The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Digital photograph of the fireplace in the ground floor morning room of Villa Alba. The original 1880s black marble mantel surround is missing its decorative surround tiles and cast iron hearth but retains its decorative hearth tiles produced by Mintons Ltd. The fireplace was modified in the 1950s when it was used as a home for nurses of the Royal Women's Hospital. fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- morning room

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the fireplace in the main bedroom of Villa Alba. The original 1880s white marble mantel surround has a raised iron and brass cast iron grate with hearth and side tiles by Mintons Ltd. The marble fire surround has being carved in a conventional style and lacks the opulence of what was at the time described as the grandest bedroom in the Colony, whereas the raised grate features decorative brass sun symbols and scrolling on the iron panels. The 'grey monochrome' surround tiles, of which there are eight in situ were produced to design by John Moyr Smith by Mintons Ltd as part of the 'Waverley' series (No, 1607) of which there were twelve subjects (Mintons Catalogue, p. 62/206). The selection conforms to William Greenlaw's desire to symbolically represent Scottish themes in the decoration of the house. It also relates to the mural in the dining room architrave of scenes from the novels of Sir Walter Scott. The three rows of hearth tiles employ a repeated geometric pattern.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba - main bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Digital photograph of the decorative surround tiles on the right tiled panels of the fireplace in the main bedroom at Villa Alba. The four grey monochrome surround tiles were selected from a series of twelve 'Waverley' [novels] tiles designed by John Moyr Smith and produced by Mintons Ltd, Catalogue No. 1607 (Mintons Tile catalogue p. 62/206)Tiles x 4 Upper left: BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR \ RAVENSWOOD & LUCY Lower left: THE ANTIQUARY / SIR ARTHUR DOVSTERSWIVEL Upper right: THE MAID OF PERTH / BONTHRON ACCUSES ROTHSAY Lower right: THE HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN / JEANIE & THE QUEENfireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba --- main bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Digital photograph of the decorative surround tiles on the left tiled panel of the fireplace in the main bedroom at Villa Alba. The four grey monochrome surround tiles were selected from a series of twelve 'Waverley' [novels] tiles designed by John Moyr Smith and produced by Mintons Ltd, Catalogue No. 1607 (Mintons Tile catalogue p. 62/206). Tiles x 4 Upper left: KENILWORTH / AMY ROBSART AND LEICESTER Lower left: THE ANTIQUARY / SIR ARTHUR DOVSTERSWIVEL Upper right: GUY MANNERING / MEG MERRILEES AND HATTERAICK Lower right: QUENTIN DURWARD / LOUIS QUENTIN & JACQUELINE fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba --- main bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the gold, black and white hearth tiles of the fireplace in the main bedroom at Villa Alba. The twelve geometric, visually interlocking tiles feature an abstract flower within a black border. There are twelve parts of the pattern on each tile.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba --- main bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the fireplace in the second bedroom of Villa Alba. The original 1880s white marble mantel, obliquely positioned in the northwest corner of the room (one of two examples in the house) is the most ornate mantel in the first floor bedrooms. The central visual element in the mantel is an upturned conch shell surrounded by stylised foliage and flowers. The two upright carved supports of the mantel are sinuously carved in all almost rococo manner. The mantel is inset with monochrome surround tiles and ornate polychrome glazed tiles in a manner reminiscent of Ottoman Iznik tile work. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- second bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the decorative tiles used in the hearth of the fireplace in the second bedroom of Villa Alba. The polychrome tiles are decorated in a manner reminiscent of Ottoman Iznik tile work. They feature the flowers and foliage of fuchsias and lily of the valley. The tiles at the edge have been cut to fit into the surround. The tiles have black visually interlocking borders. There are twelve tiles used at the front which extends six tiles deep. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- second bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the decorative tiles used in the surround of the fireplace in the second bedroom of Villa Alba. The brick red, monochrome, geometrically patterned tiles feature a neo-classical Late Victorian use of Ancient Greek fretwork. Each side of the surround has four of these large tiles. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- second bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the fireplace in the third bedroom of Villa Alba. The original 1880s black stone mantel, obliquely positioned in the southwest corner of the room (one of two examples in the house) is painted with a central group of three white roses. These are surrounded by flowers and foliage of jasmine that extend along the upper panel and down the sides of the mantel. It is believed that the addition of the painted flowers was completed by a freelance artist working for the Paterson Brothers; probably Ulysses Rizzi. The mantel is inset with two-tone surround tiles and decorative polychrome hearth tiles that incorporate a green ivy pattern which climbs up pieces of bamboo. Each tile is separated by a white and black border. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- third bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the pattern of the rectangular surround tiles in the third bedroom of Villa Alba. The tiles, which are painted in underglaze red and green have a central scrolling pattern of large six- and small four-petalled flowers in green. The border use Late Victorian neo-classical fretwork. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- third bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the pattern of the square hearth tiles in the third bedroom of Villa Alba. The glazed decorative tiles are painted in a pattern of climbing green ivy on a black base. The tiles have borders on two sides using a repeated black and white pattern. The tiles are laid so that the pattern of the ivy extends to the rear of the hearth. An oriental element with the design is the use of bamboo on which the ivy climbs. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- third bedroom

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the fireplace in the fourth bedroom of Villa Alba. This is the only replacement fire place setting in the house. It was purchased with the support of a grant from the Bendigo Community Bank - Kew East Branch. The mantel, like that in the. third bedroom features garlands of polychrome painted flowers on the three panels. The mantel is inset with monochrome surround and hearth tiles. The latter is incomplete, missing the front row. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba - fourth bedroom

non-fictionConservation Resources Centre Series. Exhibition catalogue published 1995 by Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. 36 pages : colour illustrations ; 30 x 15 cm.wallpapers - history, interior decoration - history, wall coverings - history, elizabeth bay house -- exhibitions

non-fictionThe decorated wall : eighty years of wallpaper in Australia, c. 1850-1930 / compiled by Phyllis Murphy ; for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales [for an exhibition held in March 1981 at the Elizabeth Bay House]wallpapers - history, interior decoration - history, wall coverings - history, elizabeth bay house -- exhibitions

non-fictionThe papered wall : the history patterns and techniques of wallpaper / by Lesley Hoskins. Abrams (N.Y.) 1994, A history of wallpaper from its beginnings around 1500 to the present day. Hundreds of illustrations, not only of the papers themselves but also their settings in paintings and on the walls of contemporary rooms, offer a visual record of patterns for different uses, markets and tastes.wallpapers - history, interior decoration - history, wall coverings - history

non-fictionDecorating with wallpaper c.1840–1914 : a guide to assist in the conservation and restoration of buildings. National Trust of Australia (Victoria, 1987. Chapters: 1. Introduction; 2. Mid-nineteenth century; 3. Halls, stairs and passages; 4. 1870s period; 5. 1880s period; 6. 1890s period; 7. Early Twentieth Century; 8. Towards World War I; 9. Ceilings; 10. Colour notes; 11. Conservation noteswallpapers - history, interior decoration - history, wall coverings - history

non-fictionWilliam Morris : décor and design. Elizabeth Wildhide (ed.) Harry N. Abrams, 1991. 192 pages. Information on pattern-matching, wall and window treatments, floor coverings, tiles and furnishingswallpapers - history, interior decoration - history, wall coverings - history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a dado pattern. Three colour, repeat pattern of facing squirrels in brown on a green ground, bordered top and bottom in a brown on yellow design. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. Inscribed verso: No.14decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history, wallpapers -- dados

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., pattern. Monochrome, repeat pattern of a front facing bird contained in a roundel in pale grey on a darker grey ground, regularly interspersed on a geometric design. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., pattern. Monochrome, repeat pattern of fleur de lys in green on a paler green ground. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., pattern. Monochrome, repeat pattern of birds and flowers in brown on a paler pink ground. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., pattern. Monochrome, repeat pattern of inward and outward storks surrounding a Celtic knot in dark blue on a paler blue ground. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., pattern. Monochrome, repeat pattern of lions and rose bushes above the letters SS in a knot design in burgundy on a red ground. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., pattern. Monochrome, tightly designed repeat pattern of abstract flowers in a fan shape in cream on a green ground. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., dado border design. Monochrome, repeat pattern frieze of flowers in an urn with an alternating design including a facing fox and flamingo in black on a red ground. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history, wallpapers -- dado borders

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co design. Monochrome, repeat pattern of fleur de lys and acanthus leaves in green on a paler green ground. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co., pattern. Polychrome, repeat pattern of a flowering tree among meadow flowers with scrolling green and blue acanthus leaves. Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction by Sanderson & Co from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

Board wrapped w c.17m of heavy bullion fringe in several pieces, evidently unpicked from curtains (qv), and/or possibly furniture items. The fringe is composed of metallic thread tightly wound over a cotton thread, attached to a narrow header braid with an ornamental design worked in metallic gimp cord. The colour was originally gold, now tarnished on all parts exposed to air, but sections of the fringe under the top layers retain the luxurious gold finish.

This is the same gimp as on the curtains. Probably saved because it was beautiful and expensive, but inherently decontextualised from its original historic use.Length of decorative upholstery gimp, unpicked from original curtains and wound onto a piece of card for storage. Gimp is a type of upholstery trim. a flat tape made up of threads or fine cords forming a wave or chain design, held in place by another wavy cord to produce an openwork, geometric braid. In this item, the cords are respectively light blue and metallic gold (much of it tarnished to silvery colour). The gimp is en suite with the set of curtains and their ornaments (qv) - another luxurious trimming for expensive furnishings.upholstery trimmings