The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-18
HOME AND HOUSEHOLD.

And ne never was seen not none no more.
HOME AND HOUSEHOLD.
House Decorations.
Every year the artistic fitting and furnishing
OF dwelling houses is rec ewing more and more
attention. Artists Of highest rank are engaged
in designing. and most skilled workmen in
making the papers, carpets, and furniture
which are placed on sale all over our land The
best place in parlor for surface decoration is
the ceiling, for the reason that the wall and
floor are moro or less. covered. AS to the lat
err, it does not seem consistent with either good
taste or good common sense to place our finest
tournaments under foot or when, in order that
We or our guests may see and admire it, 1t shall
be necessary to be Of downcast countenance
or to have to shift the position of
the furniture that the strong points
of our carpets may not have been
made in vain; As to the walls, they are, in
our pictures, ornaments, ETC., and should be
treated as such. There is not much room for
display of ornamentation on them without de-
tracing from the effect of what we have hung
or placed upon them. The ceiling has another
advantage as place for decoration-that 1t is
parlors are most used by gas-light or other ar
tifioisl light, the ceiling is the best lighted
surface in the room, having fewer shadows
and more direct light than the walls have.
As rule, avoid too dark q paper for the
room; most dark papers absorb light much
eolors in dark tones appear dingy unless bril-
liantly lighted while the lighter tints are of ton
improved by artificial light Above all things,
do not fall into the vulgar error Of trying to
match paper to the carpet by getting them as
nearly of the same color as is possible This
m a a al wi in tbn
taste and refinement of the occupants would
lead one to expect better things One moro
caution, and we will proceed with our exam
pie. Do not use papers that are struc-
tural-i g., those designs that have a
sr a pssEas oe those sr0, Which sp0h nass
strongly marked features, as well defined
trellises or lines. This description of design is
very we'll in its proper place, but not in the
parlor, where tue wall decoration should be
secondary to what is placed on the wall; all
pronounced features or lines tend to lead the
eye to look for their termination. Never put a
pattern on the parlor wall that has detached
figures, such Us the spotty gilt papers Of bv-
gone years, which were tolerable sometimes
when seen in the roll; but their lonely little
buds or leaves, repeated at intervals over an
the viewer toward arithmetical calculation
Avoid all papers Of the bouquet sort for the
reason that your wall should present the an.
pearance of soft blending OF harmo-
NOUS colors, and not picture often
bad enough when seen alone, but in.
d ntsy Of me than ,a s perhaps hun
ground of the wall paper may be old ivory
color or cream, or very pale pearl. Recolleot
that light papers often appear much more in
tense after being hung because Of the refleo-
ton Of the opposite wall. This is especially so
near the corners. It is we'll not to forget this.
IL mr. hat 10 ho~ H..
intense in color. They should be very light
and clear-looking, but must not be SO colorless
as to be free from all expression. Let us, for
the sake Of example, suppose that the ground
is an old ivory color, which is clear, trans
parent color that Is often found on
shade Of ereenish gray, something like the
under side Of the willow leaf; but this tint must
be delicate, just sufficiently pronounced to be
easily distinguished; but great care must be
used in selecting, lest the colors have q hard
and scratchy look. As for the kind of design,
vided the color is what 1t ought to be. These
are slender and graceful scroll patterns Of the
Greek style Of ornament in slightly darker
shade than the ground. with or without
little gold. Be careful about using gold
gold spoil the eot The 1 goid s vss h oo
much attention, thus preventing tho delicacy
which we desire. The scroll should be slender
in form, and should be large enough to dis
play its curves we'll. small-fgured patterns
Of this description are very suitable for bed
should be large enough 10 have expression
aud grace. But it should not be heavy OF
massive in the least; or, il one prefer more
naturalistic treatment, there are very suitable
ones made now. whose pattern consists
Of slender vines, whose leaves and
form very pleasing effect of two or three
subdued colors. would not advise the use Of
papers with bright shades Of color or much
gold; indeed, should prefer paper without
gold. Two or three tints are enough for parlor
walls, especially when it is desired that the ef-
feet be light and delicate-two or three shades
of light buff, shading soft velum color 10
light tint that il very clear and a very light
cream or very pale turquoise tint or cream, or
any cool color. Avoid lavenders and pinks,
which are never satisfactory for parlors and
too chilly and hard looking.
In most houses the dining room is second
OILY in Importance to the parlor, consequently
the decoration is to DO most carefully consid-
cred. The dining room should not be as bright
as the parlor, and yet it should not be dull in
its appearance Its decoration should be sug-
gestive of what is sometimes called "solid COM
fort" but it may be treated with great ele-
gance. dining room may be as rich as a par
Tor. but should be different in its richness
dark olives, dark Indian reds or rich browns.
enriched with lighter or brighter color and
gliding. II the wall paper be olive in its pre-
valing color, brown or maroon shade will
look we'll. 1st the frieze DO Of gond width,
and with olive wall and brown or maroon dado;
a frieze in wood color, with light and dark
olives and browns; soft, rich. low toned reds,
etc, and gold, il there be gold in tho paper
But the best effects for the dining room are
those in color without gold.
The hall decoration is important, because it
is the frontispiece, tho Introduction as it were,
to the house. It should be inviting but rather
plain aud simple, no. being room, but the en-
trance to the rooms. The hall and stairway
should be covered with some simple figured
paper, geometrcal or tile design pre-
ferred. Flowers do not seem appropriate. to
tho severe dignity OF an entrance. The lower
part Of the wall should DO covered with dado
Of dark or eerviceable color. Tho walls may
be light or dark, but the hall should always be
much darker than the pArlor opening into it
The wall paper should be in two or three
shades Of the same color-dull rich red or
leather color preferred
The library is not . room for much display
Il should be very unpronouncel and subdued