The walls and ceiling was not papered, but painted: you know what I mean; sort of panelled out, and decorated with stencils and hand painting.

This 'ere's a photer of it: it's done in a sort of JAPANESE fashion.' He handed the photograph to Owen as he spoke.

It represented a room, the walls and ceiling of which were decorated in a Moorish style.
'At first Mr Sweater thought of getting a firm from London to do it, but 'e gave up the idear on account of the expense; but if you can do it so that it doesn't cost too much, I think I can persuade 'im to go in for it.

But if it's goin' to cost a lot it won't come off at all.
'E'll just 'ave a frieze put up and 'ave the room papered in the ordinary way.' This was not true: Rushton said it in case Owen might want to be paid extra wages while doing the work.

The truth was that Sweater was going to have the room decorated in any case, and intended to get a London firm to do it.