PAINTED PANELS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 136, 5 March 1929, Page 17

PAINTED PANELS

Architects may determine the size of roonn in feet and inches, but it is really the painter who has the final say as to whether a room is large or small. At least, to all outward appearances, Besides the choice of colours, the painter can suggest panelling, which cuts up the room, and makes it look smaller, but more decorative. Every kind of painting looks more effective when it is framed by the mouldings. There are several attractive ways in which panelled rooms can be done. One of the most popular is to paint the panels and the mouldings in old ivory, then glaze the panels and wipe the mouldings in the quirks so that the high lights show. Another fine method of treatment is to glaze the entire wall, including the mouldings, with transparent colours, and then stipple them with the regular painter s stipple, cheesecloth, sponge, or paper. About the most expensive treatment for' mouldings is to pick them out in various contrasting colours. Great care has to be taken so that the colours do not smudge, and either for this reason, or the expense, or both, the contrasting colour is not very much used. Most people are content to have the-mouldings wiped or left the same colour as the inside of the panels. When decorative painting is used on the walls, the lower woodwork is generally kept in a solid colour, usually the predominating colour in the room. Many painters have practically “made” a room by the colour they have applied to the woodwork. If the colour of the woodwork blends into the walls it will make the room look as though it had greater height. The woodwork is either kept in the same colour as the walls, or in a lighter shade. The use of decorative painting should be decided first by the judgment of the painter, and then by the purse of the customer. Before decorative painting is suggested, the contractor must know that it will be the best treatment. Mottling is generally considered by the layman particularly as a most attractive wall finish. The contractor who is wise will always have one man in, his employ who specialises in this kind of work. Then he can be sure that when he undertakes a job it will be done well, and in this way his reputation. will be built up. It is a wise man who sets out to establish a reputation in one particular line; because, on this reputation he can go ahead to build a larger one.—“ American Painter and Decorator.”