New-York tribune., 1902-03-25
LEATHER FOR DECORATION
ITS PLACE IN HOUSEHOLD ARr-COLOR
EFFECTS FOR WALLS AND SCREENS.

Il IS said that leather has never been so ex-
tensively used for decorative purposes as now.
For years il practically restricted TO din
ing room. Office and library chairs and sofas. and
then seen only IN its plain, unembellished form.
With the renaissance in household art that began
about twenty-five years ago came q more general
knowledge and appreciation of the sumptuoUs old
Spanish and English feathers that were seen on
antique furniture. and modern dealers sci them
selves 10 work emulate their beauties Il possible
As & result. leather has become so beautiful that
4 expresses the highest thing attainable in house
hold art IN several directions.
In many cases these feathers are reproductions
81 the old CoTdOvan, so long famous. and even the
Ioftness Of tone. that IN the Cordovan is the work
time, IS faithfully copied with good effect
Many kinds OF skin used. are too
coarse OF grain 70 become flexible enough to
AXE the finish demanded for certain purposes
-oTlhide could be applied TO walls and screens
,ut is perfectly adapted chairs and couches. The
IS true Of most sheepskn. and great care is
exercised in selection. before the coloring and
decoration applied.
leading upholstery leather" house IS now dt-
ing UP several rooms in a new and beautiful man
don after the most fascinating fashion. The din
ng room walls are 10 be covered completely with
Gather OF deep. rich Jut dull red. Illuminated
gith CLEANS OF bronze The leather is applied IN
squares fastened with large duh bronze headed
acks. The frieze is a stamped leather somewhat
more highly illuminated than the lower part and
arge bordered panel Of the same heavily grained
Gather used for the walls. with the family coat Of
trnls carved in the middle with immensely decora-
The dining room furniture Is to be OF Spanish
FAlnut. upholstered with a deep reddish brown
eatheT, with the coat OF arms on back and seat
lor the library the prevailing color will be
nm foTest green, applied. In practically the same
say as In the dining room, wherever the wall IS
exposed above the long, low bookcases that ex-
end around the room.
A library table. massive and large. is covered
Tholiy with leather OF the tone, richly en-
ossed on edges and supports but smooth the
op. The chairs great. caVeTnOuS structures
ntiTe!y covered with embossed leather. ana over
he fireplace is 10 be a superb panel Of illuminated
mbossed leather, IN lighter but eXQuiSitey soft
:reen. representing a monkish group pOring over
heir missals around table
In the hail the walls to he covered with
tamped leather Of warm autumn brown, with red
ish lights. The frieZe is in higher Of brown,
Fth minRltng OF yellow. and l. stamped variant
the starike design the lower wall
The same house that Is doing this beautiful
Tork has lovely screens with hand fooled
'Order. The coloring - exquisite. particularly IN
Of blue leather. with q border that looks If
eet high, and having three folds. may be pur-
hased for SS5. which helps 10 convince the casual
inquirer that art in leather ike most art, is not
the humble poor"
The great cost OF fine feathers IS accounted for
Y the fact that OF the work that makes il
.eautiful is Of necessity done by hand, and even
he coloring has 70 be rubbed IN. tint by tint.
Soft leather either smooth OF the velvety
finish, IS greatly in favor for table covers,
ofa pillows and bookcase drapeTses and those who
once become enamoured Of II constantly find
ew uses for Il, IN service and decoration.