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Becky Witsell is no stranger to our readers. Last year our Source Book issue took us to Little Rock, Arkansas, and one of the lovely homes featured in that issue was the Witsell's Hanger House, built in the 1870's and remodeled in 1889 in the Queen Anne style. The Witsells have been restoring the home for years, and during one of the many projects, Becky discovered traces of stenciling from the 1880's hidden under the peeling wallpaper. Making tracings, color documenting, and cutting and making stencils to restore what she found led Becky to a new career. Becky is now nationally renowned for her work in documenting and recreating historic painted decoration. A graduate of Washington University School of Fine Arts in St. Louis, Missouri, her painting and printmaking talents are now devoted to restoring the work of unknown craftsmen from 100 years ago. Joining forces with the well-known stencil firm of Epoch Designs to create "The Becky Rogers Witsell Collection," Becky now shares her 25-year apprenticeship with the craftsman whose work she has uncovered with those who wish to recreate these patterns in their own home. Epoch Designs offers these authentic stencil room sets in an easy-to-use, precut format on 5 ml. Mylar. Each design is color separated for easy application with complete instructions. The Philadelphia Inquirer/ Friday, Feb. 26th, 1993 Stenciling on walls usually brings to mind two words: country and cute. Hearts and flowers, vines and early American pineapple motifs are what stencils have been largely limited to. But when Elwyn designer Kim Black began decorating her 1890 Victorian home a few years ago, she began searching for authentic patterns from that era. She and her business partner, Anna Marie Biscoe, researched turn-of-the-century pattern books and resurrected many classic border designs. The result is a mail-order business, Epoch Designs, that offers a collection of authentic 19th-century stencils. Designs are as eclectic and elaborate as the Victorian style, or the exotic Persian Motif and Moorish Accent. There is an intricate rococo and even an elegant deco. The precut Mylar stencils are reusable and allow for great flexibility in application. They're inexpensive as well - even a moderate-priced reproduction wallpaper border is much more expensive that a painted, stenciled one. Lucinda Fleeson Old House Journal/ March/April 1996 ADD AN EXOTIC ELEMENT to the top of walls in formal rooms or hallways with the Persian Motif - an intricate stencil border with ogee-shaped arches. Stenciling has been popular in America since its earliest days as a nation, so stencils are an appropriate touch for many period homes. Epoch Designs offers precut stencils in a variety of styles - from Victorian to Rococo to Art Deco. Some of the new patterns include a Primrose Swag and Drop, a children's frieze called Bedtime, and Victorian Wisteria. Country Living/ January 1993 HISTORY REPEATED - From our "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" files: When decorating her 1890 Victorian house several years ago, Pennsylvania designer Kim Black discovered her pattern choices for pre-cut stencils were limited to Early American or floral motifs. Undaunted, Ms. Black and her business partner, Anna Marie Biscoe, researched turn-of-the-century design - a hunt that yielded Epoch Designs, a collection of authentic Victorian stencils. Resurrected from period catalogues, these reusable Mylar stencils evoke classic period details, such as the elaborate Persian border. Old House Interiors/Fall 1998 REPEATING PATTERS - Victorian rooms need the rich ornamentation provided by wall and ceiling stencils. Epoch Designs provides a range of stylistic patterns. Women's Day Home Decorating Ideas/ June 1991 The Victorians were not afraid of details and patterns in their decorating schemes; in fact, they reveled in them. If you're equally enthusiastic about full-spirited interiors, take a look at Epoch Designs' collection of authentic 19th century stencils for embellishing your walls in high Victorian style. The patterns reflect the era's eclectic tastes and its turn toward the exotic, with such designs as an intricate "Persian Motif" and a rich "Rococo" border. Yet some are as simple as the rippled stripes of "Undulations" or the plain geometry of angled "Diamonds." There's also a nod toward the following century with a sleek "Deco" trim. Epoch's mail-order catalog points out that the precut, Mylar plastic stencils are easy to use and allow for creativity in placements, color and combinations. Stenciling can also be cost-effective, since for the one initial cost you can decorate a large room or several spaces. If you move or repaint a room, you don't have to reinvest. More Articles can be found at: Victorian Homes Fall 1991,Persian Motif Victorian Homes |
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