Bolling & Company

Bolling & Company offers rare original wallpapers as remnants, rolls, and in custom presentations that are artfully trimmed, mounted and framed for unique beauty and impact.

1907 - A ROSY OUTLOOK

While the color palette may not be for everyone, I find this plate from a 1907 American Wallpaper Company catalog pretty fascinating.

On the wallpaper front, the use of the lowered crown aligned with the window lintels beneath a blank frieze area gives the room a unique look and proportion, and the coordination with the drapery valance is a thoughtful touch. The ceiling, which I presume was painted, uses a border stripe cut from the stripes in the sidewall.

The rest of the room rewards deeper scrutiny (and perhaps the occasional head scratch as well)... The decorative fabric treatments, possibly embroidered or stenciled, harmonize with the decor nicely. The mantel and desk apparently hold art pottery, and along with the distinctive lantern bracket on the wall show the influence of the Arts & Crafts Movement. The desk seems to have banished its chair to the other side of the room, while its meek warming footrest hides like a mouse in the corner. The scale and layout of the pictures on the wall is odd and curious (the blocks left as a tripping hazard on the floor perhaps indicate this is a child's room?). And is that a wisp of smoke coming up from the logs in the fireplace??

The large casement windows are unusual for the era, and are punctuated by pairs of narrow roller shades in a quirky twist. But the real reward for this forensic foray is found in the view out of the (strangely elevated - is this an apartment building?) windows to the urban scenery outside. which just happens to feature a large yellow billboard advertising the American Wallpaper Company. Bravo!!

WALLPAPER THAT TRULY "SUCKS"

I have to say that I am not always a big fan of many post-1960 novelty papers, but this may be the most compelling and successful novelty application I've ever seen - this "Dracula" paper just works at every level, in my opinion, cleverly and masterfully adapting actual historical wallpaper pattern language in completely resonant and visually attractive ways while keeping to a subtle and tasteful color palette.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Edward Gorey is also my favorite artist. :-)

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/100267945_edward-gorey-licensed-dracula-s-damask-wallpaper