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The front two chambers of the Dutton house
had yellow walls that were stenciled originally with borders
in black and iron red. This swag and tassle pattern was used
in different rooms throughout the house.
The artist was
unknown, but it was not unusual for painters to travel
for business. Wallpaper was fashionable but costly, so many
colonists opted for less expensive methods of interior decoration.
Stencils were prominent in New England and New York during the late
18th and early 19th centuries.
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American stencils reflected the lives of
the people: patriotic eagles, native flowers, leaves, and vines were
often depicted. Pineapples were used as a symbol of
hospitality. Baskets filled with flowers represented abundance.
Colors were derived from vegetable juices, earth minerals and soot.
A few favorites: vermillion, yellow, blue, earth brown and greens.
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