The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-30
EVERY ROOM AN1DEA.

Every room should stand for an
idea" said Frank Alvah Parsons, Of
Teachers college and theyHorace Mann
school, to the class of young statesmen,
furnishers and designers at the Young
Mems Christian association last night,
IN opening his course of lectures on
house furnishing and decorating.
This idea must be conception in
the mind of the person who furnishes
the ROOM" said Mr.. Parsons every
article of furniture, every drapery or
ornament should conform to this idea,
both in spirit and in outward form.
What do / mean by 'spirit?' Well, to
illustrate: Al mans smoking room
should stand for ease, strength, sim
plicity, rest. The furnishings should
not suggest Woman's boudoir."
There was a. great many more people
present than just7the classdi Educators,
art and manual:I training, instructors
from technical schools, members of the
faculty of Teachers college, manufac-
turers of wall papers, furniture and
carpets, superintendent of stores
where these things are sold, people in
terested in dressmaking and millinery
and other phases of design had been
invited, in addition to the class.
The fifteen lectures, in the course of
which last night' IS was the opening, are
those who earn their living by working
for the trades, hot for art connoisseurs
or rich women IN a .quandary between
Mission furniture and Louis XIV.
Upon his audience Mr.. Parsons i'm
pressed as a central fact the truth
that art is not exclusively for the
wealthy or the specialist in art work,
If art is good for any, it is good for
ALL" he said. 81, Art is the living spirit
a h. ct, o-%
things we do. We want to introduce it
through all the walks Of life. It is the
quality or element which distinguishes
work from drudgery, which gives us
pleasure in doing things and in coming
in contact with objects and events in
life.
"The home is the center for the de-
velopment Of any people. The family
life reaches its greatest efficacy only
in it's best environment, and the best
environment is that which is most
healthfule and most enjoyable. Art is
that element in the home which makes
possible the enjoyment of beauty,
wherever 1t may occur. It should be
found not only In pictures, literature,
music, sculpture and buildings, but in
the appointments of the dining room.
the selection and arrangements of car
pets, draperies, furnishings, ornaments
u,
the spirit that moves the emotions,
touches the aesthetic sense and makes
enjoyment possible. &c
The salesman who can place the
right goods before his customers is do
ing humanity service. from the mis-
sionary point Of view, If from no other.
But this is notthe great question with
most business men. The question of
dollars and cents is the question that
the salesman IS obliged by force of
circumstances to make the vital one.
IF 1 am getting $40 a week, how can
1 make $15? Ifrs15, how $780, These
questions are these that appeal to all
alike 9Is
mo man who sells goods used in the
furnishing of homes or the dressing of
people in those Homes passes an hour
without being asked, What would you
buy If you were buying?
ITO be sure, some answer is general
ly given to thedcustomer, but this sub
ject, like all others should be augment
ed by all the kr6wledge that can be
gained. This knowledge enables a
salesman to advise wisely and give
definite reason, based on common
sense. for his advice. In proportion as