Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-04

From the Art Amateur
In many houses ceilings have. until late wears
been treated simply to a coating or two Of
whitcwash: no trouble has been taken To make
them anything more than clean. Most decora-
tors have seemed to consider that with the walls
all Ornamentation must cease. and when at last
the idea dawned upon them that more was re-
quired at their hands. il was the cornice that
first attracted their attention. This was conse-
quently picked out in all varieties of colOrs.
and still the ceiling remained dead white cold
and uncoinpromising. The decoration of ROOM
like picture will be judged whole and as
whole it is incomplete until the ceiling space
has been so utilized that ii may contribute its
full share to the color yradations OF the general
scheme. The several ways in which il may be
brought 10 bear out the artists
conception claim therefore some slight notice.
In rooms where the use of much gas is ndis-
pensable. the surface should he one thai can lie
easily renewed: this probably is eSle of the rea-
Sons that willtewash has been so generally used.
The addition Of little chrome To the white will,
however. form cream tint that il far prefera-
bic TO the dead white. III viii carry on the tones
OF the cream wall tints. and Yet be subject TO no
opectlon on the score Of CLEANLINESS. the re-
newal OF cream or gray bueI!nted cell
ing being as easy as that of a crude white.
IL the comice is picked out with colurs the
RUE TO be observed is that blue should be
used on concave surfaces. yellow on convex,
and red on the Hat portions or undcrsides Oithe
mouidlngs, the colors being separated by white.
When ceilings are papered, simple patterns are
most suitable. if too elaborate they do not show
well. Tie ground may be cream color, light
dark. or gray blue; or paper IN which tue
pfjmaryc0lors are SO combined in small Quantities
that radiant glowing effect. after the Persian
style, is produced may Ice advant ageously en-
ployed in this case the design Will Of necessity
be rather more intricate. But the difficulty
that meets US in the way Of following cut such
decoration is, that these ''bloomy
papers are seldom to be- obtained al
though they are now becoming 10y slow
degrees more fashionable TIE soft.
subtle sage and olive greens, the iRdescrOAUie
shades OF bronzes and grays. beautiful a. the!
are. pail upon the observer when every house
he enters bears the self-same dull tones ana
more brilliant colors are gradually taking theH
places. III each one would boldly suihe
out path for himself, instead OF lazl9
initiating Oeighbor who happens 10
know what is in vogue at the moinehI.
a Charming conceit. a novel design. a qaauh
fancy, or successful combination oil hues,
would continue to be viewed with pleasure ion
a much longer period than is now l'ossiole.
Seeing 1T less often we should not so soon~e1!
OF 1t aud discard it for something newer stu.
But III Is I'm painting ceiling that the atl~
mas the greatest scope for showing his powei,s..
center ornament affords him an opporfuhh!
OF arranging his colors so that Il endi ~
m agnihcence lights up the whole room shee
ding glory Of color and gold around. ana ~
calling visions OF the radiance and billlance OF ON
Arabian art. Or it may be that the SURROUNDING
tints require tender. softened tone to com-
piete the harmony. III the painted center w
cupIes large portion of the ceiling. no coln..
ornaments are needed, q pale delicate li;s
covers the remaining space, and the corbi.e
decorated; but should the center be siDali, ~
9ulres corner-peces to equalize the decorau',n =.
When such is the case. the cornice ma.
picked out In various shades and colors, OF s'"
ply treated with the fiat tint of the ceiling.