The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
EMILY HOBBS CONANI
HOUSEHOLD ART.


HOUSEHOLD ART.
For Our woman's Paper.
Notwithstanding we have entered
upon the era OF the new woman and the
bicycle. the decoration of the home Is
still q leading topic on every woman's
page. and though volumes have been
ways one word more to be said and @
woman to read It.
The home bears much the Same rela-
ton to the family life that the body
does to the soul and its care and adOrn-
ment are as legitimate and desirable.
and the laws which underlis the sx-
preston of beauty In the one case are
quite as definite. though less under
stood. than in the other.
The development Of taste In Ameri-
can households has been very rapid and
few Of us there are who cannot recall
the reign Of cold, white walls and repel-
liant horsehair sofas. In the course Of
our progress We have made many mis-
takes Of which the gilded dustpan and
beribboned milking-stool are the tokens
We were making q noble effort to see
beauty in the commonplace. but had
not yet learned the law Of Appropriate
ness, the first and most important un-
derlying the philosophy Of beauty In
relation to house interiors.
ESSENTIALS TO CONSIDER.
The surroundings, requirements OF
circumstances, and the use to which
each room as well as the whole house Is
to be put must all have careful thought
and be fully determined before we be-
gin to decorate or furnish. Then to
feel something Of the meaning and
know something Of the effect Of color
Is the next essential to accomplish that
harmony In our environment which
makes the home the haven Of rest, the
center Of life.
Since the hall Is the introduction to
the house, 1t were well that the transit
ton from out to indoors be not too
abrupt. and here we may most effec-
lively use green, natures own color,
and since yellow has a peculiarly well
coming quality all it's own, what Is more
fitting or pleasing than the rich. strong
tones Of oak against walls Of cool
green. with a touch Of blue Of the sky
In delicate watercolor. and red for cheer
in rug and portiere?
Furniture for hall. dining room and
library may properly be OF heavier and
simpler styles than elsewhere a. expires
sive Of the dignity Of family life, rather
than the taste and fancy Of individ-
uals.
Yellow may be carried with equal ef-
feet into the parlors or reception room,
whore. in considering the moreover
ing. we must remember that II is not
agreeable to have the attention con-
tinually drawn to ones footing which
should be firm and lie fiat. neither ris-
ing up In bold figures to greet US. nor
~ ~ linn t., ,,1A An
The walls stand for the atmosphere
of room as well as 1t limits, and as a
background for persons, pictures and
ornaments. To these we apply the i'm
portant principles Of graduation, the
floor as the base naturally having the
strongest and finest tones Of color, the
walls the next and the ceiling, the last.
In adopting a scheme Of color for a
room, 1t is especially important to con-
slider its lighting. Dividing colors as
the artists do. into warm and cold, we
shall be careful not to expose blues, vio-
let's and greens I'm a northern, nor reds,
oranges or yellows in q western or
southern light. So, too, we shall con-
slider the amount Of light as we'll as the
kind, not putting reds, which absorb
much. into rooms which have but little.
1t Is because red il absorbent, and
therefore cool and restful that in q
well-lighted room 1t affords the best
back ground for pictures and bric-a-
brac.
If you cannot trust your color sense
(and who can. since even the born
colorists cannot define nor analyze q
color harmony having determined upon
q color scheme. find something which
represents 1t. a piece Of nowered Gre
tonne. or bunch Of skeins Of the lovely
toned filoselle. and let it never depart
from you. Then choosing any part of
your decoration or furnishing. II you
do it were almost impossible In the vast
range OF tones. that some Will not get
out OF key.
A COLOR SUGGESTION.
I believe q beautiful room may be
developed out OF the color harmony of
any given flower. Take Q growing
blooming Easter lily and picture q small
reception room or bedroom In It's oolors
the floor covered with the soft, dark
green Of the leaves In shadow. the walls
OF the clear, grey green Of the lights
on the leaves with lines Of silver, the
ceiling a warm Dearly grey and frieze
strengthened and enriched with the yell
low of the stamens. With curtains of
yellow, having design in wine red and
amber to enliyen and invigorate the
harmony, we have delightful back
ground for whatever may be chosen In
furniture and bric-a-brac which In pure
and simple in design.
Remembering always that several
shades Of each color are needed for var
iety and touch of its complementary
for contrast and brilliancy, as our room
has prevailing tone of green, we
choose rugs and door hangings with a
suggestion of red-only a suggestion on
we shall not preserve balance. Where
stronger and more striking effects OF
color are desired let the outlines in all
designs used be soft and the results will
be more harmonious and pleasing,
For a dining room,, gather a bunch
| of tawny yellow and red chrysanthe-
NUNS and see how charming are the
color schemes which may be developed
not forgetting that the inherent color
of wood. oak and mahogany especially
can be made to play an important part
In the color symphony.
Having made the parlor light and
airy, the dining room rich. have the
library solid and stately. the bedrooms
cheerful and restful and when choosing
textures and arranging draperies, beaI
In mind that moth and dust corrupt and
that sweetness and cleanliness, than
which there Is no more refined ideal, are
| more natural to simplicity than elabor.
| ateness.
LITTLE THINGS OF LIFE.
When consideration falls to the lot
| Of the small ware, the countless little
things which SO much express the tastes
habits and culture of the family and
give individuality to each room and
character to the whole house, II We
would but Danish each bit which we dc
not know to be useful or believe to be
beautiful, we would do a great worl
In the interest Of the simplicity and har.
| mony.
| Only a few Of the lovely things dis.
| played in the stores are meant for us
Only those for which we have long felt
the need, have we the right, artistical.