Western Reserve chronicle and weekly transcript of the times. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1854-1855, 1855-01-03
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HOUSE FURNITURE AND FASHION.

HOUSE FURNITURE AND FASHION.
If tits true that the general character
of room depends on the architectural
I forms and lines which compose its walls,
ceilings, doors, and windows, it is no less
true that the expression of the same room
largely depends on the manner in which
1t is furnished. To satisfy ones self on
this point, it is only necessary to look at
the same apartment, or suite of apart
ments, with and without furniture. In
the one case, it has, to be sure, the in
trinsic elements of proportion, symmetry,
and suitable architectural decoration
but it wants all that variety, intricacy,
and significance Of meaning which the
same room has, when filled with furn-
iture in keeping with its uses, and the
scocial life of those who inhabit it. As
smile or glance, in familiar conver-
saiion, often reveals to us more of the
real character of professional man than
long study of him at the pulpit or the
bar, so table or a chair will sometimes
give us the key to the intimate tastes of
those who might be inscrutable in the
hieroglyphics of white walls and plain
ceilings. How often does the interior of
the same house convey to US totally
different impression, when inhabited and
furnished by different families. In the
one case, all is as cold hard,
and formal, as solid mahogany and mar
bic top centre-tables, alias, bare conven-
tiOnalites and frigid scOcial feeling, can
make it; in the other, all is as easy and
agreeable as low couches, soft light
chintzes and cushions-aIias, cordiality,
and genuine, frank hospitality can rem
der it.
More than this, ii it so happens that
one is forced to inhabit house meagre
and poor in its interior, its badness and
poverty may be, in great degree, con-
cealed or overcome, by furnishing the
rooms in tasteful and becoming man
her.
1t is, therefore. by no means irrele
want that we should devote some little
space to this subject of furniture of coun
try houses. Our fair readers will doubt
less pardon US for the seeming intrusion
on their province, when we say that our
object is mainly to furnish them with
reasons for the natural good taste which
they usually show in this department,
and point out the shoals on which those
few who fail from want of native percep-
ton are wrecked, so that they may, if
possible, be avoided.
And here we may be allowed to prose
a little, at the outset, by an illusion to
the blunders committed by many per-
sons in furnishing house. We mean
the blunder of cOnfounding fashion with
taste >; of supposing that whatever the
cabinet-makers and upholsterers turn
out as the latest fashion, must necessari-
ly be the only things worth having; and
of total ignorance Of the fact, that the
most fashionable furniture may be IN
the worst taste, while furniture in the
most correct taste is not always
such as is easily obtained in the cabinet
warehouses.
Tasteful furniture is, simple, furniture
remarkable for agreeable and harmoni-
Gus lines and firms, well adapted to the
purpose in view. Furniture in correct
taste is characterized by its being design
ed in accordance with certain recognized
styles, and intended to accord with apart
ments in the same style. Furniture in
"good keeping" adds to correctness in
point of taste, propriety of color, char
acter, form and material, which BELTS
the use for which it and the apartment
in which it was placed are Intended
Thus, the furniture of the hall, however
correct, would not be in good keeping
with the dining room, nor the furniture
of the dining room in keeping with the
library.
The great advantage which furniture
N correct taste has over merely fashion
able furniture is, that the latter is no soon
er out of fashion-which may happen
in a twelvemonth-than 10 its whole
charm and power of pleasing is lost to its
possessor. 1t must, therefore, be sent
to auction, or consigned to the upper sto-
ry, and more, of the latest mode, put in
its place-while furniture in correct taste,
depending upon its excellence and the
adaptation of its forms and lines to the
apartment of whose architecture it is an
echo, never loses its power ofpleasing,
but only grows dearer to us by age and
association.
Again, the power which furniture OF
correct taste has, of affording us pleas
ure, does not depend on rich materials
or elaborate execution-though it may,
in many cases, be heightened by them.
1t arises rather from the mind which il
evinces-the evidence it conveys at a
glance that it is part of the same plan,
idea, or conception which is shown in
every other part of the house, or enters
into the very room where it is placed.
We are thus made to feel that the furni.