Concrete Playground

Damask. Gravure. Florence Broadhurst. William Morris. Symmetry groups. Wallpaper is a world unto itself. Therefore justified is the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (SCL&RC), which has hunted down and brought together fragments of the stuff from merchant's sample books, excess rolls and occasionally straight off walls. Selections from this incredible collection, dating back to around 1840, are currently available to take home in the form of a publication from the Historic Houses Trust titled Wallpaper — a holy grail for those obsessed with this old-timey form of design.

Considering the rather large legacy of the wallpaper genre, it makes sense that the average Joe may require some further guidance — even with this take-home book for the coffee table. It is with this in mind that Michael Lech, Assistant Curator of the collection, will host an evening of exclusive wallpaper viewing. Featuring highlights from the book and more intimate offerings, this event is a must for anyone still dreaming about their great-grandmother's walls, or simply those who like to imagine.

Image: 'Vinion' (a wallpaper roll with circle design), Australian Wallcovering Manufacturers, 1970s.