Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-09-13
INTERIOR FINISH OF MODERN HOUSES

Ruskin has denominated all limitations
of wood grains and marble as shams"
This is carrying the criticism of " covering
up" beyond the limit of reason, we sub
nit. OF course, all imitation is a sham in
one sense, but when it is purposefIl and in
tended to represent skill in art, and not
merely to deceive, it is 10 sham. We adj
init that in our homes, in public buildings
and in offices, the new popular scheme of
presenting the simple grain of the woods is
commcndable. Mr.. Facey, in 4 late num-
Der of the Painter, says: The substitution
OF stained, vanished or polished woods for
painted woods, has much 10 recommend
it. Probably in every variety of wood
known to man, or suited to the purposes of
the builder some charm or beauty of grain
and figure may easily be found To cover
this with paint is to hide the perfection of
its nature, and when to this is added the
representation of another wood altogether
the eye and sense of propriety are alike
offended Even this goes too far. For
the Use of woods in the interior constIuc-
ton OF our houses that have beauty of
grain and figure involves careful selection
and much increased first cost. and these
limit the possibilities i'll homes too greatly
II does not follow that finished surface in
paint, or grain imitation, is an ofiense to
the eye because the perfection Of nature :"
is hidden. The art of man has place by
the side Of this perfection, and is not worthy
TO be dcnominated as " sham" because it
is imitation There are natural woods that
those Of limited means must use in the
house, that will not finish in natural grain
so as to add TO the beauty of an apartment
in any great degree. To insist upon arb-
trary substitution Of the one for the other
style of finish, is to eliminate all the art
that contributes 50 much to our pleasure
in ornamental molding and panel, and to
prohibit US Of the highest forms of art
work
The disposition to ran to extremes
is characteristic of the age in
architecture, and decoration "crazes '
seize upon society and sweep it
alonSin cxTaYagance of indulgence. At
one period the pre,Iominatine taste in this
county was for all interiors to be heavily
painted and CLOSED to the highest posi-
bility Of finish yarnishes 1t was not be-
cause Stained and polished wood POSSIBLE
tiles were no. hen known, for when
American. y,o-, .,,,-o-,,s, o,-or,. ,ort;ol, oc
woodwork with paint, natural grain expos
IRE under oil or transparent varnish was
COMMON i'll Europe. For centuries rich.
dark, choice woods had added to the i'm
pressiye character Of European interiors.
Indeed save in France the European con-
vcntionaity has been grain exposure from
the very dawn Of architecture, and odorous,
rich-grained and precious woods have been
symbols Of beauty and types Of the highest
excellence. Now, when the disclosure is
made to us of the West. of the charm. Gle
gance and native sublimity of woods una
do-nei We are disposed to run to the other
extrelae and lay bare all interior finish
True Aste Will occupy the conservative mean
and while commencing the naked wood,
finished by the polish Of labor long APP
piled. Or toned down by driving oils to an
approach to the richness. that comes only
with age, approve at the same time the
work IF art that on a simple base build5up
exquisite designs, or gives to a natural sur
face a purely artificial and wholly foreign
and yet pleasing tint or finish.
/; remains, however, to be said that the
Introduction Of bare wood in interior fin
ish is in advance of any possibility of art
when the wood IS Of choice grain, and even
some Of the commonest soft woods of Cali
ioruia develop some Of The rarcst beauties
in this direction 1t is also to be borne in
mind that while the artificial finish is but
temporary, and nrIst fade and decay early
in the vast majority Of cases the natural
grows dark. and with age is enhanced
in beauty. So, too, long economy is con-
served by the natural finish The first cost
Of the interior finished in bare California
woods, Will exceed paint and yarnish
surface. But rs the years roll by. there is
no renewal demanded, and The economic
quality develops. 1t is also to be consid-
cred, that under ordinary circumstances
the bare finish is labnT-saving 20 the house
wife. since he cleaning process is so much
narrowed. And this is by no means an in
significant or vulgar consideration