The Progress., 1894-03-10
Things to Avoid in Furnishing.


james WhitcOmb Riley
Things to Avoid in Furnishing.
Once the parlor, now, in modern
parlance, the drawing-room, is really
of less Importance regarded from the
standpoint of home comfort than any
other portion Of the dwelling. Devoted
as it is almost entirely to occasions
Of ceremony and exchange of social
civilities, while convenient and a
source of enjoyment, it is not essential
to the welfare of the household. 1t is,
however, the especial pride of the mis-.
tress and too often adorned at the ex-
pense of other apartments in daily
use. Women otherwise judicious in
expenditure, are ''led into temptation
in this particular direction.
Gradual decoration and finishing
give more satisfactory results than
the course too often followed-th of
furnishing throughout at one time;
a quick selection, without deciding
where each article will best answer a
putPose until all come together, with
a discord and warning of colors and
shapes not to be reconciled, the gen
eral effect fearful to behold, the more
to be regretted, because without rem
edy, and the added assertions that
they "must last a lifetime"
Money is power" but that alone
will not secure harmonious results.
Rooms, where thousands of dollars
have been spent in decorations and
furnishings, are eclipsed by the ex-
4uisite taste that, from small outlay,
creates such beauty and repose that
only general effect is remembered by
chance visitors and not the detail
This is high art" whether in palace
Or cottage, and much to be epvied is
5he woman who possesses it, whether
by natural gift or cultivation.
Ability to command elegance many
times develops desire for pretentious
display, always vulgar. A very unwise
shing-to buy "a parlor suit" it's in
evitable 'seven pieces" henceforth in
the foreground of conspicuousness.
Carpet, wall hanging, and heavy
pieces of furniture, quiet and unob-
trusive, as they must from their ex-
pense) serve a purpose for years.
Articles presented by passing fancy,
1t cost not so great as to prohibit
Punishment when tired of them, will
give effect of variety and brightness.
A little gilt or fancy chair covered in
gay brocade, tabouret-any of the
many trides that give a touch of
grace are available. Fancy work in
lrawing-rooms has had it's day,
Ind the snare of throws"
sachets, bags, ETC., is happily on
The decline. Cherished gifts (?) of
friends, "the work of their own
hands," can find resting place in
apartments where personal possessions
are in good taste, and no longer dis
iguring the room of ceremony-non-
prejudiced eyes fail to discover senti-
nent that sacrifices nerve force in
beholding. 1t is not desirable to have
visitors depart saying, almost before
The door of hospitality closes behind
them: "Such a room! like a section
Of a charity fair!"
Cushions and bags on every chair,
And never place to sit;
Tides and cushions everywhere
Till nearly had fit!
With such drawing-room the bed
rooms are very often bare to a degree
Or supplied with packing box" furni-
ture. Now, the packing box is a
snare and delusion. Is there more
than half dozen articles of furniture
that packing box will not make-on
paper.
And two packing boxes! It's like
The old riddle: "What makes more
noise than a pig under gate?" Why,
with two packing boxes, a saw, ham
mer, some tacks, wadding, cretonne,
paint, and patience, putty for the
cracks, aud court plaster for the
fingers, the world is yours There is
no limit to the possibilities until some
one suggests third. Three packing
boxes! Four packing boxes! Imagina-
ton can go no further. With four
clean packing boxes, S., and a garnet,
q friend speak of could furnish fiat
But all this is on paper. In real
life avoid the packing box as you
would the plague. Fortunately the
hall is now coming in for its share of
attention. In time decorative taste
may find its way upstairs to the bed
rooms. The hall nowadays when it is
roomy enough and sometimes when it
isn't is quite completely furnished.
Usually there is at least one table in
it, an umbre la stand of some sort, O
hat rack, two or three cha;rs, pictures,