CHOOSING WALL-PAPER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13231, 26 September 1908, Page 7

CHOOSING WALL-PAPER.

Thero is nothing which gives more character to a room than its wallpaper, and tho woman who has tho opportunity of choosing new papers for her walls should exercise niuch caro and thought on tho subject, for on the colour and pattern of th© wall-paper depeuds not only tho distinction of her room, but a question of health. The first and most important matter to consider in selecting tho colour of a paper is its effect on the light, and tho position of tho room in which it is to bo hung. Rooms which havo the hob afternoon sun should bo hung with softer shades, such as blue and dark greons and browns, whilo rooms with less sunshine should havo pinks, yellows, white, or light green. The reflecting power of different colours has been worked out,. and it #is * very interesting to know that whilo white reflects 50 per cent, of light, red only reflects 15. Therefore, though v*»; popular for that purpose, rod is a very bad colour to hang in a library or study; dark brown is even worse, its reflecting power being still less, while dar„ green has the same result as red. A light buff or yellow is nearly as good as white for light reflecting, whilo palo apple-green is not far behind. A rough surface,paper absorbs more light than a smootb. one, while a baro, coloured wall gives a better reflection than any paper. A wall-paper with" a pattern "eats up" the light more than, anything, besides liaving .an .irritating effect on tho eyes ana norves. Chintzes and velvets also : absorb tho light, while the difference.in th© .effect of light and dark-coloured wood is obvious. -' . ' , v ~ The influence, conscious or otherwise, of our surroundings on our nerves and temper is now so gonerally recognisethat tho question of suitable and cheerful wall-papers is very important. And there is another point about ...good light-reflecting walls, too, that will appeal to the careful housewife, and that is the saving in gas. for .the lighter and brighter your walls # the less power will bo needed in your illuminanfc.