The invention of chemical dyes in the first half of the century allowed the use of vibrant colours in textiles and wallpapers, as can be seen in this portrait of Mr Lambert, a ship chandler in east London, seated in his parlour. Around the middle of the century the prevailing taste amongst the middle classes was for elaborate decoration on both furniture and fittings such as fire surrounds and gaslights. Often a wide variety of ornaments and pictures were displayed, on almost every available wall and surface.