DOI issue:
The British Empire
DOI article:Jones, Sydney R.: Cottage interiors and decoration
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21779#0022
COTTAGE INTERIORS AND DECORATION
possible from the walls. The actual walls offer many opportunities for
decoration. If they are to be papered the final effects will be determined
by the choice and taste of the occupier of the cottage. But at the present
time coloured plaster walls are more in favour than papered ones, a
fashion supported by both wisdom and artistic propriety. It is therefore
. necessary to secure plastering of a texture and finish that will be agree-
able to look upon. That delightful variety of surface that is common
to old internal plastering is strangely absent from most modern work.
The merit of the earlier plastering is explained by the fact that cen-
turies ago the qualities of plaster were appreciated and its just uses
understood. A material that is plastic and granular by nature has charac-
teristics of its own which should be thoroughly comprehended by those
who use it. It was by their knowledge of this truth, and the well-consi-
dered use of the medium in which they worked, that the old plasterers
achieved success in all they undertook, from plain walling to modelled
enrichments, cornices, and
ceilings. Modern plaster-
work is often as bad as it can
be. A dead mechanical finish
robs it of all interest. The
moulded work, true and ac-
curate, suggests wood,stone,
or cast-iron rather than a
pliant, granular substance.
Workmen must not always
be blamed for this unsatis-
factory state of affairs. The
fault is not wholly theirs. If,
by proper instruction, they
are guided aright they fre-
quently surprise by the good
quality of their work. A
demand for plaster-work
that is characterized by the
true qualities proper to it
can and will be met ir it
arises.
The colours of the walls
should harmonize with the
general scheme. Each set of
circumstances presents a
new problem and has its own
solution. But, generally
speaking, a multiplicity
8
WINDOW-SEAT
possible from the walls. The actual walls offer many opportunities for
decoration. If they are to be papered the final effects will be determined
by the choice and taste of the occupier of the cottage. But at the present
time coloured plaster walls are more in favour than papered ones, a
fashion supported by both wisdom and artistic propriety. It is therefore
. necessary to secure plastering of a texture and finish that will be agree-
able to look upon. That delightful variety of surface that is common
to old internal plastering is strangely absent from most modern work.
The merit of the earlier plastering is explained by the fact that cen-
turies ago the qualities of plaster were appreciated and its just uses
understood. A material that is plastic and granular by nature has charac-
teristics of its own which should be thoroughly comprehended by those
who use it. It was by their knowledge of this truth, and the well-consi-
dered use of the medium in which they worked, that the old plasterers
achieved success in all they undertook, from plain walling to modelled
enrichments, cornices, and
ceilings. Modern plaster-
work is often as bad as it can
be. A dead mechanical finish
robs it of all interest. The
moulded work, true and ac-
curate, suggests wood,stone,
or cast-iron rather than a
pliant, granular substance.
Workmen must not always
be blamed for this unsatis-
factory state of affairs. The
fault is not wholly theirs. If,
by proper instruction, they
are guided aright they fre-
quently surprise by the good
quality of their work. A
demand for plaster-work
that is characterized by the
true qualities proper to it
can and will be met ir it
arises.
The colours of the walls
should harmonize with the
general scheme. Each set of
circumstances presents a
new problem and has its own
solution. But, generally
speaking, a multiplicity
8
WINDOW-SEAT