Color and Pattern in 18th Century Interiors

Too often when people think of 18th Century English interiors, they conjure up dark paneling and staid decor. The derogatory term de rigueur is "boring brown." Thank you to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for dissuading visitors of any such notions. You will find there the drawing room from Robert Adam's Lansdowne House and it is a dizzying explosion of color and pattern. Every surface from the ceiling to the full length pilasters down to the baseboards is adorned in color and/or pattern. I had the pleasure of visiting the museum during the recent Philadelphia show. The evening light coming through the windows only added to the drama of the setting. The next time you're in Philadelphia, it is a can't-miss along with the rest of this amazing museum.