The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-01
HARlNONZOUS COLORS
FOR HOME DECORATION
AggyeSSige C0l0rS Like Red, GOLD ana ORANGE
.Sh0atld only Be Used for Notes of Accent-
Natures Combinations a Safe Guide-Sim-
pier Styles I'M Drater1es GroaOiug int Fayor,
zapo Sets Being Sufficient for Any VindoaO.

In an article on harmony of color as
applied to house decoration the Crafts
man says: Red is a color that should
be used advisably and for accent rather
than in large surfaces. It is suggest
i've of warmth and cheer: it strikes
the note Of the fires glow; it is the
danger color-aggressive, self-assert-
i've, melting to action rather than to
repose. 1t is a color, therefore, that
should be avoided absolutely in sum-
mer furnishings, and whenever used in
mass, so modified as to lose much of its
individuality; terra Gotta, maroon and
the deeper crimsons being much less
violent than the vermilions and more
pleasing than the reds with a purple
cast.
In halls particularly, libraries or gen
eral hvlngrooms, touch Of red is a
delightful addition, appearing perhaps
in the rich tones of an oriental rug, a
bit OF upholstery, or striking piece of
| pottery. Just here we need to empha-
size the Importance of using the more
| brilliant intense colors, such as vermil-
ion, orange or gold as the accents in
s scheme Of decoration. One must
never be conscious Of the individual
colors in room, but only of complete
and satisfying harmony. Whenever
possible this color scheme, or theme as
we may better call it, should be decided
on at the outset and then consistently
carried thru. No note of color should
find place there but such as have a
definite part to perform.
Unless you be a master hand, keep
the color scheme simple; consider the
| Snn0ial nnaHc Of rnnm-fha
ton of one room to the other. Select
the colors with an appreciation Of their
individual values; greens wherever rest
| and repose is to be sought for; for
green is the color Of all colors that
| nature has chosen to refresh and re-
store the tired eye. Yellow is invalu-
able, wherever there seems to be lack
of cheer, for yellow is sunshine color
and brings gladness and brightness
with it. Should room be, by reason
Of it's location, sunny and bright, there
is chance to introduce one Of the soft
old blues which are always charming-a
little white in curtain draperies and a
bit of yellow or rose here and there will
GOODNESS that the blue suggests.
Pink is always prime favorite
for the nursery or for children g sleep
ingrooms--there is hopefulness in
the rosy, tints that makes itsgown ap
peal to children. .Daintiness is one OF
the first lessons a child might well
learn from his surroundings. g..
1t is at once evident that the proper
use Of color entails not only judgment
and thought, but some intelligent
knowledge of the subject as well. Fol
some their own individual taste seems
to be guide enough, but to those who
| have not this unerring instinct in the
choice Of color, we advise that they
keep close to the beaten paths. One Z
home is a dangerous place for expert
ments of any kind.
Learn the real secrets of color har
mony. as displayed in the worlds best
paintings. Above, all, see nature her
self with open eyes: One can neve,
err in using the Combinations that she
finds good, and which, as they appear
and reappear in the successive seasons
never weary us, but seem to charm u:
anew with their beauty. Every hedge
row, every lane and forest path, viii
teach us more than any treatise ever
can Of the mysteries Of color harmony