The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-16

ing the date OF their silver weddings anu
believe in chaperons. But, although the
tidy has gone, its initiating spirit or use
fulness, tolerated because OF supposed
artfsfi, qualities. survives And il is far
WORSE for the nervous visitor 10 knock
over bit OF bric-a-brac than IL was TO
replace a tidy;
prsr-a-brac is 10 the art world what
flowers are 10 the natural, and the laws
governing one. are safe 10 apply 70 the
other. That old rhyme.
God might have made the earth ering
forth
Enough for great and small.
The oak tree and the cedar tree
And rot a flower at all.
Is capabIs of figurative use. and can be
applied 20 all household ornamentauons.
for bric-a-hrac serves a distinct purpose
A New York Times representative has
interviewed an artist on this subject with
the following result. He says: the great
fault in American houses is over orna-
rnentation. Things beautiful in them
selves are go crowded that the eye Is be-
wildered and can find no central point on
which TO rest The decorations of room
should eliminate or center at some spot
and from that the lines should diverge ac-
eording 10 artistic rules. We see the force
of this in cathedrais, where the altar
forms the grand climax of Ornamental
ton and furnishing. OF course, there are
minor centers. as there is always sec
ondary plot in every good play, nut the
eve should instnctively he guided 20
the main point OF decoration. In an or
binary house this is the fireplace and man
tel in each room. and special care should
be taken that artistic rules are not broken
I'm the ornamentation of that most impor-
tant part of the room. An artist is famli-
lar with many correct forms OF group
ing. but these are not easy for the anna
teur to understand. so the best rule to
observe for mantel decoration for the
general public Is that the centerpiece
should form the highest point, the lines.
from the top. when drawn down TO the
shelf forming the sides or an isosceies
triangle.
IAN overloaded mantel." he continued.
lis sign of vulgarity, and the orha-
ments should be proportioned to the
weight not only actual, hut apparent OF
the woodwork and setting. \ heavy
bronze on a mantel which is narrow and
light in construction must give sense OF
uneasiness though there may be no real
danger of its falling1
"Rronzes should always be placed in a
strong light. In this they are the reverse
Of statuary, which should be in haif
shadow. A portrait bust should ne SO
placed that IL is has front. top and side
light. This may ordinarily be accom-
plished by putting it in a corner near a
window, the wall space back OF 1t being
darkened by drapery.'
what is a simple rule for hanging pic
tures?" was asked.
THAT varies according TO the height,
size and decoration of the room. but II Is
hest where only one row OF pictures Is
hung to have the central point in each on
a level with the eye OF The ordinary per-
SON For instance, in a Vignette portrait
the central point is the chin. you can
make no mistake about the point in any
picture for the eye involuntarily rests on
IT AZ the first glance. That reminds me
10 speak of frequent error on the part
Of trainers who lack artistic knowledge.
This central point should be at the exact
intersection Of two diagonal lines drawn
from the corner of the frame. not the
mat Many pictures appear 10 those who
know this rule. as if they were slipping
out Of their frames. That once popular
Beatrice once was a glazing instance or
the violation of this principle. Nine
times out OF ten il was framed wrongly.
Bric-a-brac has two important uses. 1t
enables us TO mass color and 10 break up
stiff. ugly outlines"
So much for the dictum of an artist.
continues the same paper. But in addi-
ton TO these first principles. clever women
have solved certain unwritten laws which
other women may be glad 10 know. For
instance one says: II have very little
bric-a-braC, not nearly so much as |
would like to own. and if | were 10 spread
IL out over the mantcl. cabinet and table,
everyone would be aware of my poverty.
So. YOU see ! have bought a small cabinet
and that is crowded with my treasures.
giving the impression to the casual oh
server that have more than have room
for. and that I need a new cabinet rather
than more hric-a-brac."
An overloaded cabinet is not open TO the
same objection an overloaded mantel.
so the limit is worth following.
Another woman who longs for the un-
attaiuable in art buys With special refer
ence TO the place where such pieces are
to be placed. She searches for color. form
and size rather than workmanship. for
she sees the possibility OF half hiding the
vase. so that the glaze Will not show.
Some inexpensive Japanese vases may
be made TO do good service in the
seml-darkness. and their odd shapes
are Just what IS required for
breaking outlines ~ hopelessly ire
deemable furniture. Those who have gone
mad over colonial designs. and have
sought 20 soften their angles by drapery.
should search through japanese ware
house FOR solid relief.
\ pardonable ruse is that Of a woman
piece 81 bric-a-hrac so high that Il cannot
readily "a examined and then distracts
attention from 81 by some little exquisite
III on the eve lire. II IS on the same
principle that countesses can wear sham
diamonds, for no one would suspect them
Rric-a-hrac should always he removed
when the room So swept. II this IS done
regularly. and the articles he busted daily
they viii not need washing or special
care more than three or four times a year,
even when not kept under glass.
For dirty bric-a-hrac there is no excuse.
y betokenS an order OF woman that would
appear with torn and sordid lace. Some
Young housckeepers refrain from clean
ing their china ornaments for fear OF ac-
C15ent; hat with the exception OF fine fla
gree. ordinary precautions are all that are
required. In fact. bric-a-brac is not so
easily broken as tableware.
For washing china ornaments 2 wooden
howl Is required. II should be half filed
with warm water. into which teaspoon
sul % AMMONIA has been poured, ana
thick sufs should be made with pure white
soap. The article 70 he washed should he
plunged under the water quickly. 50 that
every PART should be exposed 70 the same
heat at the same instant. Soft cloths
tcheeSeci0th busters are admirable ara
needed ana also brushes-a IRE nah
brush. and a cameIs hair brush for the
0ne oman sntEtion. Having soaked and
washed ana scrubbed the articles. they
should he ri0sei in clear water. slightly
cooler thsH that IN which they were placed
81 first Blood heat j. sufficient Dry the
pieces with danaSk or f5ne hand-rnsd
toNelli0g. which latter IS 20 Re bad ~ sQ
linen stores Il Is made expressly Tor eN-
pel<.Ye ch!la AM slsss, leaves 70 Int.