Boxoffice-November.24.1951

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INTERIOR
DECORATING
TODAY'S THEATRE
CARPETS
REFLECT CHANGING TASTE I »'
IN AMERICAN HOMES
Muted Colors and More Subtle Designs
Or Monotones Are Favored
till
An attractiye, integral decorative scheme for the foyer, lobby,
and auditorium aisles of the Paradise Theatre, Los Angeles,
Cain., has been achieved by the continuous use of this speciallywoven
pattern featuring galaxies of bright yellow and rich
golden stars on a heavenly blue background. This RCA customloomed
carpet is typical of the trend to more refined designs
in theatre carpeting following consumer tastes.
The floral design in this Mohawk
carpeting in the Gaylynn Theatre,
Beaumont, Tex., is in the style still
favored for theatres, but the pattern
has been scaled down and the
colors muted and skillfully blended.
Used thus, with solid color walls
and ceiling, its intricate pattern
does not compete with other elements
of the theatre's decor.
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It
f^ RECENT INFORMAL survey of Contract
departments of carpet companies who
do a major part of theatre carpeting revealed
that selections in contract, and
particularly theatre carpeting, show the
influence of changing tastes in consumer
carpets. As most contract installations are
custom made it would be difficult to
select the "ten most popular contract carpet
designs." However, the current trend
in theatre carpeting shows a marked tendency
toward more monotone effects and
fewer over-scaled multicolored designs.
Style and color trends have changed for
theatre installations from garish effects to
more subdued backgrounds which produce
a restful, relaxed atmosphere to further
enhance the practical acoustical and sounddeadening
effects of the carpeted areas.
APPROVE SUBTLER DESIGNS
Time was when every movie or legitimate
theatre ordered heroic floral, bird
and tree motifs in the most lavish colors
the carpet loom could accommodate for
their theatres. Today we find that most
theatre owners are looking for softened
colors, subtler design effects, and greater
coordination with existing architectural
and decorative elements in the theatre.
While it is true that theatre carpets still
lean toward large-scale motifs these have
been refined and worked into overall de-
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signs which bind the whole decorative
scheme together rather than compete with
it. The increasing demand for tone-ontone
colorations to provide a monotone
foundation is reminiscent of the same de-
( Continued on page 83)
Following consumer trends is this light blue Mohawk carpeting in the powder room ol the Egyptian Theatre,
Hollywood, Calif. Experience has proved that the solid color carpeting has proved to be as soil
resistant as the more heavily-patterned, multicolored designs of former years.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION