Cowboys and the Old West in wallpaperPosted on | December 3, 2009 | 10 Comments Yup, why these here examples illustrate some of the most common “themed” papers printed during the mid-century look back at our historic past: wallpapers with cowboy and western motifs.
Maybe it was a product of Cold War angst, (and the thought of building a bomb shelter in your backyard), I don’t know… but as designers and manufacturers in the 1950s looked toward the future and the conquest of space, they also seemed to cast an ambivalent eye back toward bygone eras.
The frontier life of the Old West was being played out all over again, not just in wallpaper, but in movies, magazines, books and television. Action-packed tales of gunslingers and desperadoes, cowpunchers and horse wranglers captured the imaginations of adults as well as children. Evocative wallpapers like these depicting some of the action adorned the walls of young boys’ bedrooms all over the country back then, and have even seen something of a resurgence in popularity during the last decade with those restoring old ranch-styled homes.
My special thanks to the always generous Mr. Scott Cazet for sharing some of these vintage wallpapers with us! Category: Atomic Age, Wallpaper Stories
Tags: Cold War > Cowboys > mid-century > Old West > ranch-style > Westerns Burnaby in Historic BuffaloPosted on | November 12, 2009 | No Comments Jennifer, who lives in the beautiful city of Buffalo, NY, was kind enough to send us this photo of her home’s incredible oak entryway, which was recently installed with our Burnaby wallfill in Forest Green.
Jennifer’s home was built in 1901 in the Greek Revival Style and is unique in Buffalo as it has survived 108 years of citywide apartment conversions, fires and remodeling trends and remained remarkably unchanged since the day it was built. Among the original features that the house retains are the brass outlets for its centralized vacuum system, an alcove for a pipe organ and an ice box. Later additions include a copper still in the basement dating from the era of Prohibition! All in all, the house is a stunning example of the eclectic American craftsmanship popular during our country’s turn-of-the-century renaissance period, and one of the great many architectural gems in that historic city. Thanks for inviting us into your home Jennifer! We love to see houses both grand and modest. If you would like to share your historic home with our Bradbury & Bradbury audience send us a photo and a little story about your home and we’ll post it also! A Weedsport, New York originalPosted on | October 22, 2009 | 3 Comments Occasionally we get the opportunity to see an (old) original installation of wallpapers in a historic home and even more infrequently we get to see an original ceiling in place as well. This home, which is currently on the market in Weedsport New York, has both, and with some very interesting details!
This ceiling, for instance, along with the interlaced fill patterning is framed with a “glittered” starburst border and some imaginative “switchbacks” and panelizing.
This other intricate ceiling features even more decoupaged panels and switchbacks, but I thought the most curious part of it was the “stretched” center panel with what appears to be actual chains and screws to heighten the whole 3D illusion. Unfortunately some of this ceiling looks to have had some detail painted out, or at least it was just inpainted with a stark off-white. Its also been trimmed out with small half round moldings that look gilded.
This particular detail (with the scary constable) shows the entry wall’s original tripartite wall divisions, with frieze, fill and dado, (including a dado rail). Note too, the elaborate arrangement of gilded moldings and patterning just below the frieze paper.
And just for a little context, a shot of the exterior of this largely intact 1877 Italianate residence. If you happen to be planning a move to the Empire state, and interested in more information on this particular property, here is the link to see and learn more: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Weedsport_NY_13166_1111748307. Thanks to Bruce Bradbury for the link. Category: Victorian
Tags: ceiling > intact interiors > New York > tripartite wall > wallpapered ceiling > Weedsport The “Monks” FriezePosted on | September 29, 2009 | 1 Comment
This page from the 1912 Kayser & Allman Sketchbook of Decorations offers a suggestion as to its use with an elaborate combination of other papers in an otherwise sparsely furnished dining room. Category: Arts & Crafts, Wallpaper Stories
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Tags: Arts & Crafts > Frieze > Kayser & Allman Wall Paper > Monks Frieze > William Campbell Wall Paper Co. |
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