Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-20
THE OLD GERMAN FAD.
What Il the Latest Fashion I'm COun,
try-HOuse Furniture.

In the matter of house-decoration there
is a tendency to revolt from the ornate.
somewhat over-ela borate styles OF the
French. and to cultivate the severe SIM
plicity OF the German renaissance. Chairs,
upright, prim, and rigid In outline, for
bidding any suggestion Of indolent ease,
are shown, though their narrow seats
and high backs are enriched with curious
carving. Walnscoating OF antique oak.
carved In grifiins centaurs. and other
fantastic designs, the staining deity con-
trived to initiate the substantial decora-
tons OF old feudal castles and baronlal
keeps, black with the wear OF centuries,
must skirt the apartment in which these
chairs hold conspicuous place. Quaint.
stiff-ooking tables OF odd design are in
keeping, and capacious, .wlde-shelved side
boards and curious cabinets, extending
almost to the ceiling. give character to
the room, the candelabra and smaller
ornaments OF which are likewise distinct
i've.
There is nothing fnIcal, frivolous. or
effemnate in such an apartment; every
article suggests days OF stirring deeds.
IL Is absolutely essential that a room fur
nished In the style Of the German
renaissance should have on the high man.
telshelf and on the oaken sideboard a
number of beer-mugs. 80 long associated
with that country. Three quarts OF
beer, and you will be in paradise" reads
the German legend on one grotesque-look-
ing mug-a mug with a close-htting top,
and straight up and down from lid TO bot.
tom. Another antique treasure has
music-box concealed underneath within
the china walls. When the mug Is tilted
to the drinkers lips some German melody
oats n arQ mi fha fNIr
like mug is replaced on Yhe table the mu.
sic ceases. True love will keep the heart
healthy" advises the reading on another
drinking-cup, whose blended co.oring 10
blue and carmine is delight to the eye.
A curious, unique article OF furnishing
lately imported is the German water.
basin and ever, commonly kept In the
outer passage or the living-room OF a
peasant household. The basin Is shall.
low and oblong, being affixed to a
wooden bracket, and the FURNISHED ever
is in the shape OF a dolphin, from whose
mouth trickles the water. A room fur.
nished In plain deal. after the German
style, is shown by an artistic decorator
on the avenue. The wooden furniture
in this room is left In its natural condi.
ton. unstained and unvarnished. and Il
meant to be scrubbed with soap and wa.
ter. and kept sweet and clean. The noos
is likewise uncovered. and is intended to
he sanded. scrubbed, and kept In scrupu-
lousy neat condition. and the walls
and ceiling are without decoration. II
Is for the dining-room OF a fashionable
country house that this expensive sim.
plcity is intended-for Il Is expensive In
the matter OF the 'eibow-grease" and
time that must keep II spotless. The
powers that be declare that such furnish.
ing will be the rage for next summer
and that the demand for the woodeE
platters, spoons. knives and forks. which
must accompany 1t. will exceed the sup
ply.
The wooden platters used in these Ger.
man rooms are ornamented on the out.
side with burned-in figures and emblems
as are the spoons and other accompani-
ments.