DECEMBER

INTERIOR DECORATING
Colorful, floral wallpaper climbs a screen to a ceiling ^
papered in the some pattern, giving a dramatic upward sweef
— a smart idea for any theatre with a low-ceilinged foyei
To further emphasize height, a striped paper frames tht
opposite side of the stairwell, creating a pleasing effect.
WALLPAPER:
A Versatile
Decorating Tool
For Exhibitors
Dramatic Effects^
Character
And Warmth Can Be Achieved
With New Paper Designs
by CATHERINE BLONDIN
I HEATRE OWNERS and managers are,
more and more, taking advantage of wallpaper
for the new papers available today
are a far cry from the humdrum styles of
the past. They offer unlimited potentialities
for achieving dramatic effects hitherto
possible only to those exhibitors with unlimited
budgets.
There are endless possibilities for the
use of wallpapers in various theatre areas.
The patterns range from the ultra-feminine
to bold plaids and conversation prints
for lounges and powder rooms. All-over
patterns, stripes, plaids, weaves and geometries
are very appropriate for rooms of
general usage and for foyers and corridors.
Large-scale panoramic scenics are especially
effective in lobbies and are far less
costly than painted murals, and the maintenance
and cleaning is greatly simplified.
PAPERS TO FORM DADOS
Interesting architectural effects can be
achieved with wallpaper. There are papers
with a three-dimensional effect to form
dados, molded paneling, or grill-work.
Other papers simulate wood-grained finish,
leather and marble.
Use of wallpaper involves low initial cost,
and long-lasting durability. It is easy to
care for, economical and simple to install,
and gives character to any theatre whether
it be very small or extremely large and majestic.
Washable wallpaper costs no more
than paint of comparable quality.
One layer of wallpaper will transform a
light-colored wall into one with deep decorative
shades or it will do the reverse and
change a dark wall to a pastel one, and the
rooms can be used at once.
LUXURIOUS CEILING EFFECTS
Especially designed patterns for the ceiling
give a luxurious finish which would be
impossible with a plain ceiling. Wallpaper
is also effective in camouflaging architectural
defects. Walls can be lengthened or
shortened, rooms can be widened or norrowed,
and ceilings can be raised or lowered
by the judicious use of wallpaper. A
bit of experimentation will help the theatre
decorator achieve any desired effect. Vertical
stripes will always add height and horizontal
patterns will have the exact opposite
effect. Scenics seem to push the walls
back and give the illusion of distance and
open vistas.
An additional advantage is the fact that
wallpaper does not show soil easily and
may be cleaned with little effort. Theatre
walls will stay cleaner longer than in other
types of buildings because of the modern
air conditioning. A soft brush or an extension
pipe and brush of a vacuum cleaner
will keep the walls looking new. Regular
dough-type wallpaper cleaner will eliminate
finger marks or other spots, without
leaving rings. Where hard wear is given,
such as near door facings, wash basins,
archways, staircases, etc., a thin coat of si
regular wallpaper lacquer can be brushec
on or sprayed—this makes the wallpapei]
practically impervious to
grease and stair;
of any kind. !
Much of the cold feeling of functiona'-
modern architectui-e can be overcome bjf
the use of wallpaper. Bold new decoratoi'
colors in a wide variety of patterns giv«
warmth and character to otherwise austenj
interiors. Wallpaper borders can be usecl
as dividers to cut a too-high wall into sections.
They are good as an accent noti
along the narrow bulwark of a balcony, U
outline the stage, as a finishing note or
boxes, and in any spot which does no'
otherwise lend itself to more complete deco
ration.
USE MORE THAN ONE PATTERN
It is not necessary to use the same papei
throughout a theatre, for many differen
ones can be combined effectively. Oftei
two or even three papers can be used in tht
same section. For example, a scenic mislv
be used on one large unbroken wall abovo
wallpaper dado which simulates wooc,
paneling, masonry, or metal grille worki
The other walls could be decorated wit!
an all-over pattern which completes thi
colorings of the predominant design.
Wallpaper is, indeed, the theatre owner'.'
versatile decorating magic—for convenience,
beauty.
for economy, for durability, and for
8 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION