Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-28
Home Decoration.

1t has been the fAshi0n Tor some time 10
overload the parior and many other rooms
with decorations. Often very little atten-
ton 10 paid to the effect Of the decorations
Of the room - . whole, but each corner
and Granny 10 filled with some object. drap
cry or picture which the owner has fAncied
by itself. la many modern parlors the
"obiects Of art" scattered about crowd
each other, so that locomotion is difficult,
and the room has then become nothing
more than stoRe-room for the art treas
ures Of the owner and has been entirely di-
verted from its legitimate use IS . tasteful,
pleasant reception-room for guests. A
guest who 10 momentarily 10 danger il she
walks about Of stumbling over some g.
gantic vase-as she must be in such .
room cannot be comfortable. There are
certain vases, bronzes, pictures and other
art treasures which are not 81 home in the
modest dimensions Of . modern parlor.
Ts be seen to advantage they require
large picture gallery, such As many mil
lionaire house holders possess in connection
with their homes.
No article Of even the greatest artistic
merit can be appreciated if it is not in suit
able surroundings. The artistic decora-
tons Of the psrlor or any room should be
considered A. . whole. When any picture
or bit Of brio a. brac 10 added its surround
ings should be studied. II 1t does not tit in
the color harmony it should be put in some
other room. where, perhaps, it may give q
needed touch Of color. or become fine
decorative detail. 1t should not be forgot
ten there 10 great rest fer the eye in plain
spaces No wall should be crowded with
pictures, unless it 10 picture gallery. A
piece Of fne Sevres porcelain may be beau
tiful by itself, yet be made hideOus BY juI-
opposition with other c0lors. Here 10 an ex-
ample such . case An exquisite violet
and gold Sevres vase, the work of Thomas
Deck, one of the most wonde rful colorists in
porcelains known, WAS recently exhibited in
New York. The vase will remain long
time in the hands Of the importers said an
artist In commenting on it. while it is a
perfect piece Of color, it would be dreadful
in the surrounding, Of any parlor | know
of" A piece Of moorish woodwork in rich
though crude colors or an old StaRordshire
blue plate SCENE always to at itself iuto it's
surroundings. provided they are not too Hne
for every day use.
Study . room carefully. observe its strong
and weak points of location. II it is =
rstions be simple. Such room is lovely
hung only with pictures in black aud white.
leaving color to be introduced by
bright bits Of porcelain or pottery.
A north room. on the other hand, requires
warmer colors and the use Of more gold in
the decoration. A few bright pictures in
color do much in such a room to atone for
the absence Of the sunshine. As q rule,
it will be found that fine engravipgs. photo
graphs and other pictures in black and
white look better in room by themselves.
The floor of any room should be free from
bric-s- brsc. Vases and other objects too
large for the mantle cabinet or brackets
are too large for decorative purposes. I'm
brells vases and any others that serve a
useful purpose standing on the Aoor. are
Of course. an exception to this rule.-Ner
York Tribune.