Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1896-04-17
Hou 400: EURNIsAlNes.
elegance without ostentatIoh should
Be the Rule

which are quite as carefully observed
rs those in dress. although there is a
very limited class who adhere strictly
to the idea Of changing furniture with
every passing caprice. 1t is well, per-
haps, that there are those who like these
changes, else the manufacturer of nov
elites might fare badly.
There is great diversity of taste in
furnishing. and an endless variety of
styles to choose from. The best judg-
laent approves of elegance without os-
tentation, of apartments handsomely
appointed, and yet not resembling the
storehouse Of an art collector. IL is the
most difficult thing in the world to
carry out fancy without giving it the
rein and letting it assume entire con
troll Those who ride hobby are in
danger of letting it prance over every
part OF the dwelling, and take up its
quarters wherever the fancy of the mo
ment may dictate. Fine furniture and
brie-a-brae arc excellent things in their
WAY, bat hey need to be gathered up
with great discretion and managed with
the utmost care afterward. 1t Is
question of whether one should turn the
parlor and drawing-roOm into a mu-
scum. with cabinets, cases and trinket-
holders everywhere. One ideal draw
ing-room has one single cabinet very
small and very handsome. 1t holds not
over half dozen pieces of bric-a-brac,
but these are worth almost the tradi-
tional kings ransom. The house is
stored with elegant art treasures from
all over the world, but there arc rooms
fitted up to receive them, and cases and
cabinets appropriate for their holding.
1t is a very hard matter for many per-
sons TO choose Just the things that are
most pleasing to them for parlor decora-
ton. The ordinary art enthusiast, the
fadist and the amateur collector often
huv things to be seen of men, and like
10 keep them around for the same prir-
pose. They miss the keenest pleasure
of the true artist in that they rarely
have system or reason for what they do.
They see a thing; it strikes their fancy,
Of some one for whose opinion they have
great respect has admired it; straight
way they must possess it.
There is a good deal to be said in favor
of the japanese fashion of furnishing.
The houses are never numbered with
enormous quantities of beautiful things,
but in a place built for it stands little
table or cabinet containing some rare
object. After time this is put away,
pnd another beautiful thing is brought
out. These people say that no matter
how choice an article is, or how much
they prize it, to have it about all the
time becomes monotonous. Therefore
they bring out new things, and these
are ever fresh and pleasing not only 20
their visitors but 10 themselves. MANY
Americans adOrn their houses for their
guests, paying no heed to the fact that
they themselves may weary of them.
Too much furniture and too many Orna
ments are unartistic, inconvenient and
give an air of STIFFNESS and overcrowd-
ing to the handsOmest apartment;
Sanitarians of all classes are waging
war on the carpet. They claim it is UNI
wholesome, announcement and unartistic
in every way. How soon these reform
.ers win succeed in driving the carpet
from the ordinary dwelling remains to
ibe seen, but there are many people who
think that that day will not come for
many a long year.
Carpets are specially adapted TO
houses of refinement and elegance,
where quiet and luxury are supposed
TO find their most congenial surround
iings. Rugs are favored by hygienists
because they may be taken out of rooms
and thoroughly cleaned. They certain
Nv have an advantage over carpets in
this respect. There are a few fine houses
where such thing as carpet nailed
to the floor does not exist. The floors
ARE polished or done in mOsaics of fancy
woods. Heavy rugs cover the middle
lat the margins. There are few things
more exasperating and inconvenient
than quantity of small light rugs scat
tered about. They are ever ready to trip
iunwary feet, and unless one has the
lstride of a grenadier and lifts the feet
high at each step, There is no certainty
Jas to where the individual will next find
himself.
In one of the dwellings referred TO the
furniture is covered with gold and
white tapestry; the walls and ceilings
ARE finished in the same colors; the
floors are inlaid mahogany, and the or
ipaments-two or three of them-are in
% mahogany and gold cabinet The
room is not overcrowded, and has an
air of breadth and richness impossible
Ito obtain where miscellaneous collec-
tions of elegant furnishings are jumbled
ttogether.-N. Y. Ledger.