In the second half of the eighteenth century walls were panelled only as far as the dado, leaving the area above plastered flat and ready for paint or wallpaper. Wallpaper was still relatively expensive, as is suggested in this portait of the Middleton family; John Middleton was a colourman (maker of paints) and wallpaper manufacturer and his is shown in his parlour, hung with plain blue wallpaper edged with a coloured border.