Like most things mid-century, wallpaper is making a comeback in a big way. Join Duane Timm, owner of Bassett & Vollum, as he discusses the national and international designers the company has in its collection, including Marion Dorn, Kenneth Brozen, and Chicago's own Edgar Miller.

Along with the lecture, participants will be welcomed to explore and handle an array of printed samples straight from Bassett & Vollum's collection.

Founded in 1936 by Emile Bassett and George Vollum, Bassett & Vollum Wallpapers was on the cutting edge of Design Post-WWII. Now located in Davenport, IA, Basset & Vollum's list of clients includes major museums, historic houses and many private residences.

Duane Timm is a graduate of Iowa State University. He has designed numerous patterns in Bassett & Vollum's collection, including Sunflowers for Jeannie plus other patterns to be featured.

This event is free and open to the public.

This event is presented in conjunction with the Design Museum of Chicago's current exhibition, A Designed Life: Contemporary American Textiles, Wallpapers, and Containers & Packaging, 1951–1954, from University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC). A Designed Life is curated by Margaret Re and organized by the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, UMBC with support from the Coby Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Knoll, Inc. A Designed Life is open until September 19 and can be viewed daily from 11am–4pm at our Expo 72 gallery at 72 E Randolph St.