Customer Reviews

Off the Wall: Wonderful Wall Coverings of the Twentieth Century

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a thoroughly fun book about wallpaper design from roughly 1900 to the 1960s. It is divided up thematically, so the chapters are on florals, narrative wallpaper, natural scenes, and so on. The writing is both scholarly and entertaining. You'll learn quite a bit about design and culture trends during this period. It's true that these are not mainly high end papers (although there is a chapter on high art and major artists designing wallpaper), but it does provide a neat introduction to the kinds of wallpaper that the vast majority of people would have experienced during this period.

In addition, the book is wonderfully designed so that it's a pleasure to read and look at. If you have any interest in wallpaper or in 20th century design in general, this is a book worth reading.

I dont think this book of wall paper pictures collection reflects the beauty, width and depth of the wallpaper design in 20th century. I have seen (and used) much better, detailed, artistic and representative examples myself.
All of the examples are from the 1920-60 period. Nothing after 1960. The book doesnt include any of the glamorous examples either. Another negative thing is all of the examples look like they are printed patterns, they give no idea about the texture, embossing and the paper type used.
If you are into the history of wallpapers this book may give you information but not much inspiring for graphic designers.
I wouldnt have bought it if i had the chance to see more pages because what you see at the Amazon.com "seach inside" feature is all this book about, same style, same not so good examples all through the book.

this book is very useful for all kinds of designers. wall papers are very modern today as well as they were in the past.
today we use wall papers every where in every possibale space even in fashion stores, coffe shops and not only at houses.
this book gives us a review on the 20th century and which we can find very modern again today.