March 2007

Decorating For Music
Part III
Article By Rick Becker

Walls and Floors

The importance of properly damping a room and controlling acoustic reflections is well known and the audio industry has certainly offered effective solutions. Unfortunately, they are often less successful from an interior decorating perspective. I've found a number of more visually interesting solutions.

Capel (a manufacturer whose rugs I sell) came out with an interesting textured rug weave in both monochromatic and multi-colored combinations. You can use this on the floor as an area rug, or hung on a wall where you want room treatment that doesn't look like room treatment. At the opposite extreme, this area rug depicting a single bold seashell establishes an unmistakable theme that can also be used on the floor or on the wall like a picture. These rugs are available in a variety of sizes.

This surfboard shaped rug from Foreign Accents is not only whimsical, but appeals to contemporary ocean-side décor, no doubt.

Use your imagination on where to place it or hang it. This company specializes in relatively affordable contemporary area rugs.

Continuing with the seaside theme, I love the paintings of Guy Wilkins of Wachapreague on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Slip a sheet of compressed fiberglass behind the canvass and you might well cut down on the first reflection off your sidewall.

I've mentioned Tigerrags in previous columns and once again I found an outstanding new wall hanging. The design is created with the subtle use of texture and color and should do a very good job at reducing reflections from your walls or floor. At $2940, it is both machine washable and dryable. Custom designs close to your specific desires can also be produced. 

Andes Table — Chilean Cherry from Patagonia, a mountain hardwood, not a fruit tree. The black base is a veneer, Retail, about $1400.

And that wraps up our Decorating For Music III. Thank you for reading this year's entry into better listening room decor through artesian interior design. Please read the past two reports as there are many great products from excellent manufacturers.

Previous Articles

Decorating For Music I can be seen here (first published May 2005).

Decorating For Music II can be seen here (first published March 2006).

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