Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-24
ARTISTS AND ART WORK.
Hints for Household Decoratiou-Scraps
From the Studios.

Hints for household Decoratiou-Scraps
From the Studios.
There was time, and not so very long
ago either, when it was, considered as due
both to the laws of order and art that all
articles for household use or ornament
should be arranged in pairs, and an article
not having counterpart in close proximity
and occupying like position with regard to
surrounding objects was regarded as being as
fOrlorn as bird without mate. In those days
everybody who could afford 1t secured, if pos
sible. a dwelling with hallway in the center,
and they placed pair of ornamental
vases on the front porch, one on each
side of the door. The same principle was OBJ.
served and made to prevail throughout all the
interior decoration. 1t was held to be essential
to the proper Punishment of parlor or draw
ing-roOm that it should have center table and
a certain number of srraight-back chairs. On
the mantelpiece was usually placed an orna-
mental clock, and to cheer the loneliness there
appeared on either side the inevitable vases,
In fact, this method of home adornment formed
a rule which was rarely ever deviated from;
any object, the nature Of which necessitated
its presence singly, was sure to be ianked by
Others capable of being introduced in pairs.
One of the most common and at the same
time most Objectionable examples of this pc
culiar taste was shown in the custom which
prevailed of decorating the parlor walls with
indItferently executed portraits of members of
the family. The principal wall of room was
anTthng b1t attractiye obiects and ts mosy
important in respect of size was placed exactly
in the center, while above. below and on
either side & were osu ranged the smaller
Tor be it remarked that in this de-
scription of art the frame is of much greater
importance than the picture. FoImality in
decoration was then the order of the day, moth
ing was left TO accident and any appearance of
chance arrangement was considered something
it was desirable to avoid. Now all this is
changed, and in place Of seeking TO attain this
stroy 1t. There are few specimens of recent
architecture where opportunity has been af-
forded for the display of taste and judgment
that do not bear evidence of leaning toward
freedom and variety of design.
Among the largest and most elegant and
costly mansions of the wealthier classes the
desire to vary the architectural character of
their dwellings. by using different features of
construction on either side of the entrance, is
very marked, while in the smaller and less I'M
posing edIfces there is ample proof of an effort
to secure variety, even at the sacrifice of every
desirable feature, and the result is often de-
plorable rather than commendable, being
neither beautiful nor striking, but only pecu-
liar. These however, are but instances in
which an object in itself sensible and reason
able has been followed blindly and irrationally,
and without even the most remote conception
of the end TO be attained There are many
dwellings of moderate cost which are
models OF architectural design, and these
might easily be more il those who erect them
would use little intelligence and first consider
or no the various features which they
proposed introducing would accord with each
other and form harmonious whole. In the
interior Punishment of dwellings far better
taste is displayed, and this is mainly due to the
fact here is afforded an opportunity for changes
and alterations; that which is done to-day may
If not satisfactory, be done over again next
week or next month, at any rate in the not
very distant future, and SO the knowledge
to success is gained by experience
maiity and primnesS: the unreasonable insist.
ence upon having everything both sides alike. |
So far as the arrangement of movable objects
is concerned the method of placing as many |
things as possible in pairs and in a fixed posi- |
ton in relation to a given point savors too
mu Ii of the Mechanical to be artistic. and too
much of formality and rule to ever afford the |
greatest degree of pleasure to the eye and the |
mind.