The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-03-23

simple tinting Of plain mortar (nol
plaster) surfaces in kalsomine, as Sc
curing nj least cost and least hazard
Of cleanliness the best range Of effect.
The artistic effect Of an interior will
depend largely upon wood fixtures
doors, wainscots, etc. Much better
than paint Is the plan of showing the
natural granting Of various woods
While this treatment is called "hard-
wood finish" hard wood is BY no
means essential. nor are costs necessa-
rily greater. Butternut and chestnut
are not more expensive TO work than
pine. And, fortunately, our pine the
strobus OF the botanists--has lost, by
reason Of its very commences and tint,
that appreciation for interior finish for
which il is worthy. The natural grain
and tints Of all woods are much fuller
and richer than all the dead, dull paint,
with its tawny yellow Of oils, Of the
decorators. As to the extent OF wood
in wainscots, every mans home and
wants must make the law. Conven-
tionalities and unyielding edicts Of car
penters and architects are TO be distrust-
ed. The wainscot Is charming way
To protect walls. II the house be such
in its proportions that we desire to en-
phasizc height, the wainscot should bc
made low; II the contrary, 1t should
be high. There should be nothing
startling in the tints. They may be
varied almost indefinitely. The lectur-
er had used, with pleasing effect, sue
cessiye strips OF walnut, butternut,
chestnut, ash. and yellow pine, repeat
ed in companies, and tied TO their place
by longitudinal iillet Of the dcntilated
Venetian holding. Naturally, the fire.
place and mantel will next demand at
tention. Fire-places are great promot-
ers Of health, rs they secure great ven
tilation. or the different varieties, the
French pattern, uncertain Of draft and
81 aryeling Of heal, and the British style,
we'll adapted 10 bituminous coal, are ex-
celled by the old New England fire.
place, which Is broader and wider, and
well adapted to generous wood fires.
The equipment of the mantel is mat
ter Of first Importance in giving express
sion to room, and is deserving ofcare-
full study.
Finally, the general assemblage or AR
rangement depends on this: The dread
fulness Of too much rigidity, and that
home taste should everywhere find ex.
preston in thousand delightful ways
The central and best adornment Of the
winter home Is the blaze from the fire.
side. The decorators, with all their
arts and all their vermilion and gilt,
can not match it. We might well spare
our spendings in other directions for
the sake OF keeping alive the flame, so
full Of traditional character. so full Of
joyousness and cheer. 1t is the wisest,
fullest, fittest, and richest of all the dec
orative adjuncts of home room. II re-
deems poverty OF equipment. II sheds
cheerful illumination over the scantiest
of floors. The lecturer closed with
these words; In the little have said.
have tried not so mucb TO follow out
the line Of progress laid down by recent
art writer's on the subject, as 10 stimu-
late a thinking for oneself. Indeed,
haverun counter to great many views
which have strong support. But be-
lieye honesty and simplicity and
strength and straightforwardness and
naturalness lie at the bottom Of all
healthy art movement in this direction;
and think that with these held coura-
geously by in our work, though we may
do no fine thing, we shall do no bad
thing. And when once we have learned
to avoid the doing Of bad things, in
what concerns the aesthetics Of every
day life, we shall have made long
stride forward.