Although the following article by Mary Shustack is about a local museum which many of us will never have the opportunity to visit, it gives some specific ideas as well as a philosophy of decorating…

Off the wall
The Journal News
By MARY SHUSTACK

Those whose home décor is influenced by the past will find fresh inspiration at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah.

"If These Walls Could Talk: 17th, 18th and 19th Century Wall Decorations at Caramoor" has opened at the Caramoor House Museum, and the exhibition delves into yet another aspect of the countless treasures to be found in the former summer home of Caramoor's founders, Lucie and Walter Rosen.

Docents offer guided tours of 20 rooms in the Mediterranean-style villa that is brimming with the Rosens' collection of European and Asian art and artifacts. Annual exhibitions are devoted to particular aspects of the collection, from jade to cloisonné to this year's choice, the wall coverings.

It might seem like an unusual topic, but minutes into a walk through the surroundings shows that the wealth of historic wood paneling, unique wallpapers, rich textiles and stately tapestries provide countless materials to explore. More…

Explore our pages on wall tapestries, wall art, art prints, etc. under the subtitle, Wall Decorating, on our décor links index