Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-22
INTERIOR DECORATION
SUGGESTIONS FOR COLOR SCHEME
IN HALLS AND DINING ROOMS.
One Ill-Advised Hue May Make Dis
cord and Spoil a Chromatic
Symphony.


From the Upholsterer.
Interior decoration is an art II is the
art of bringing together, in perfect har-
mony, kindred forms and blending colors In
the same measure as a discord will disturb
and sometimes upset a symphony in music.
a clashing dash OF color in wall, floor or
window decoration, or a piece Of furniture,
mantelpiece or chandelier not In form with
its surroundings. will create dissonance in
an otherwise harmonious interior.
There many persons, not familiar
with market values in the wide range of
drapery stuffs and decorative articles, who
under the false impression that a sue
Cessful scheme of interior decoration re-
quires a large expenditure of money. Even
where money is spent lavishIy the results
are often unsatisfactory, and sometimes
failure is complete. Yet, where the means
are limited and the expenditure is of neces-
sity relatively small. artistic skill and good
judgment often produce gratifying results.
The general effect is not dependent on the
costliness of the wall paper, the carpets
and the draperies but on the color sense and
skill with which they are combined
The Reception Hall.
AS you enter a home the hall gives the
first impression of the interior. and this
impression should be good one. good
color for the wood work Of a reception hall
would be either natural or green oak. If
the former is used the wall paper may be
steel blue or green. With the latter either
a rich red or tan can be used. Solid color
burlaps are very suitable for the walls
The ceiling should have some decoration In
heraldic or Gothic style.
If the hall is square and spacious II may
be treated as a room, being furnished with
pictures and ornaments. If the floor is or
hard wood an oriental rug m proper colors
will lend a charm and the appearance OF
cosiness and comfort. In hangings there is
an overabundance of fabrics which may he
used to good advantage. such as tapestries
and velours, Verona velourS and Velours
with leather applique or borders.
IL is only a few years since all parlors
were furnished i'm white and gold. present
ing very fiat appearance. White enam-
eed woodwork is the most appropriate for
a modern parlor. With this any good color.
especially Nile green or rose, can be used
with great effect.
Treatment of Walls.
The walls may be treated in two-toned
brocade paper oil color or silk brocade, or
tapestry may be employed. If the latter
the wall spaces can be divided in panels.
A plain wall is pleasantly relieved by
good frieze, if the height of the room per-
mits, and a decorated ceiling. There is a
great tendency to simplicity in draperies to-
day. Small figured silk armures and bro
cades are used to a great extent. In some
rooms, with high ceilings and plain window
frames, cornices and embroidered lambre-
quins are in good form.
The floor covering must harmonic with
the wall hangings, and the writer abso-
lutely prohibits the use of family portraits
in any medium i'm this room. For the H.
prary empire green is suggested for wall
color, In burlap, plain paper or oil paint
Here all the family and other portraits OF
interest may be gathered. Figured tapestry
or velours is advised for draperes
The dining room is one of the most i'm
portant in the house, and demands careful
treatment Flemish oak woodwork and
furniture produce a pleasant contrast with
solid red solid Dutch blue walls. The
lower part of the walls may be of plain
burlap, paper or paint, while the upper
part may be made the main feature of the
room by means of a frescoed frieze in Ger
man or French renaissance. Recently the
upper third of dining room walls has been
effectively treated by painting a Dutch
landscape or marine view into them In
hangings a bold colored velour, with black
leather embroidery, to harmonic with the
Flemish woodwork. is pleasing. This is
merely one method of treatment. There are
are hundreds of others equally good.