The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-18
FURNISHING A ROOM,
How to Produce a Warm, Agreeable anC
Pleasant Eject.


Pleasant Eject.
In a well-furnished house-the furni-
ture of which may have cost twenty
five thousand dollars or five hundred
no one article stands out in violent con-
trast to its neighbors, either in color or
in quality. but each helps to produce a
harmonious whole. AS the writer has
said elsewhere, furnishing may be done
artistically without following rigidly
all the rules OF high art There is such
thing as carrying art to an extent
that produces a cold, disagreeable effect
A few fundamental rules, however, can
not be disregarded with impunity; and
these concern appropriateness, proper
ton, simplicity, harmony and stability.
There should be no overcrowding on
the one hand. nor baroness on the
other; and there should be a central
tone of color, to which all the tints
must be subordinate.
Carpets are the very foundation of n
good or i'll effect in furnishing; and
they are usually, too, the point of ex-
trayagance. Three or four dollars q
yard will be paid for a parlor carpet,
while snowy, machine-made furniture
takes the place of substantial articles
with lines of grace and beauty. The
coloring of this carpet is frequently an
offence to q cultivated eye, and utterl Y
inharmonious with the other furnish
ings. Obtrusive, dominating colors
should be avoided-likewise q white
ground, which always has a glaring
effect Scarlet is very unmanageable
color. and should never be seen in a
floor covering.
Small, ruggy figures are always de-
sirable, and quite necessity in small
rooms; and carpets OF this character.
made up with a rich border, and sup
plementcd with q margin of inlaid or
stained floor, will often be as effective
as an imported rug A good, five
frame, body Brussels can be bought
now at o very reasonable rate--as we'll
as the softer Moquctte; and made up as
a large rug, either carpet is both hand
some and stylish for almost any room.
There are also beautiful ingrains with
borders; and many an ingram at eighty
cents is preferable to many a Wilton at
treble the price--the carpet not being
intended for decoration, but for COM
fort, and to show to advantage the
articles placed on it.
Besides, one wants few etchings
and engravings, at least; and if there
is no special sum set apart for them,
they had better be taken out of the
carpet.
Wall papers are quite as great mar
plots rs carpets; and u paper which is
very pretty in the piece, may utterly
ruin n room. Subdued coloring is very
desirable here, and as few colors as
possible; paper at twenty-five cents
aroll will sometimes make room look
better than one at 50. so A dado should
never be used with % low ceiling; and
the coloring of the frieze should n OF be
in violent contrast to that below it, but
| rather gather up and concentrate what
is already there.
Both paper and carpet are in tended
to serve as backgrounds, and should
therefore be in subdued styles The
ingram. or cartridge papers are ad-
mirably calculated for this purpose,
and they are moderate enough in price
to be within the reach of most purses.
Whatever else the young householder
may do, let her avoid buying ''set''
of furniture covered with silk plush.
Sets of any kind are Objectionable; but
silk-plush that is sat upon and used
wears badly, and entirely loses its
original color. Mohair-plush is another
matter; but much furnishing of any
plain color becomes monotonous
Figured goods are preferable for ordi-
nary wear, and one does not tire of them
SO sily.-LGdjeS' Home Journal.