New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
MAKING HOMES BEAUTIFUL.
MARY TILLINGHAsT HAS FOUND THIS A
MONEY EARNING OCCUPATION.
HOUSEHOLD ARCHITECTURE AND DECORATION
WORTHY OF a woMAN's LONG AND
PATIENT STUDY NO SUCCESS
WITHOUT SUCH STUDY


WITHOUT SUCH STUDY
The present outlook for women In household
architecture and decoration is. I think. extremely
good Americans are awakening 10 intelligent recoe-
milton OF It's necessity and possibility Women
Know as well as, II not better than. men what q
home requires 10 enhance its comfort and its
beauty
Inc woman who aspires TO be professional IN.
terror architect and decorator should have liberal
education and wide knowledge OF the world The
latter Is absolutely essential. since the decorator
must be able to ascertain the taste purse and an.
cal surroundings OF her clients in order to properly
express their individuality and this Is impossible
unless sHe has had her eyes opened by travel and
contact with the worlds best art
An erroneous impression prevails among both a.,
lists and laymen. that household decoration ia CON-
nhed 70 the hanging OF draperies the upholstertne
Vi dVan ana the ARRANGEMENT OF silk pillows etc
ohhapphy, this superficial understanding Of the
art reads not few women into the field where
owing to the fact that they are women they an.
peal 70 the sympathy OF those who wish to helm
them and who. their knowledge OF real artistic
WORK being equally limited. accept what is offered
uhquestoninely. and pay well FOR the same
Inorough and practical training In architecture
Is ,he foundation OF artistic household decoration
without II no woman man-there is no sex In
african nope to become intelligent artistic deco
rator Architecture is the first step preparatory IA
the study OF interior decoration. II woman can.
not begin by apprenticeship in an architects of
nee. let her enter school strong in that branc,
OF art. Reading and observation must supplement-
| this technical training
The literature Of art is not taugb, 8, ,,,. ~
try. There are a few artists who have s,ud,ed
abroad. had their attention reused and nnallv
taken up a systematic course OF reading 7 hava
oiteh "ished that some one would awaken our art
schools and teachers 70 this lamentable defec, IN
the students curriculum. our museums and IL
stocked he hest
nowhere IN this country can student study TO bet
ter advantage or at less expense than in New-York
feenng Tor color is OF paramount importance II
| Is oorn' ana cannot be attained, in a limited
degree The decorator must know not only the artls-
tc but the commercial value OF every kind Of mate
rial involved In an interior decoration Details OF tho
| cost OF wallpaper. materials for wall hangings and
draperies and the amount; possibilities OF change
| IN designs. colors style must be at her COM
manl' Or course textile fabrics in design color and
texture vary every year. stl there are certain do.
nned principles that underlie the whole
The household decorator must be a matheuati.
| clan. Close calculation. as well as knowledge NJ
weights and measures. enter largely into the work
Executive ability and common-sense are also essen.
ual supplements TO artistic and technical
training
was once asked by young woman OF no little
taste and talent II did not think that she could DO
as good work as and make lots OF money.
HARD STUDY MAKES SUCCESS
"rf you are willing to enter an architects Office
and work eight hours day for a couple of years
think you might succeed" replied cry OF
protest met the proposition
Il never could do such a stupid thing and waste
so much time. Work eight hours day, Impossi.
bler'
The decorator must not only work eight hours q
day, but every moment. In thought deed. II she
has her art at heart find that the stumbling
block to women is their unwillngness go TO the
bottom Of things. They shrink from paying the
price of hard study. They look only 70 the high
lights. the finished picture The mastering of tha
decora tors art is in way an ant-climax.
Success requires knowledge of the various trades
that go 10 the erection of house IT is absolutely
necessary TO keep up to date in plumbing. lighting.
electricity and heating. Heating and lighting
most important subjects The decorator
should know everything pertaining TO the construc-
ton of a dwelling house from cellar laundry and
kitchen to bathroom and attic. The varieties Of
woods used for floors. their durability and price.
likewise the varieties and prizes Of marbles.
whether marble. tile or stone is more adaptable
cheaper for certain purpose. All these appar-
emily prosac details play no small part In the util-
ity of the decorator. The more of this CONNER
cial information they possess the better they
able TO control workmen ana serve their client.
FABRICS AND FURNITURE.
When II 10 selection of fabrics and furni.
ture, the decorator must know the latest designs,
their durability desrability and quantity
qured. that close estimates be made and
satisfactory results attained. Make yourself ia
mar with the quality. design and price of every
material that enters into the interior decoration OF
house ascertain at what stores they are 10 be
had. Educate yourselves in these important mat
ters. NewYork is full Of rch and curious shops
The merchants are always ready TO give Informal
ton, particularly when they learn that the nQulSi-
tor is a student, earnest and intelligent.
There are nne marble yards. where workmen will
explain the differences In marbles. Suppose man
Is undecided whether to have marble or stone
should be abe to tell which material Is the more
marbles and woods are softer than others. and
yield more readily to carvings Now, women rarely
House decoration is largely a side issue to me.
country owing to general ignorance Of the his
tory Of n a leahs Of h ae' w os away this
fact better understood by students who come
effort to paint picture be hung the line there
would be fewer poor artists and more good art-
Ss Of work tx d sn ri:
Church. one Of the workmen noticed couple OF
young girls who bore the earmarks Of art stu.
You paint on glass he asked ,ono. ..
assisting Mr. Ia Farse in the sSed e, ssn
along two struggling arr students 6y employing
them 10 work on some OF the Tapestries a ViaiI
OF art that invited the serious study Of the old
masters They came to and from the studio In
stealthy manner as If ashamed Of being identified
with the work. Their ideal from their standpoint.
was Infinitely higher. Vain TO tell them that
Raphael and Michael Angelo had expended some OF
their most precious time and genius on tapestries
that are still the delight Of the world, Subse.
quently one Of the girls married and when met
her AT a reception with her husband she asked me
never to mention &c him that she had ever worked
in INV studio at tapestry embroidering!
ia ~, noyer trust the mixing OF paints to my en-
poyes / see TO every co.or and medium that goes
On to the palette. The decorator must know the
Sirerent ingredients Of pigments When was
decorating the Savoy 9te had more man ., s sony
Melted private residence at Madison, " j. prac-
ticaily reconsructng the entire house superrvish3
electric bells electric lighting and designing plump,
ing iYt,Ires-in fact everything that undernss anu
a.. m. p,rey decorative, well as painting