The Indianapolis journal., 1902-11-02

that the user may kick, bang. shut the
drawers and scatter ink drops on without
fearing its dissolution or ruin.
The modern buyer says these useful
things are beautiful. The greater part are
built of oak, merely ruffed smooth and
tinted. with the grain of the wood showing
plain as in the fresh-cut board. AS yet
1t Is not advised that home be crowded
with heavy oaken pieces-indeed, some en-
room-the bare necessities-are better than
many. Thus Is obtained the effect OF
space" and view.
THE ROOMS IN KEEPING.
Walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors,
in this revival. are furniture-as vital in
the complete scheme as the dining room
sideboard. Morris lamented the rise of the
ugly, contract-built British houses-crude.
unlovely structures that baffied the decora'
tor But he came to the point where he
tried to make the best of it, Paint the
window frames and sash bars white, he
said, but got little farther with the out
side.
The fight to take off the carpets from the
floor was first won-the rug hunter led the
way, and willing fousekeepers followed.
The mere absence OF dusty corners was
delight, then it began to be seen that the
wood of the floor might be worth looking
at Builders no longer left gaping cracks
between the boards and the value or wood
or marble mosaic was learned.
Decorators regret that the modern ceiling
is a broad expanse of shiny. smooth, white
plaster. They recall the time when the
beams showed out honest, bare and time
stained Then the ceiling was beauuful,
integral part of the room furnishing. But
beams that are solid and rich enough TO
put on exhibition are not In the present-oay
builders stock. What Is hoped for is some
kind of tough, workable plaster, tnat may
be designed and painted.
Windows that are cut into small panes'
loaded where possible, and set high up.
please the decorator; to him they are OF
more value than much fine gilt clocks. stat
uettes and bric-a-brac closets. great,
wide solid settle under such window Is
like the home harbor-that was discovered
first in country houses and summer cot
tages where the blessed idea got abroad
that something of the unconventional and
careless-the comfortable, in short-could
be tolerated. Now 1T Is possible to ind
apartment houses, even, In the city with
ufipainted bricks IN the outside wall. with
white window frames, and six or nine panes
in every sash-places where one may feel as
IL he were really indoors on a cold day,
with a roof over his head
Walls in the modern scheme, must be
nushed away as far as possible. III the room
is not really big 1t must be treated so that
the walls do not. at least, seem 70 strike
one at every move. Decorations should be
nIaced low not much above the level of the
eyes, say the decorators, Tor the top OF the
room ought TO create the Illusion OF mucn
<nace and plenteous air.
60 fhe f,lrnisher has become half archi-
feet lust as he once was Use and beauty
combine TO throw out needless ornament,
and simplicity has come 10 nave reai
commercial value
HAND WORK IN DEMAND.
For IL must be said, in commenting on
his tendency to return to the simple. that
hand work is deemed almost imperative.
Machinery turns out much attractive and
axnensive furniture, but TO the modern eye
IL Is piastered all over with the label ma
<ha ar
too perfect-there are no unexpected gouges
OF the chisel. nothing unique In design The
machines whis al day turning out side