The Portland daily press., 1879-03-25

Blue and the other new Tints.-Cre.
tonnes and their Usrs.-Russ and other
Carpetings.-som me Novelties iu Chni,s-
What it costs 10 furnish Country. house
Draw ing RoOm.
AT q recent hcuse-warmiDg in London,
when, after dinner, the lady guests were taken
through the house, every oue commented on
the peculiarly harmonious blending of color
and design. The drawing rooms were richly
hung in deep crimson, with touches of old
| gold heavily embossed; portieres scarcely
touched the floor, but below the curtains of
rich duh hues the shining surfaces of polished
woods had very fee effect. In one room
where there were some tapestry hangipgs of
those peculiar shades known only to the wea.
| vers OF olden time-blues ard reds that ara
dull but unfaded-the furniture was all carved
oak or walnut; there was no CONTRACT ,tory yari-
| ETY. of color, nothing that could break the har-
mony ct those quantity tinted figures on the
wall. Tapestry of the fourteenth century In a
| room flushed with the colors of newer time
would be ruinous; but here there was DO such
incopgruity. The carvings lent stately grace
to the room; such pictures as were In it were
all well chosen; engravipgs exqasitely fire,
| and framed simply, with very little effect of
gliding, but sombre outline of deep crimson
IN the passs-Dartout In the boudoir the
chintze5 were dainty, but not wearisome, the
groundwork Ct olive green, npou which a
hereysuekle lifted itself with rich blos-
SONS, wresthiDg with the careless grace Of ma
tute Here there was carved mantel OF light
woods, flooring to correspond, an upright
piano against crimson screen, while tie car-
pet was large rug of Wilton make, 10 which
the greens were blended with white and pale
line of ambe-. Toe ch ,rs wers light bamboo
stuffed and with chinz coverings; the couch
wide and luxurious, with chintz-cushoued
seats and pillows and the back and sides of
artistically twisted bamboo. There was a
ledge OF flowers rather high up in projecting
easement, where stained glass alternated with
white panes, and on either side tall pots of
fern lifted their beads to the gay little border
ing above. There is no space to speak of the
other rocms, though the harmonious effects
were multiplied We are merely introducing
our sntjsct, for as the party soon discovered.
this artistic fitness was maiuly due to Mr..
William Morris, that versatile worker whose
fame Seginning with poetry, has taken Sec
ond fight since he condescended to reform and
design house furnishings.
Some seven or eight years ago, Mr. William
Morris, the author of the "Earthly Paradise"
aud an artist of no small power, conceived the
idea OF improving household decoration, and
with this purpose in view entered into that
crusade OF form and color which Eas.ske and
few others had begun to preach. Mr. Morris
began by designing some patterns for the wall
draperies and carpets of his own friends and
these being much admired, his opinion was
sought by many. But Mr. Morris was in no
haste to work for the multitude; his theory was
that coDgrnity should bs the abiding charm of
every household, and it was impossible to en-
fosce this with uine-tenths of those who would
have liked to avail themselves of bis skill.
Gradually it became known to a special few
that William Morris, the poet and painter, was
willing to design for home FURNISHINGS; WALL
papers, dados, friezes, screens, rugs, and dra-
peres designed in his studio began to be seen
more frequently, and were easily recognized:
for in all that he touched there was HARMONY
a completeness and finish, and, above all. a
plquant originality. For a long time Mr. Nor
IT'S and his co-laborers worked only on special
commissions; indeed, 1t is only within the last
year or two that the quiet rooms on Oxford
street have been open to the public, and TO this
day commissions are accepted under certain re-
strctions. gentleman from Devonshire, 60
ing into the warerooms not long since, asked TO
see the book of drawings from which models of
furniture may be selected. When it was placed
before him, the Exeter man turned over the
pages, saying be wanted mautel; and coming
at last upon the drawing of an exquisite three
storied mantel with twisted sides, he said, care
essly, II like that: what will you make me
that for?'
~ bsg your pardon, SIR said the clerk, DC
ltely we never execute any order without
knowing first the proportions of the room and
the Surroundings"
Proportions exclaimed the Davoniap.
What does that matter to you? say 1 want
your confounde9 new-fangled chimney piece,
and that's all about if.''
I'VE always consider the surr1undings, sir:
and what is to 90 the Shelves"
go on the shelves!" shouted the wrathfol
customer. "Shells are going on it, and wax
work under glass, and stuffed birds, and-con-
found your impudencs, sir, what business il it
OF yours, anyhow My wife will put whatever
she likes on it, sir; and cut he walked in fierce
indignation.
This will serve to illustrate Mr.. Morris's idea
he does notsiDtend to send on work simply be-
cause IL Is the fashion, but only where il will be
really appropriate and useful; hence unsuitable
orders are declined
The rooms in Oxford street are far from os-
tentatlous or conspicuous outwardly. In a fine
corner window few rich draperies are hupg-
not sign of the usual 'scaptrap'' of London
shop windows is visible. Within is the simplest
room, with counter and shelves and few
cnalrs. Beyond this is large room in which
sne draperies papers, rugs, etc, are displayed.
inere Is no effort at any kind of ornamental
tlon, though the few stuffs disposed about give
color to the rooms; the screens across which the
chntzes are thrown for inspection are usually
hung with some rich soft drapery which gives
cheelful effect, and there is over all sense of
complete harmony and good taste. Only sam
pies are shown here; cravings and estimates
are made, and the articles chosen are scot from
the Ioeen Square warerooms. Londoners COM
plain that Morris & Company are very high
| priced; perhaps they are, unless the quality Of
the wares, the eutire novelty of the designs
and the inpossibility of buying quite the
same in other establishments be taken
into consideration. To Americans, however,
they must seem reasonable enough; rich car
petlpgs cost from two to six dollars per yard,
IN colors pecnliarly soft and rich. the pome-
granate, honeysuckle and primrose bsing favor
lte shades for figures and backgrounds, but We
Can not describe in words the artistic fitness
Dolh OF color aid lracery. Green carpets or
idiBe rugs Win nat op6D-petalIeu blossoms OF
creamy white are considered by Mr.. Morris to
be especially adapted to light woods In fooriDg
and wanscoting, touch of dlmask being in-
troduced in the drspery of the rogm. An ex-
quiste rug we saw there was in DOR a curious
blending of old gold and the deep Queen's
blue" the border shaded perfectly, while drsp-
cry to correspond was oio gold with fine hair
line trscery of the blue, blossoms occasionally
falling from the tendrils but in no way burden
ing the pattern. These colcIs would only be
suitable for a room 10 occasional use as the
tones are.too pronounced to be constantly agree
able to the eye: but with some lace draperies
white wool mat, chairs OF soft finish, with
touches OF old gold and blue on white cloth,
they were said to be wonderfully lovely.
Chinizes vary in price from one dollar to
! four yard and these are used at present in
| many Of the most luxurious Eoglisb drawing
rooms; they are Indeed, of so rich quality and
SO beautiful in design that no drapery could be
moIs pleasing, although of course the artistic
upholsterers have many of richer fabrics 10
show at every price. The dark bright "Qneen's
blue" in large leafg pattern on white
| ground, IS highly Commended as lending itself
favorahlv to other colorS in room Curtains