DOI article:
Wainwright, Shirley B.: On the decoration & furnishing of small rooms
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41870#0024
ON THE DECORATION AND FURNISHING OF SMALL ROOMS
writer, holding these views, has emphasized them in the drawings illus-
trated herewith, hoping to show that good results can be obtained by
simple means.
Note, for example, the elevations on pages 6 and 22. The woodwork in
both cases consists merely of a shelf and a small moulding round the tiles.
Below the shelf the plaster of the wall is painted. The brick and tile fire-
places on pages 2 and 7 suggest another treatment, quite reasonable in
cost if installed when the house is in course of construction, but more
difficult to introduce in an existing building. It will be seen that in both
cases the woodwork is reduced to a minimum, although the general effect
is bold and decorative. In some houses corner chimney-pieces occur
which afford opportunity for distinctive treatments, as shown in the two
drawings on page 4.
With regard to the general decoration of the small house or flat, there is
here unlimited scope for the expression of individual taste and discern-
ment. Unfortunately certain difficulties present themselves, however well
equipped one may be with ideas and inspirations. The importance ot
colour in the house cannot be too strongly emphasized, but the capacity
of the average decorator to interpret one’s ideas is distressingly limited.
A generation ago firms of any standing employed men who were skilful
in mixing colours and had a fairly good knowledge of pigments and
mediums ; moreover, they took some pride in their work and it was pos-
sible to enlist their interest in any special schemes one might want inter-
preted. Nowadays such men are rare, as the modern custom is for firms
of decorators to use proprietary colours
already mixed, which are served out to
the men. The customer is presented
with a sample sheet representing, on a
very limited scale, the choice of colours
of some particular make available for
selection. Anything outside the range
submitted is regarded as impossible, and
any hint as to special requirements in
the way of tone or colour is regarded
with grave suspicion by our friend the
decorator, who makes it evident that he
regards you as a nuisance. This state of
affairs is not very encouraging to the
unfortunate individual who happens to
have ideas of his own. No doubt if a
persistent demand arose from the public
for better facilities some effort would be
12
writer, holding these views, has emphasized them in the drawings illus-
trated herewith, hoping to show that good results can be obtained by
simple means.
Note, for example, the elevations on pages 6 and 22. The woodwork in
both cases consists merely of a shelf and a small moulding round the tiles.
Below the shelf the plaster of the wall is painted. The brick and tile fire-
places on pages 2 and 7 suggest another treatment, quite reasonable in
cost if installed when the house is in course of construction, but more
difficult to introduce in an existing building. It will be seen that in both
cases the woodwork is reduced to a minimum, although the general effect
is bold and decorative. In some houses corner chimney-pieces occur
which afford opportunity for distinctive treatments, as shown in the two
drawings on page 4.
With regard to the general decoration of the small house or flat, there is
here unlimited scope for the expression of individual taste and discern-
ment. Unfortunately certain difficulties present themselves, however well
equipped one may be with ideas and inspirations. The importance ot
colour in the house cannot be too strongly emphasized, but the capacity
of the average decorator to interpret one’s ideas is distressingly limited.
A generation ago firms of any standing employed men who were skilful
in mixing colours and had a fairly good knowledge of pigments and
mediums ; moreover, they took some pride in their work and it was pos-
sible to enlist their interest in any special schemes one might want inter-
preted. Nowadays such men are rare, as the modern custom is for firms
of decorators to use proprietary colours
already mixed, which are served out to
the men. The customer is presented
with a sample sheet representing, on a
very limited scale, the choice of colours
of some particular make available for
selection. Anything outside the range
submitted is regarded as impossible, and
any hint as to special requirements in
the way of tone or colour is regarded
with grave suspicion by our friend the
decorator, who makes it evident that he
regards you as a nuisance. This state of
affairs is not very encouraging to the
unfortunate individual who happens to
have ideas of his own. No doubt if a
persistent demand arose from the public
for better facilities some effort would be
12