ABSTRACT
This chapter concerns the decoration of both the internal and the external surfaces in houses. It explains the historic development of wallpapers and paints. Decoration has a number of purposes: to provide an aesthetic finish, to increase the durability of the decorated surface, and to maintain functionality. The first wallpapers to be used were imported from France and China. Wallpapers can hide poor quality plastered finishes and they can provide a rapidly applied decorative scheme, reducing sometimes lengthy painting and drying-out processes. There are three principal types of wallpaper: patterned and coloured designs, embossed and textured sheets and wallpapers, and lining papers. Paints have been used throughout history to provide colour, style and protection to virtually every surface in houses. During the 20th century, industrial production of paint completely replaced craft production. The first emulsion paints appeared in the 1950s and these rapidly replaced distempers, as they were harder wearing, easier to apply and more reliable.
