Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.misc From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Choice supplants '80s art deco decor Date: Thu, 29 Oct 92 14:38:17 EST Message-ID: \SE F;TODAY'S HOME;DESIGNING WOMAN \SS (WS) \HD Choice supplants '80s art deco decor \BY Rita St. Clair \CR LOS ANGELES TIMES SYNDICATE At long last, it appears as though design consultants and manufacturers are producing more options in the available colors of fabrics and wallpapers. The trend that produced all those Victorian-style florals and the ubiquitous peach, mauve and gray color schemes became tiresome quite some time ago. But finding alternatives has not been easy until fairly recently. Many of those with limited budgets but adventuresome tastes in home furnishings have been frustrated by the lack of choices. Anyone trying to spruce up a summer cottage must have felt particularly unhappy about the dominance of those so-called art deco color combinations. They simply don't look right in such settings! And, as has finally become obvious to the trendsetters, this type of palette also doesn't suit the easier, more natural look that has been gaining favor for the past few years. The photo shows one of the new wall-covering patterns coming on the market in response to the demand for change. No florals! This simple yet colorful design of silhouetted fruits and vegetables has a crisp, fresh quality. Both the wallpaper and the border are from Motif Designs' Vintage Rosie II collection. Because it depicts nature's bounty, this deliciously decorative wall covering obviously would be appropriate in kitchens and dining rooms. The border, incidentally, can be used either with the coordinated wallpaper shown here or with a stripe or other linear pattern. It would even look good on a plain painted wall. Although this particular design is reminiscent of vintage textiles, it is clearly a creative reinterpretation and as such can be used in contemporary as well as traditional settings. In fact, a touch of nostalgia often will help give a modern room the personal and lived-in look it needs. In general, we're beginning to see more gold, teal and greens of various shades in fabrics and wallpapers. Primary colors, too, are making an overdue comeback. Let's just hope that these choices don't solidify into a trend that will exclude other options. Q: We have just moved into a new town house with a dramatic cathedral-style ceiling. That was an irresistible attraction at first, but now we find that our standard-height contemporary furniture leaves a huge void above it. How do we solve this problem while creating a somewhat formal look? A: There's no single sure-fire solution, especially with new furniture. Regardless of whether they're contemporary or traditional in style, most newly manufactured pieces are built with 8-foot ceilings in mind. But I can suggest a few design techniques that, properly employed, will help minimize the difficulties presented by the room's proportions. A large painting or tapestry on the most important wall would act as a focal point and make the ceiling appear a little lower. A sizable lighting fixture - perhaps a lantern hung from the center of the room - also would lead the eye to envision a more human-scale setting. A tall piece of furniture would certainly be another useful addition. It could be something like a bookcase or an armoire that can be converted into a bar or an enclosed media center. Please note, however, that simply plunking a few tall pieces of furniture against the walls won't necessarily produce the desired outcome. No matter how big they may be, such pieces won't sufficiently lower the ceiling unless they are accompanied by other items placed high on the walls. For instance, a grouping of architectural prints can provide needed balance alongside a tall bookcase, as can a tall, Empire-style mirror. These combinations provide a harmonious composition. Remember, too, that proper lighting will help a great deal in bringing the ceiling down to a less imposing level. Tall lamps and large chandeliers that cast light onto the lower part of the room would be useful. Painting the ceiling in a darker tone than the walls - though in the same color - may also be something to consider. The basic objective, as you probably have gathered by now, is to camouflage an unusual feature that no longer seems so wonderful. As is almost always the case, camouflage works best when it involves a variety of elements. Properly proportioned furniture, the layering of pictures and objects on the walls, an adroit use of color and lighting - none of these factors alone will be sufficient to disguise the room's awkward proportions. In combination, however, they just may restore your delight in having a cathedral-style ceiling. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM