The old 1970s magazines besides being a mine of interiors photography are also a great resource of advertising such as this Van Luit & Co advertisement for one of a series of murals.
Processional, described as "a spectacular decorative accent for the home, office or important commercial interior. Taken from an old, Chinese rubbing and available in four distinct colorways."
A while ago I began this series about walls and each time something catches my eye I wonder why we no longer appreciate wall decoration such as this. I know that fashion plays a role and it could be that a point was reached when the collective eye at the end of the 1970s became overwhelmed with pattern and color and sought refuge in neutrality.
Admittedly, many of the 1970s murals and wall decorations were full of bombast and pomp, rich in allusion and exoticism, as are the murals and wall decorations in places such as, for example, the Brighton Pavilion and we find those attractive, beautiful even. Is it because we are influenced by the fact that the paper or mural has been deemed worthy of collection and conservation?
I think part of the answer lies in the now dead but long-lasting fad for faux finishes - paint effects that swamped interiors for the best part of a decade. There are people still working with faux finishes, craftsmen who can imitate marble and wood, painters who prefer to work on walls, yet we see so little of them in present-day decorating. Hand-painted Chinese wallpaper panels are pretty much all we see.
Some of you might look at the photo above and shudder, thinking perhaps that you're never likely to see the likes again. But remember this: you probably said the same about purple, dark brown and aqua, but look how those colors are being used today. Personally, I would not like to see a return to the indiscriminate use of faux- or distressed-finishes, but I would love to see some drama spread over the bland walls of the early 21st century. The telling of stories in this form is gone and a great pity it is.
This brings back memories. The dining room in my childhood home had a Van Luit mural of peacocks installed over the dado. It was on a metalic background. I about died when my mother redecorated and replaced it, but amazingly there were several rolls left in the attic that I still have.
ReplyDeleteI thought I had a picture of that paper but I have only a foil with a pattern of peacock feathers, but of a scale that it must have seemed like a flea's-eye view of the world from the tail of a peacock. Maybe a post for next week. These '70s foils are rather exciting.
ReplyDeleteI still love these- I remembered a friend's DR growing up-I coveted one of these while traipsing home to wainscoting and Williamsburg colors. I did a Dining about 10 years ago- and insisted we keep a Van luit mural- lovely. la
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this will find it's intention but if Carl who commented about the 1974 van luit mural with comments on the rolls he had with peacocks in foil background, if this comment finds it's way to him I'd be interested in buying those or trading other Van Luit Mural wallpaper for it if he is interested........ You can see mine on Youtube and also my e-mail info there as well.......... best wishes to all!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this will find it's intention but if Carl who commented about the 1974 van luit mural with comments on the rolls he had with peacocks in foil background, if this comment finds it's way to him I'd be interested in buying those or trading other Van Luit Mural wallpaper for it if he is interested........ You can see mine on Youtube and also my e-mail info there as well.......... best wishes to all!
ReplyDelete