St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-01-30
HOnE DECORATIONS.

NV IL DA4SOANFA ASlN1s
A meaningless room Is a distinct
hindrance to those who live In it; the
color one loves and the furniture that
has a loving association or suggestion,
q distinct help. And the support given
to picture by an appropriate framing
is as important as that in the picture
itself. Subject and background should,
to use a colloquialism, hang together"
says The Art Interchange, in which
the following also occurs:
1t is not at all necessary that unlim-
tied wealth and knowledge Of the
beautiful should go hand in hand. 1t
cannot be denied that in many houses
where the income is limited the taste
exhibited in furniture and arrange
ments is very often superior The
possession of money enables US no
doubt to buy better articles, but we
cannot buy artistic perception, the
want Of which no amount of rich or
massive furniture can hide. Indeed,
bad taste will be found in the houses
of the rich as in homes of far less pre-
tensions.
For those who may not be gifted with
that innate perception of the good, the
beautiful, the true, careful study of
good models and perfect designs will
do much to remedy a defect which is
very apparent in many houses.
In identifying our homes to the best
Of our means and abilities we act not
merely for ourselves, but we attempt
or should attempt to give our guests
and friends as much pleasure during
their temporary visits as we ourselves
enjoy, and our pictures and decorations
and furniture should be chosen to
please, not oneself but all and sundry.
Let us use our taste, not merely for
selfish qualification, but to give some
share of the pleasure we feel ourselves
to our visitors and friends. This Is
duty which is expected from US and a
duty we ought to fulfill.
Here are shown examples of artistic
furniture into the making of which en-
tiers the question of taste rather than
cost. The first illustration, like its COM
panion, is taken from an arrangement
of furniture in actual existence ana
shows an artistic treatment of a corner
without great expenditure of money.
The employment Of the large mirror,
simply framed, serves both a deco
rative and a useful purpose, and the
plant, while adding to the attractive
ness of the corner, is so placed as to
get light from the window at the back.
1t will be noted also that the chair is
so placed as to get light for reading at
the back of the reader and at the same
time face the companion reclining on
the couch.
The corner seat, bookshelves and
writing table are simple in design, yet
would add to the attractiveness of
living room or library. The finish
should be in harmony with the other
furnishings of the room and may be in
green stained oak with sage green cor
duroy cushions or in mahogany or cher
ry with crimson plush cushions. The
mirror which is introduced above the
cushions at one end serves to tighten
the corner by rejecting light and may
be omitted, if not needed, and picture
used in place; also the maker will have
no difficulty in lengthening the end to
be of the same dimensions as the side,
seen beyond the table. Certainly, while
the services of a cabinet maker may be
required in its construction, when COM
pleted the owner will have a corner
seat of artistic design and one not to
be seen duplicated in many houses.
One difficulty in carrying opt any
decorative scheme of artistic furnish
ing is that we crowd the room. The
error is in getting too much rather
than too little. The simplicity of fur
nishing in the library mentioned gave
to it an atmosphere of quiet and beau
ty that was not only refreshing but
ennobling in its restful, refining infu-
ence.