Design & Decor
Don’t know where to turn to get the interior of your historic property looking authentic? Answers about hardware, finishes, and furnishings appropriate for different architectural styles.
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Design & Decor Specifics
History Pasted on the Wall
Like paint, wallpaper in older homes seems to fascinate the novice and the experienced house detectives alike. When people enter a home and see the decorative finish, they immediately want to know, “Is is original? How old is it? What story does it tell about the house?” Wallpaper gives people a glimpse into the fashion trends of a certain period of time, as well as a glimpse into the status and personal tastes of previous occupants. Surviving examples of historic interiors are rare because they are so susceptible to changing consumer tastes as well as damage and decay. So it is important to preserve this decorative finish when it is found. This brief provides one concise document that details the history of wallpaper; outlines how to identify the age of wallpaper; provides tips on the preservation, restoration, and reconstruction of wallpaper; as well as explains how to best display the historical fabric if only a sliver of the legacy is left. By Lechelle Vernon-Yates
Design & Decor Basics
Don’t know where to begin? Discover some of the basics with these resources.
Journals and Magazines
Old House Interiors
- http://www.period-homes.com/
- http://www.oldhouseweb.com/
- http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/
National Park Service Briefs
- http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief40.htm
- http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief34.htm
- http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief28.htm