inlaid with holly and ebony edgar wood, a.r.i.b.a.

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