Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-18
INTERIOR DECORATION.
Eastlakc and Early Eng,isb Giving
Way to the Renaissance.

GRACE AND ELEGANCE SOUGHT FOR, AND An
TrQUE DESIGNS STUDIED - STAINED GLASS,
WROUGHT IRON AND BRASS.
From the Cine mat. Enquirer.
A revolution backward in point of time is
working in house-decoration. Eastlake and
early English have each had their day, and deco
rators turning to the Renaissance-espe-
caly the Flemish renaissance fresh inspira-
ton. Oak and stamped leather are the favorite
materials, and wainscOting is carried unusually
high Highly ornamented ceilings and friezes
finish the mural decoration. Stained glass is
Coming more into use, especially in the new sub
dued tnts, which give mellow effect highly
desirable in a window which, is intended for
something more than u show-piecc to be Occa-
siOnaly @azed upon. The world of culture is
being SLOWLY elevated to the true principles OF
art "a applied to the settings Of domestic life
and people of wealth and refinement find some
thing more To live up to than blue china alone
The tendency is toward symphonies in color and
away from contrasts of COMPLIMENTARY colurS
therefore toward harmony. This is seen In the
new designs for interiors so far rs color enters
In as component part OF the effect
NEW IDEAS IN FURNITURE.
The Chippendale or Colonial style Is some
what fayorite IN designs for interiors
while others are after models more antique
Grace and elegance characterize these, and
harmony of ornamentation, which Is not so
Obtrusive and meaningless as In many examples
of the styles which are passing away. The new
furniture partakes of the same lichtncss and
elegance, and, indeed, this spirit is carried
rather to extremes sometimes, making articles
lo"h too spindi!n@ to be secure. Brass bed
steaois. too, are coming in and bid fair to be the
rage. With light curtains OF muslin and Madras,
they look very pretty, but do not suggest COM
fort
GAS FIXrTgES IN WROUGHT IRON AND BRASS.
With the Renaissance styles go the new gas
fixtures. some in wrought iron, others in pol
isheJ brass. and all with flowing lines and
yOiuteS. sometimes suggesting foliage and ten
drills, from whic;! spring the stems that bear the
light. They are very beautiful. and if they
should push entirely out OF existence the I'M
graceful. dark and heavy chandeliers which have
hitherto been regarded as sufficient, II will b., a
good thing for the taste of the coming genera
tions.
STAsiPED LEATHER AND LINCRUSTA.
The embossed leather referred to is a revival
OF a costly but beautiful material which lends
Itself readily to tie ideas of the decorator. Ii is
costly In the material aud the workmanship. for
the figures must all be embossed by hand but
this manner of work allows for amending yaria-
ton OF the pattern in the same piece or on the
same wall. while it has that superiority which
hand-work always bears to the product of ma
chnery. The luminous surface which glOws
with metallic tnts and gstcns at every boss of
the pattern. is Il delight To the eyes and whether
In wall hang!n@s on the backs or seats of
chairs, it Is very durable. almost as much so as
the material itself. substitute for walls is the
1incruSta Wilton. a material composed of
ground cork and oil. 1t is durable and will
stand spongng without losing the sharp lines OF
the patterns impressed upon it. in which it has
the advantage OF leather. Ii lacks the grain and
surface of the latter. though the luminosity of
The leather is sometimes cleverly initiated
STAINED GLASS AND MEXICAN ONYX.
In windows. besides stained glass the Robert
Mitchell Furniture Company are using the Mex
lean onyx. of which whole panes are made.
Some OF the slabs are two by three feet in sur
face When it is desired TO cut off the view
without losing light altogether this translucent
material is used. Through it strains mellow,
Wnit'sh light. highly agreeable to the eye.
MATERIALS FOR FURNITURE
Black walnut has been used so largely in the
past, and is satisfactory material for the
uses of the designer and under the tool of the
workman. that it is not likely to be totally
superseded. but the fayorite woods now for
furniture are mahogany, cherry and oak. espe-
cially antique oak. The harder woods are more
useful in the light. graceful designs in vogue
for movable furniture.
For furniture covers other than leather there
are many OF the well-known materials In the
new coiOrs and the revived designs of centuries
ago.
Brentwood furniture. an Austrian patent has
been introduced Articles in this style are
hght, elastic and indestructible. and will stand
any amount OF hard usage. Many of the de-
signs are graceful. though sometimes the curves
are carried beyond any relation to the use for
which the furniture is intended, and then bad
taste is shown.