St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-21

self and the rest of humanity if he
would learn trade or get business
training, instead of narrowing up the
sensibilities of friends by painting and
displaying limitations of the old mas
tiers. But that embryo artist isn't half
so useless as people think. A place has
been found for him i'll the economy OF
crea ion. The house furnisher and
decorator has appropriated him, and is
rapidly utilizing him as a useful mem
Der of society. 1t happened in this
wise. Not all people have artistic
tastes. Even the possession OF unllm-
tied means will not make up for that
lack of taste.
The woman who had acquired wealth
and wished the fact to be apparent
used to furnish her parlors with hang
ings and upholstery which seemed to
have caught from the rainbow all their
rich and varied hues. The wall paper
and carpets would be equally dazzling
and painful. Expense was an item not
to be counted. But, what was the an
guish of this woman's soul when she
visited the home of some woman who
never expended over $500 in furnishing
the whole house? To be sure, the fur
nishingS were not costly, and the coiors
We're quite Subdued, but the whole
effect was so harmonious that people
fell in love with it, and forgot all about
the more expensive house right away.
The furniture houses for long time
were accustomed to decorate and fur
niSh a house as they were ordered, with
out any regard to the eternal fitness OF
things; but one season a sharp business
man hired an embryo artist to work for
him, thinking that he would fill long
felt want, and he did. The artist didn't
cost much more per week than paper
hanger or carpenter, but he eXerted a
decided influence over house furnish
ing. When lady comes to order decor
atoms the merchant very deferentially
suggests: "How would it suit you to
have our special artist look over your
house and confer with you as to the
most harmonious colors and styles OF
furnishings"
In nine cases out of ten the sugges-
ton is accepted, the house. when
finished, looks like civilized place of
abode. The dealer makes a financial
success of his bargain, and the young
artist fancies himself parsonage OF
great Importance to society.
It is amusing to see madam showing
her friends about her new house. Ii
its style be admired, she remarks:
"Oh, yes; l spared no trouble or ex-
pense in order to have my house
thoroughly artistic. Why, [ imported
an artist, and he gave me special de-
signs" So she did-impOrted him from
the furniture store about ten blocks
away.
But even ladies who have consider
able taste now prefer to leave to the
decorative artist a large part of their
house furnishing. Its much easier to
do that" one explains; 'tlfe decorative
artist makes business of this matter,
it's perfectly charming to look over a
number of plans and just add little
touches here and thOre to make it in
dividual, you know"
Yes, we all know that criticism and
a few changes are much easier accom-
plished than originality. A dealer says
that there is marked improvement in
house decoration within the past few
years. The masses of people are ac-
curing more refined and artistic per-
ceptions. The ugly and commonplace
STYLES find less favor than formerly, and
many real artists are now employed at
good salaries. Their service is no
longer matter of experiment. Nearly
every furniture house of any size now
employs artists to decorate show rooms
and furnish new and pleasing designs
for customers.