Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-16
From the Upholsterer.

SSCIF uenclency results in
AsMZ mi the wretchedly in
,Ssykk@ harmonious grouping
OF colors found in so
many houses - one
might almost say in the majority of them.
Again there are persons who. in their
home furnishing. buy one thing after an.
other. each pretty enough in itself. to be
placed In the same room without giving anv
thought to their general effect when 20
placed II these persons have any appre-
cation OF color or harmony their house
furnishing will be a sore disappointment to
them, and II there be anything in the the
their health will suffer-
Inc modern theory Of color Is that the
eye mas In II a certain cluster Of nerves all
OF Wnicn respond to the action of the waves
OF the light that impinge upon it; some of
these nerves respond more strongly to the
long waves. and We then see red; the waves
OF medium length enable us to see green:
some OF the snort ones awaken a sensation
OF violet, and so on. Every object reflects
more or less light to the eye at the same
ume absorbing some of its waves which
gives US the sense of color accordingly as
IN .1e waves may be long or short. II waves
OF all lengths be reflected to the eve the
sensation OF white will be produced; il only
OF certain lengths. certain colors will only
pc perceived The theory is that every one
IS endowed with the true color sense and
that If this sense is not stified by imnronar
eoucation we will involuntarily distinguish
between pleasant and unpleasant colors
Otten It Is not possible to choose ones
household decOratiOns-they are the accl-
mutations Of years. representing every color
ana combination Of coiors. and have been
forced upon the housewife by circtnl stances
, linen II Is that serious problem pr sserts
itself. How to affect harmony IN the dis
cordant elements without slauphteri1g the
household gods!
There's Much In Arrangement.
The solution of the problem necessi.ates
knowledge of the science Of color. which
very few persons possess or a cultivated
taste. which Is almost as rare Unless one
be the happy possessor of either knowI-
edge of color or taste 1t would be the better
plan to get advice of some more gifted friend
or to employ professional assistance. nv
this means the incongruity Of color may be
disposed OF, without sacrificing the house
hold idols. different arrangement of the
same things will often work a wondrous
Improvement. There is hardly q color that
may not be toned down and made TO har-
monize with some other--an accomplish
ment that may seem at first out Of the
question. -
The young housekeeper, with all her
things" to buy, will not be beset BY This
dihculty. and II she will exercise proper
care In her first selections, and choose sub
sequent furnishings with reference to
those she already has, 1t will be long years
before she shalt find herself in a serious
dilemma. II not quite sure Of herself and
unwilling to ask advice 1t will be best to
conf1ne herself to one color for each ROOM
OF which there may be as many shades
as possible, or as few. A combination
OF two or more colors requires greater
care. although one may safely venture
with two colors. provided they be not
both strong. or with any bright colors
with gold. 1t Is impossible to even hint
at the color schemes that may be ef-
fectually used in household FURNISHINGS
their name is legion.
To come back to the beginning: Since tho
color sense In civilized man is so entirely
the result Of education and association. is
1t not worth while to develop it in the right
direction to the end that ourselves, our
children and our friends may be refined ard
our dwelling places be Joy forever?
About Pictures.
Pictures must suit the size Of the room,
the purpose for which 1t is used ami tie
furnishing. Cheap pictures are not OF ne
cessity to be despised. In many instances
these reproductions Of art gems are worthy
to be placed, but to see a lot of coarse
chromos, framed in gilded composition,
hung upon paper of sprawling gold figures,
destroys all semblance of good taste.
In a country cottage that is appropriate
which would be inadmissible to city
drawing room. In the latter place such
decorations should be excellent works Of
art The wallis should not be crowded, two
or three handsome pictures are worth any
number Of mediocre examples. OF these,
one at least should be large or important
enough to show by itself upon an extended
wall space. while smaller ones may be
grouped. If the wall is treated decorative
1y; that is. II hung with tapestry or SNOWY
paper. then pictures should be relegated to
another apartment. t-..-
The background will serve to make them
everything or nothing: When one has pic,
lures too choice to be hung on a detrac:ing
wall. first drape a space with some rich
dark material making sure to have the
drapery extend sufficiently far to give the
relief needed The color and quality Of the
drapery must Of course. be determined by
the predominant color Of the room.
In a library or large hall. or a dining
room. etchings and engravings are very
suitable. 1t is an exploded fancy that deco
rates the latter merely with dead game
fruit and flowers. Hang in their stead en-
or modern etching, and the result
will be more worthy.
In framing pictures avoid gorgeonsness.
1t IS a mistake to draw attention from the
figure or landscape to that which incioses
1t. and above all things to be rejected are
those coarse. rough, stamped frames, gilt
or silvered. that are displayed in cheap bar
gain stores. Too much gold in picture
frames is disastrous. To squander that bril-
liant metal is decidedly inartistic. Nature
bestows 1t In small quantities. and we
should emulate her reserve. Metal frames
of fine workmanship can be used. but they
should neither be massive nor overwrought.
Prints especially should not be inserted in
gilded frames; they should have mats of
thick toned paper. surrounded by fiat frames
of oak or cherry.
As to Frames.
A small, fine picture, on mat of rich vel
vet, may show within a narrow gilt mold
ing. the whole being inclosed in a glazed
box of dark wood. Much protection from
dust is thus procured. and the softenng eff
fects of the glass is another reason for its
use. On light wall black framed pic
ture is a blot all the more so IL the picture
be light.
Neither should light frame surround a
dark picture on dark wall, rather should
a medium tone be used, in order to harmon
iZe with background and picture. Flat
frames are suitable for water colors Small
prin or water colors may be grouped side
by side. the same narrow frame inclosing
each and surrounding all. In this manner
many fine pictures of noted persons. that
are found in most of our first class maya
zines, may be preserved, as we'll as small,
fine landscapes By all means reserve the
of friends for the privacy of
ones own room. for however beautiful they
may seem to the possessor. they are as pic
lures seldom decorative. In an ordinary
dwelling the hanging of fine picture in a
good light Is difficult matter. A northern