Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1877-03-24

niShthare 10 housewives. Respecting
carpet materials, taste long ago declar.
ed against those flsmboyancies of figure
which our grandmothers loved so well
While a gala-day chamber may be
strewed with daisies for the welcome OF
our friends, in rooms subject to much
use, simplest geometric or fowery
arsbesques, which merely hint at floral
growth, will be more fitting; or, per-
haps, better still, such II fine, confused
minglng of tints as shall suggest moth
ing but soft dalliance with the foot.
The subject of ceilings and walls was
now taken up. There does not seem
to be any well-devised method of evad-
ing the usual plaster treatment. Plas-
ter ornamentation in heavy cornices
and stupendous central rosettes is hap
lily going out OF favor. Color decora-
ting is much better, as it is simpler,
cleanlier, and permits of renewal and
redisposition. Ambitious engarland-
ing of walls IN fresco may be well done,
but there is danger that il will kill all
the home embroidery which we love.
The same rules apply to ambitious pa
per-hangings of whatever sort; there
exists the additional objection that it
brings to surfaces new mechanical col
Ors, with their stock of adhesive mix
lures. Managers of our metropolitan
hotels run to garish ornamentation Of
their walls, thereby feeding the appe-
tites of those who measure elegance
solely by its cost, instead of cultivating
the more subdued styles which would
revive the old notion of home feeling
in connection with our pub ic hostel
ries. But from all we fall back upon
simple tinting of plain mortar mot
plaster) surfaces in kalsomine, as Sc
curing at 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 Gifts very commences and tint,
that appreciation for interior finish for
which it is worthy. The natural grain
and tints of all woods are much fuller
and richer than all the dead, dull paint,
with its tswny 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-
I'd. The wainscot is a charming way
10 protect walls. II the house be such
in its proportions that we desire to en-
phasize height, the wainscot should be
made low; il the contrary, it should
be high. There should be nothing
in the tints. They may be
raried almost indefinitely. The lectur-
Or had used, with pleasing effect, sue
,essive strips of walnut, butternut,
chestnut, ash. and yellow pine, repeat
I'd in companies, and tied to their place
BY a longitudinal fillet of the dentilated
Venetian molding. Naturally, the fire.
place and mantel will next demand at
ention. Fire-places are great promOt-
,rs of health, 50 they secure great ven-
.ilation. OF the different varieties, the
French pattern, uncertain of draft and
Of heat, and the British style,
we'll adapted to bituminOus coal, are ex-
,elled by the old New England fire.
place, which is broader and wider, and
veil adapted to generous wood fires.
The equipment of the mantel IS mat
er of first importance in giving express
ion to room, and is deserving of care
ul study.
Finally, the general assemblage or ar
depends on this: The oread-
illness Of too much rigidity, and that
lone taste should everywhere find ex-
,ression in q fhonsand delinhtfnl ,raus