Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-12-14
PAPER ON THE WALL.
PATIENTS DRIVEN NEARLY INSANE BY
 WEIRD AND INTRICATE DESIGNS.

WEIRD AND INTRICATE DESIGNS. They TrresissabIy Attract the Eyes From
 Floor tO Ceiling Headaches Result From
 the strsin-suggestions for Purchasing
 the Proper Wall Covering.
 It is we'll established fact that chil- dren are often haunted at night by the hideous objects they have traced in the patterns on the wall. Older persons are familiar with the fact that certain pat terms irresistlbly attract the eyes from floor to calling and from one corner Of the room to the other.
 Endless headaches are the result of such straining of the eyes. The writer once occupied a room, which had such a paper upon its walls. It was a small room and the consequence was sue cession of severe headaches that finally took the form of vertigo, and which were not relieved until a change of room was effected. The paper was very pretty, but the amount of activity displayed by the pattern, which seemed after brief scrutiny to be literally alive, was impossible to endure.
 Elderly people may be loath to admit 1t, thinking it a weakness, but they are frequently subjected to much discom- fort by walls that to the casual ob- server appear attractive. 1 know of one blue and silver paper that had to be covered by plain pepper-and-salt sur face before the mistress of the room could be induced to return to it.
 Papers are frequently one thing in the shops and quite another thing up- on the wall. In buying plain paper this discrepancy cannot occur.
 For bedrooms plain papers with roughly finished surface are the best. These should be light and cheerful in color, and can be relieved by a richer border aud contrasting woodwork if desired.
 In 8 hall richly figured paper may be used, but better results are invariably obtained by the use of plain paper of some dark tone. "A deep, old red is very effective. With this the wood- work should be painted black and high ly vanished. The floors can be cover ed with mating or with dark carpet.
 On planning room the first consid- eration should be the walls, the wood work and the covering of the floor. Any room Will have some architectural fea- lures that will assert themselves if 1t Is not swamped in unnecessary nick hacks. The ends to be sought are, as in dress. simplicity, rss, good color, and pleasing effect. The fewer materials usod the better. Tho trouble is that our wsals are usually so offensive that in- stineh5vely wa seek to conceal them beneath pictures, photographs, fans ma araSsriss which only serve to hold ths dust and weary the eyes. E A aesa wall needs vsry few pictures. A plaip wall will set oR the few en- cravings to which one may cling to es- caDs 2sn0tony. But if one has the ossiTegs As do without pictures alto sUkaeT ia bedrcom oao will save ones syas fren detecting that thia or that frame sa AanSins cut of plumb, and will kssp them for the parlor where tAey bssSng. II may require some hereisDs to simplify the bedroom in this way, sut the result will more than conPcnsate
 Thesa ls a space, c freshness, 5 sense of cleanliness obtained iA this way that cannot bs achieved by all the dscora- tion that could be crowded on the walls. Staple muslin curtains at the wtAdows, clean mating on the foor, plain wall with g pretty border, a white iron bed with brass trimmings and linen sheetsthese things togeth- CT make bedroom that must be ac- knowledged faultless by the most fas- tidious tasts.
 Yet these things could be purchased for half the price Of the useless decora- tions with which we constantly dis GguYe our homes