The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-11
JUST LIKE THE
PAPER ON THE
Wal |
Phyllis Ackerman's Book on
History, Design, and Use
Fits Nicely the Needs Of
Decorator and Designer.
WALL PAPER, IT'S HISTORY.
DESIGN AND USE. BY Phyllis
Alderman. New York: Freder-
lex Stokes and Company, $3.50.

DESIGN AND USE. BY Phyllis
Ackerman. New York: Freder-
lex Stokes and Company. $3.50.
" HE present-day interest in
the subject Of home furnish
ing and decorating has led
to the writing OF many books
upon the various aspects Of this
rather wide field. Possibly no
phase Of the subject has been 80
neglected as that of wall paper.
TO meet the existing need Phyllis
Alderman has brought out q
volume. wall Paper. It's History,
Design and Use" Nothing OF the
kind has been done In this coun.
try. An English writer, q. While.
" Ward, wrote small book on
wall papers several years ago,
but his treatment was quite SUI
perficial. So in the preface OF
Mr.. Wards book he states
definitely that his work does not
cover the subject, but leaves much
to subsequent writer's.
The same remark Is applicable
to Miss Ackerman's work. In
fact, she tantalizes the reader
into feeling that she Is just about
to disclose the most fascinating
facts while she forces one to read
nearly half the book before any
degree OF satisfaction Il reached.
According to the authors state
ment. this wall paper book is d
consideration Of the decorative
qualities Of wall paper, first as
revealed In It's historical develop
ment; second. az limited by It's
present mechanical production:
third, a. determined by the re-
quirements Of good design. and
fourth. AZ realized IN Its appro-
pirate uses.
The first part should offer
much or romance and Of interest
ing fact. But Miss Alderman has
chosen to discard the romance Of
the subject and give only facts.
Dates and names mean little IN
themselves and here we have e.
catalogue Of them cleaned from
old volumes and manuscripts to
which the dust OF centuries still
ciinga. The nustiness of old
Libraries Ii present in these pages.
However, the portion dealing
with wall paper design IL handled
In q thoroughly readable manner.
The layman, searching for .
standard whereby to Judge the
modern commercial product, win
find much OF value here. The
insistence upon conventionalized
motifs and the following Of
structural lines in wall paper de-
sign is bit of common sense
that cannot be too highly COM
mended to the buying public,
The discussion Of texture Ii help.
ful and to the point, but It IL
doubtful whether one having no
working knowledge Of color would
find practical information in the
chapter devoted to that subject.
The writer Is not to be too
severely condemned, for the mat
ter of color is subtle one, and
until color nomenclature Aa standard.
lied, the subject cannot be In
diligently treated.
The chapter on the manufacture
of modern wall paper rings with
the conviction Of an eye witness.
Not only has Miss Alderman seen
and understood the process OF
manufacture, but she has at It
down in such graphic manner
that the most casual reader CEN
not fail to grasp and appreciate
the complicated methods and
machinery used. It would be
hard to find a more concise bit Of
exposition.
One looking for actual as
sistance in the selection and cor
rect use Of wall paper will find
the closing chapters Of the book
most valuable. The consistent
and thorough manner in which
the various historical styles are
treated and the practical sugges-
tions given in regard to the
selection of paper Tor period
rooms, should furnish a helpful
guide to the inexperienced and
coincide with the theories Of
decorators. The essential features
Of each style are carefully con-
sidered in this section, and the
recommendations are made from
a knowledge Of the available mar
ket supply.
Taken as a whole, the book IL
worthy of a place in the home
makers library. and should sure