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

A wallpaper sample donated to the collection by Frances Alexandra (Frankie) Derham (1894–1987). Derham was an Australian artist and educator. A lecturer in art at the Melbourne Kindergarten Training College (1928-64) , she later taught at the Associated Teacher Training Institution (1949-61). Her commitment to `child art’ developed after 1935 when she accepted an invitation from Margaret Lyttle to teach at Preshil school.Frances Derham's collection of nearly ten thousand children’s drawings and paintings was acquired by the Australian National Gallery in 1976. Her interest in art for and by children is reflected in her donation to the Villa Alba Museum of an important and rare collection of early wallpapers designed for children's rooms. Section of a longer nursery wallpaper dado depicting kittens playing with a groups of mice watching. Under the solid and fine lines creating a border at the top is a series of tassels on a green background. Above the similar lower border are sections imitating a wooden batons with the wood grain picked out in black on a yellow background. The colourway used in the sample includes outlines in black, grey, pale yellow and teal green.decorative arts & design, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history, wallpapers -- children's, frances derham, 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 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).Sections of a dado featuring a vertical design of roses and bows within bordered narrow panels. The colourway includes shades of pink for the roses, green for the leaves, and brown for the bows, against a solid yellow background. The white of the backing paper is used within the design to create an illusion of depth in the pattern.decorative arts & design, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

Part of a collection of historic wallpapers collected by Phyllis Murphy, most of whose wallpapers were donated to the collection of Historic Houses Sydney. This wallpaper sample, annotated and encased in mylar was used by Phyllis for educational purposes, and donated by her son to Villa Alba Museum's collection in 2025.c.1880 Asymmetrical dado design showing Japanese influence featuring stylised floral motifs including chrysanthemums and geometric borders in the "Aesthetic" style. This style was part of the 19th-century artistic movement that incorporated nature-inspired elements in structured, layered compositions. A strong Japanese/Chinoiserie influence was a hallmark of the era's decorative arts. P.D9 (f)heritage interiors, wallpapers, 19th century interior design, dado borders, aesthetic movement

Part of a collection of historic wallpapers collected by Phyllis Murphy, most of whose wallpapers were donated to the collection of Historic Houses Sydney. This wallpaper sample, annotated and encased in mylar was used by Phyllis for educational purposes, and donated by her son to Villa Alba Museum's collection in 2025.c.1880 Dado showing Japanese influence. The pattern is an intricate floral and geometric design, characteristic of Victorian-era decorative arts. It features stylised chrysanthemum-like flowers in muted yellow and brown tones, set within square and rectangular borders.P.D18 (f)heritage interiors, wallpapers, 19th century interior design, dado borders

Part of a collection of historic wallpapers collected by Phyllis Murphy, most of whose wallpapers were donated to the collection of Historic Houses Sydney. This wallpaper sample, annotated and encased in mylar was used by Phyllis for educational purposes, and donated by her son to Villa Alba Museum's collection in 2025.19th century border and matching corner for use as architectural detailing on a ceiling or for wall panel decoration. The pattern includes: whiplash curves, botanical inspiration and geometric accents. The central motif resembles a stylised flowerer lily. The flanking diamond mesh pattern (lattice style) provide a structured contrast to the central figure. The middle of the design, to be used as a dado or on a ceiling, simulates varnished planks of wood. P. B2 (m-c)heritage interiors, wallpapers, 19th century design, wallpaper borders, wallpaper corners, wallpapered ceilings

Part of a collection of historic wallpapers collected by Phyllis Murphy, most of whose wallpapers were donated to the collection of Historic Houses Sydney. This wallpaper sample, annotated and encased in mylar was used by Phyllis for educational purposes, and donated by her son to Villa Alba Museum's collection in 2025.c1905 Filling made by Janeway & Co, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; hung in domestic dining rooms in Kyneton and Parkville, Victoria. A large, ornate gold damask medallion with intricate scrolling and floral elements. Fine, alternating vertical stripes in deep red and a lighter shimmering gold. Similar design was also later used in dado borders.P.W10(n.f)heritage interiors, wallpapers, 20th century interior design

Part of a collection of historic wallpapers collected by Phyllis Murphy, most of whose wallpapers were donated to the collection of Historic Houses Sydney. This wallpaper sample, annotated and encased in mylar was used by Phyllis for educational purposes, and donated by her son to Villa Alba Museum's collection in 2025.An 1890s 'Sanitary' border design wallpaper, typically used in halls and passageways at the top of a dado. In the late 19th century, 'sanitary' referred to wallpapers printed with oil-base colours or water resistant inks, making them the first mass-produced wall coverings that could be wiped clean with a damp cloth This sample was probably printed using engraved copper rollers, which allowed for intricate shading and tonal variations. 1890s designs frequently featured large, trailing floral motifs or patterns imitating more expensive materials like tiles or wood panelling."P-B11 (f)heritage interiors, wallpapers, 19th century design, borders, 1890s, sanitary wallpapers

Part of a collection of historic wallpapers collected by Phyllis Murphy, most of whose wallpapers were donated to the collection of Historic Houses Sydney. This wallpaper sample, annotated and encased in mylar was used by Phyllis for educational purposes, and donated by her son to Villa Alba Museum's collection in 2025.Mid 19th century high quality wallpaper frieze. Block printed. The design features intricate floral motifs, foliage, and geometric patterns characteristic of Victorian-era decoration.P.F 24 (f)dado borders, heritage interiors, wallpapers, 19th century design