The National tribune., 1883-05-03
W0MAN'S WORK,
Aunt Helen'S Home TalkS---COlOr in
DresS---0ur Letter Box, &c.


resume of this entertaining and instructive
little book. In the usual middle-claSs draw
ing-room,' says the author, probably already
papered, or prepared for papering, with
glaring white ceiling, a heavy cornice and
skirting- board of a height neither one thing
nor another, perhaps the readlest, and at the
same time the most inexpensive plan to pro-
duce pleasant and restful background, is to
choose a paper (of course with relation TO pic,
lures and ornaments of a calm and suggestive
decorative floral pattern showing knowledge
of design. With the chosen paper in view, Sc
lect for the paint of the room one or perhaps
two shades Of the prevailing tint of the paper,
and instead of cold whitewash use creamy
greenish white for the ceiling thus bringing
ceiling, walls and woodwork into. harmonious
combinations This hint of a soft background
recalls the days when gilded stripes, with
stars, spots of ur-de-lys on a white watered
ground were the only things for drawing
room, whatever its nature, wherever its posi-
ton, and within the memory of Us all are the
days when realistic and gorgeous punches OF
Haunting flowers, coored after nature, on
staring light grounds were the delight of the
designer and of the purchaser OF Wallpapers.
Paper hangings simple or elaborate rich yet
grave, calm yet cheerful, mostly moderate in
price, and all bearing marks of a desire to
follow nature in the matter of decorative art,
are now attainable' Our little book contains
some pretty drawings of wallpapers, illustra-
ting suggestive floral decoration. The first is
the rose pattern, suggesting the growth and
sweetness of the rose. The flowers and leaves
in this paper are of two different shades of
yelow-g green; the underground of dusky yew
and the back ground are in two shades of blue
green, the rose-stems of dull yellow; there is
entire harmony of color about the whole, and no
strong contrast to fatigue the eye. With this
paper all wood work would look well painted in
shades of either blue or yellow-g green; but
even with other delicate, soft colors, one could
scarcely injure the calm and quiet effect Of
such a paper There is jessamine pattern,
! in which the strict following of nature is
shown in the clinging and graceful branches
and separateness of the star-like flowers, op-
posed most exquisitely to the sturdier stems
| and clustering blossoms of the hawthorn inter
mingling with them. The contrast of form is
| sufficient and shades of green, white and dim
| yellows give precious harmony to the whole.
VINE PATTERN.
| A vine pattern gives the rich, luscious growth
CT leaves and fruit wisely combined with the
! simple slender boughs of the willow, whose
! delicately-toned leaves contrast with the amber
| punches and dark green leaves of the gadding
vine This paper must always look noble,
and suits wide space, but with golden
| background it is magnificent The entire
covering of the walls with choice, but not
necessarily expensive, papers of any one kind
| can be strongly recommended. 1t is purer
style than the placing of two papers one above
! the other, which might, however, be favorable
| to certain drawing rooms, where from skirting-
| board upwards to within about three feet OF
| the ceiling the walls should be covered by a
daintily- tinted paper, continued to the cornice
by one of more delicate treatment; q narrow
| ledge or beading being fixed at the junction of
| the two papers. Papers suitable for such q
combination are to be found in diaper that
| looks calm and warm in two shades of olive
| green for the lower space of wall, and loose
trailing pattern for the upper portion in shades
| of blue on white with freer floral treatment
which would give cheerfulness to an arrange
ment otherwise quaint and quiet. The like OF
this has been seen with sets of pictures, in long
narrow frames, hung just below the junction
of the two papers; and at lower level, bright
water color sketches, bold and effective, in slim
gilt frames, giving the necessary relief to the
duller region. A wooden dado, with surbase
or chair-rail, is always comfortable and con-
venient, affording resting place for many a
tile picture, or curiosity, not SO valuable as to
be entombed in cabinet. Above this wooden
dado may be paper, paint or distemper. Paint
when used on walls, should be of soft tints
| light tones and should aeUer be varRished. Where
| pictures and ornaments are varied, and conse
quently many bits of bright color are about
paint may make warm and comfortable back
ground. The colors chosen should never bt
vivid; quiet olives and blue-greens make ar
excellent dressing for walls. In distemper
soft colors are easy to get; but, though cheape,
than paint, it is not so durable; it presents
however, charming surface for painting il
= body-color; and decorative floral or other de
signs, if used upon it, look uncommon and ar
tistic. A painted frieze two feet deep, above
, dado, in two shades of green, with dull-ret
i flowers On lighter green distemper looks rich
A PLEASANT CONDENSATION.
Z A diaper flock paper, with the pattern in stron
| relief covering the wall to the height of tn
dado headed by surbase of nodded wood, tn
whole painted and fatted in tender tones G
: green, with the upper part of the wall decorate
with creamy delicate dull-blue paper, per
: haps finished by hand painted frieZe and sim
' pie cornice would make pleasant combna
l tion In the matter of cornices, a simple bu
l. good molding of plaster or wood would be sui
ficient to break the hard line between wall an
ceiling. A very large and lofty room may re
quire more important cornice, but usually
cornice may be quite simple. Cornices TO
S small rooms are often out of all proportion
Here it would be found an improvement to Il
!. the greater part of the cornice be upon the aUdl
!, only intruding slightly upon the ceiing-are;
O which would look the larger for n0n-interruI
ton. A simple border of ivy, oak, or othe
:. shapeful leaves, stiffiy suggested in plastic
d would suit many rooms better than the usual
y too asSertlye mass OF badly proportloned Inca
S holdings. If there be no dado in the drawing
It room, and the expense of wood paneling b
II undesirable, a substitute may be found by pa
pering the wall from skirting- board upward I
the height of the chair-rail say about four fee
where a ledge or moding of stained or painte
! wood, or ebony, should be placed. The pape
% used for the dado space should be simple diape
|. The skirting- board ledge and general wooc
work Of the room should all agree in ton
n Walls are also beautifully embellished by DIR;
II peries of velvet silk, wool and silk, wool, an
n woven OF printed cotton. If the wall-hanginl
r are of silk, they may be tightly stretched witt
4, out pleats or folds; if of wool and silk, wool
|; cotton, they must have groups of pleats wit
e intervals of about twelve inches between
it Hooks should be fixed at the junction Of tf
wall and ceiling, and rings upon the hanging
which may be edged with more or less elab,
= rate fringe, and hang loosely down to the Skin
!, ing board or surbase. There are drawing
" rooms which have been enlarged by the r,
= moval of the partition walls of adjoining room
. and the several walls treated with draperies
40 different but harmonious colors with good c
- feet In a room where there are sillSen hans
"a ings, there should be no other decorations @
= the walls. The chimney piece should be orn
" mental, and might have superstructure reacl
" ing to the ceiling, with shelves and bracke
for china and possibly small mirrors introduce
ar here and there forming a spot of brightness
y the midst OF the surrounding quiet. The Gel
nj ing of such room should be creamy whit
Pure woods, cotton damask, with woven pa
re tern, printed cottons and Bolton sheetin