The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-10-31
THE OLD GERMAN FAD.
What is the Latest Fashion in Country
House Furniture.

In the matter of house decoration there
is a tendency to revolt from the ornate,
somewhat over-elaborate styles of the
French, and to cultivate the severe sim
plicity of the German renaissance.
Chairs, upright, prim and rigid in out
line, forbidding any suggestion of indo-
lent ease, are shown, though their mar
row seats and high backs are enriched
with curious carving. Wainscoting of
antique oak, carved in griffins, centaurs
and other fantastic designs, the stain
ing deity contrived to initiate the sub
stantial decorations of old feudal cas-
ties and baronial keeps, black with the
wear of centuries must skirt the apart
ment in which these chairs hold corepic-
uous place. Quaint, stiff looking tables
Of odd designs are in keeping, and capa-
cious, wide-shelved sideboards and GU
rious cabinets, extending almost to the
ceiling, give character to the. room, the
candelabra and smaller ornaments of
which are likewise distinctive.
There is nothing inical, frivolous or
effeminate in such an apartment; every
article suggests days of stirring deeds. 1t
is absolutely essential that o room fur
nished in the style of the German renais-
sance should have on the high mantel-
shelf and ON the oaken sideboard a num-
Der of beer mugs, SO long associated with
that country. ''Three quarts of beer and
| you will be in paradise" reads the Ger
man legend on one grotesque looking
mug-a mug with close fitting top, and
straight up and down from lid to bottom
Another antique treasure hasa music box
concealed underneath within the china
i walls. When the mug is tilted to the
| drinkers lips some German melody greets
| his ears, and the moment the jug-lik(
mug is replaced on the table the music
ceases. ''True love will keep the hear
healthy" advises the reading on another
drinking cup, whose blended coloring il
blue and carmine is delight to the eye
| A curious, unique article Of furnishing
| lately imported is the German watel
basin and ever, commonly kept in thu
outer passage of the living room of {
peasant household. The basin is shall
low and oblong, being affixed to q wood
the shape of a dolphin, from whose moutl
trickles the water. A room furnished il
plain deal, after the German style, il
shown by an artistic decorator on TIL
avenue. The wooden furniture in thi
room is left in its natural condition, I'm
stained and unvarnished, and is mean
to be scrubbed with soap and water ant
kept sweet and clean. The floor is like
wise uncovered, and is intended to b.
sanded, scrubbed and kept in scrupu
lously neat condition, and the walls ant
ceilings are without decoration. 1t j
for the dining room of a Fashionable
country house that this expensive sim
plicity is intended-for it is expensiv
in the matter of the "elbow grease" ant
time that must keep it spotless. TIL
powers that be declare that such fur
nishing will be the rage for next sum
platers spoons, knives and forks whicl
must accompany it 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-New York Tribune.