The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-23
IChicsgo Times.I

Houses are like human beings In some re-
specis; they may be improved, they may be
attractive, cheerful, and tasteful, or they
may be gloomy, uninvilng, and unattrac-
tive. 1t takes mole taste and ingenuity TO
decorate a single room successfully than 1t
docs to ornament person, for If the face
be pretty, the figure graceful, or the man.
ner attractive, one does nOt.nOtice the APP
pearance particularly; but in furnishing a
room the finishing touches must be given
by a master hand, for there is nothing in
the walls or ceiling, or floor, TO add to the
beauty OF the articles intended as decora-
ton.
Mauy Observation-Disclosures houses are so
unhomelke in appearance that one feels
sense of discomfort In the richly upholster.
ed parlors, which have the disadvantage OF
looking rs though they were reserved Tor
state occasions, or were too elaborate to be
considered as living rooms. The library In
one OF these elegant houses is fitted up with
beautifully. bound volumes Ia handsome
cases, easy. chairs, and all the necessary
pieces OF furniture, but there is a notable
lack of the thousand and one trif1es, dainty
rnamtnts, and quaint pieces OF brc-a-brac-
not necessarily old china, for the library
should not degenerate into a private
crockery store which fill in the spaces and
corners and half-iorgotten hooks, which il
neglec ed aud left vacant give an unhnish-
ed appearance 10 room.
In furnishing houses some people are apt
to forget or overlook the little thugs, and
seem 10 be oblivious to the fact that, after
the furniture itself, nothing goes so far to-
wards making a house attractive as pic.
lures. statUary, vases, and other small
articles Designed both for use and ornament.
The style of furnishing varies with different
seasons, but the change is gradual at first,
and a popular style is likely to remain
fashionable for some time. To have each
room
UNIQUE
in The general design is the aim OF many
ladies', and 10 accomplish this great atter-
tion i. paid TO all minor details. A suite Of
rooms Is furnished in corresponding sets (;
that is, the articles in each room are pecu-
liariy appropriate to the general plan OF
the whole apartment, and yet the same dis
tineuishing features are to be found in all
the other articles or pieces used. This
suite, intended as a model, consists OF par
Tor, bedroom, library, kitchen, and dining
room. A sketch OF their design will convey
some idea OF what is meant by artistic deco.
ration.
The kitchen is quite plain, and eonse-
auently no particular or special innovation
OF established usage; the dining-roOm has
dark but rich papering OF maroon and
gold, with Inserted panels, in colOred de-
signs, OF game; the furniture is solid, and
consists OF the necessary articles. The bed
room is striking in its way, and very effec-
tive; the paper on the walls Is OF a delicate
shade OF blue, the pattern being indistinct,
and consequently less likely to become
monotouous; at the top Is very deep bor-
der of pale blue and straw color, and the
ceiling Is papered so as TO match the walls ;
the window-hangin2s are OF chintz, or
French crieton 10 yellow and blue, and
darker tints; the carpet showing pattern
In The same colors. The furniture is OF
LB0YIzED WOOD
ialaid with gilt; the bed, and, In fact. the
entire set. is fashioned after The Eastlake
style. so much ia vogue at the present day.
The dressing-case has the handsome mirror
and dark marble slab. The library, which
comes next in order, is a perfect gem In its
peculiar style. The walls and ceiling are
covered with q japanese paper. in queer,
fantastic figures. This Is great advantage,
as one caU always have some new object In
this paper, and therefore 1t has not the set
appearance which is impaired by distinctly
Outlined figures. A pillar which occupies
space between the writing-desk and the
door is also papered, but Ia slightly diff
erent style. Bands OF velvet paper In plain
cardinal and other shades are varied with a
deep circle OF delicately tinted paper with
an exQuisiteiy graceful wreath OF roses and
daisies entwined upon II. The wooden
mantle supports handsome mirror, while
the crate Is hung with fan.sbaped folds OF
plush. The ccntre-table stands diagonally
across the floor, near the low but hand
someiy. finished book.ca The writing.
desk stands In one corner, and Is
quite an addition TO tue rest OF the furni-
turc. The parior Is papered IN dove.color
and gilt, and the upboIstering Is 10 brocade
end
CHERRY
wood this wood has become exceedingly
fsshioBsbIe, and IL consequently In great
demand; II 10 left Ia It's natural state or
ebonixed; the older II grows the darker II
becomes, until II resembles mahogany.
Ths fancy for ebouixed wood Il shown In
every esnecisabls manper; chairs, tables,