Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-21
THE OLD GERMAN FAD.
What Ii the Latest Fashion I'm COun.
try House Furniture.

What IL the Latest Fashion I'm Couu.
try House Furniture.
From the New York Tribune
In the matter Of house decoration there
Is 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 outline forbid
cling any suggestion of indolent ease, are
shown, though their narrow seats and high
backs are enriched with curious carving
Wainscoting of antique oak, carved in grif-
fins, centaurs and other fantastic designs,
the staining deftly contrived to initiate the
substantial decorations of old feudal
castles and baronal keeps, black with the
wear of centuries, must skirt the apart
ment In which these chairs hold conspic-
uous place Quaint, stiff-looking tables of
odd designs are in keeping and capacious
wide-shelved s:deboards and curious cabi-
nets, extending almost to the ceiling give
character to the room, the candelabra and
smaller ornaments of which are likewise
distinctive.
There is nothing fnical, frivolous or
effeminate in such an apartment; every
article suggests days of stirring deeds. It
Is absolutely essential that a room fur
nlshed In the style Of the German renais-
sance should have on the high mantel-
shelf and on the oaken s:deboard a num-
per OF beer mugs, so long associated with
tHdt country. IEree quarts or beer, ana
you will be in paradise" reads the Ger
man legend on one grotesque-looking mug
"a mug with a close-fitt:ng top, and
straight up and down from lid to bottom.
Another antique treasure has a music box
concealed underneath within the china
walls When the mug is tilted to the
drinkers lips some German melody greets
his ears. and the moment the jug-like mug
is replaced on the table the music ceases.
True love will keep the heart healthy"
advises the reading on another drinking
cup, whose blended coloring in 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 pas
sage or the living room Of peasant house
hold. The basin Is shallow and oblong,
being affixed TO wooden bracket. and tho
FURNISHED ever is in the shape of a dol
phin. from whose mouth trickles the water.
room furnished in plain deal, after the
German style, is shown by an artistic dec
orator on the avenue. The wooden furnf-
ture in this room is left in its natural con-
dtion, unstained and unvarnishsd. and 10
meant to be scrubbed with soap and water
and kept sweet and clean. The floor ID
likewise uncovered, and is intended to be
sanded, scrubbed and kept in scrupulously
neat condition, and the walls and ceilings
are without decoration. 1t is for the dining
room Of fashionable country house that
this expensive simplicity is intended-for It
is expensive in the matter of the elbow
grease and time that must keep 1t spot
less. The powers that be declare that such
furnishing will be the rage for next sum-
mer, and that the demand for the wooden
platters, spoons, knives and forks which
must accompany it will exceed the supply.
The wooden platters used in these Ger
man rooms are ornamented on the outside
with burned-in figures and emblemS, as are
the spoons and other accomplishments.