Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1955)

£ A group of designs indicating the range of choice in stock patterns of contract carpeting suited to theatres. All of these are from the Gulistan line of A. & M. Karagheusian, Inc. The two patterns at leftfeature brightly colored, large-scale designs in the Ridgefield quality. At right is a contemporary design on a smaller scale appropriate for a small, intimate theatre with modern decor. jwafi I Other patterns in the Gulistan line include the one at left and immediately right featuring a block and a geometric design. At far right is another modern pattern for a small intimate theatre. Illustrative of a custom-designed Gulistan carpet employing a theatre's "trademark" is that shown in the photo at right below which was created for the Bonfils theatre in Denver to specifications. t tre, and any of these designs can be made in a color scheme especially worked out to suit the interior of his theatre. To lend a really distinctive note to the decor of a theatre, a special design can be created using a motif such as the theatre’s initials, trademark, or a design expressing the “personality” of the theatre. This has been done with notable success at the Radio City Music Hall, which has an exclusive pattern featuring a stringed musical instrument which has been worked in with free-form designs. It is not necessary, however, to carpet an area as large as the Music Hall in order to have a special pattern designed to the theatre owner’s specifications. Many carpet companies, including the manufacturers of Gulistan carpet, will have a custom design made up for a moderate-sized order from theatre owners. The choice of carpet should be the basis for planning a successful theatre decor. The carpet usually provides the largest single area of color and pattern, consequently other decorations should be keyed to it. Obviously, one would not choose a carpet with a Victorian floral motif for a theatre with an ultra-modern, steel-andglass decor. Neither should a very bold, angular design be used as the basis for the decor of a cozy, almost home-like theatre. Correct choice of carpet can add much to a theatre’s attractiveness. In theatres where glass doors are used, making the lobby visible from the street, an attractive, warm looking carpet helps to extend an invitation to passers-by. If the proportions of a theatre lobby are not ideal, the pattern in the carpet can do much to lead the eye and minimize the defects in proportions. SELECT SUITABLE CARPET Selecting a carpet which will stand up under the hard wear it will receive dayafter-day in a theatre is, of course, extremely important. Since carpet is a rarely purchased item, a theatre owner is usually not an authority on the subject. His best source of help is a reliable dealer in commercial or contract carpet who will help him choose a grade suitable to the needs of his theatre. There are three principal factors which determine the quality of carpet ; these are the factors a theatre owner should investigate when he is shopping for carpet : ( 1 ) Type and grade of fiber used. Top quality wool is used almost exclusively in carpet made by reputable manufacturers for use in commercial installations. Wool has excellent properties which make it a good carpet fiber. It is durable — selected long, strong, tough wool fibers assure maximum serviceability. Wool is resilient — the yarn is springy, making a cushiony carpet with excellent recovery from crushing. (2) Depth and density of the pile — that is, the number of tufts to the square inch. Deep pile is an indication of high quality in a carpet. The density of pile is governed by the closeness of carpet construction. The denser the pile, the more durable the carpet. (3) Resilience of the pile — ability to spring back after being subjected to pressure. When choosing new theatre carpet the cost is, of course, an important factor in making the final decision. However, in buying carpet it is a pretty good rule-ofthumb that you get what you pay for. Cost and value are closely intermingled as the price of raw material used, principally imported wool, is a very important factor in determining the ultimate price of carpet to the consumer. And the amount of wool used — density and height of pile — is the best gauge of the quality of the carpet. BETTER THEATRES SECTION 19