Wall Paper Border
c. 1936
Imagine this cheerful strip running along the walls of a 1930s home. Elizabeth Valentine created this wallpaper border design around 1936, featuring a rhythmic dance of blue-green vines and red flowers, all sandwiched between striking black-and-white scalloped edges. The handwritten note 'Actual Size' in the corner reveals this was a working document—a precise instruction manual for manufacturers to turn art into everyday decor. It’s a lovely snapshot of how design bridged the gap between artistic vision and the walls of ordinary people.