Page 24 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles Januray 2020
P. 24
W ho doesn’t appreciate the unique and “time machine” feel that company draws inspiration and pulls authentic patterns from museums,
Research is the foundation of the growing design collection. The
can be conveyed in a room surrounded by a vintage wallpaper
pattern? It’s hard to imagine an area rug, a piece of furniture or
libraries, factory records, old wallpaper books, private homes, and
any other item in a room carrying quite as much decorative effect.
period literature. They conduct ongoing searches for the best historic
As interest in the restoration of houses of a more recent vintage has patterns from the Americas, Europe, and Australia to preserve them and
grown, the company moved forward into the Arts and Crafts, Art keep them authentic. But very often people seeking to save their old
Deco and Mid-Century Modern eras, and have actively expanded their wallpaper bring samples in to be re-created and carefully handcrafted
lines to include several new collections that focus on these periods. for use. An example of the handwork involved – a complex pattern for
an average size Victorian room can require over 1,000 individual
impressions.
Going Modern
Bradbury & Bradbury has always admired wallpapers from the early
to mid-20th century, but it wasn’t until homes from that period started
to be “rediscovered” and restored that they started looking for a way to
add some of the more modern looks to their overall collection.
There are, of course, several companies out there already who sell
old original rolls of “vintage” wallpaper from that period. That’s certainly
1940s Tropical 1940s Pink Diamond
This collection of 1940s designs offers faithful reproductions of the dozens of vintage
wallpapers that have been collected over the years. Cheerful florals, stripes, and
whimsical kitchen wallpapers are trademarks of the period.
Charming and colorful papers like these
made for a cheery atmosphere in
kitchens and breakfast nooks all over
1940s Ivy and Lace 1940s Roses America when they were made in the
latter half of the 1940s. The Post-War
Era wallpapers are also available on
Bradbury & Bradbury: Preservationists fabric through Bradbury’s partnership
When Bruce Bradbury started the company back in 1979, those with Spoonflower
who wanted to recreate the fanciful interiors from the last quarter of the
19th century had little, if any, choice. In response, Bruce created the
now-legendary line of room sets that has set the standard for Victorian Above: Post-War Apple Betty
interiors, simultaneously inspiring the rebirth of the art wallpaper At right: Post-War Sunnyside
industry and helping to make color and pattern fashionable once again.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
22
Research is the foundation of the growing design collection. The
can be conveyed in a room surrounded by a vintage wallpaper
pattern? It’s hard to imagine an area rug, a piece of furniture or
libraries, factory records, old wallpaper books, private homes, and
any other item in a room carrying quite as much decorative effect.
period literature. They conduct ongoing searches for the best historic
As interest in the restoration of houses of a more recent vintage has patterns from the Americas, Europe, and Australia to preserve them and
grown, the company moved forward into the Arts and Crafts, Art keep them authentic. But very often people seeking to save their old
Deco and Mid-Century Modern eras, and have actively expanded their wallpaper bring samples in to be re-created and carefully handcrafted
lines to include several new collections that focus on these periods. for use. An example of the handwork involved – a complex pattern for
an average size Victorian room can require over 1,000 individual
impressions.
Going Modern
Bradbury & Bradbury has always admired wallpapers from the early
to mid-20th century, but it wasn’t until homes from that period started
to be “rediscovered” and restored that they started looking for a way to
add some of the more modern looks to their overall collection.
There are, of course, several companies out there already who sell
old original rolls of “vintage” wallpaper from that period. That’s certainly
1940s Tropical 1940s Pink Diamond
This collection of 1940s designs offers faithful reproductions of the dozens of vintage
wallpapers that have been collected over the years. Cheerful florals, stripes, and
whimsical kitchen wallpapers are trademarks of the period.
Charming and colorful papers like these
made for a cheery atmosphere in
kitchens and breakfast nooks all over
1940s Ivy and Lace 1940s Roses America when they were made in the
latter half of the 1940s. The Post-War
Era wallpapers are also available on
Bradbury & Bradbury: Preservationists fabric through Bradbury’s partnership
When Bruce Bradbury started the company back in 1979, those with Spoonflower
who wanted to recreate the fanciful interiors from the last quarter of the
19th century had little, if any, choice. In response, Bruce created the
now-legendary line of room sets that has set the standard for Victorian Above: Post-War Apple Betty
interiors, simultaneously inspiring the rebirth of the art wallpaper At right: Post-War Sunnyside
industry and helping to make color and pattern fashionable once again.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
22
