The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-09-27
Eleanor Frances Household Letter.
NV YORK. Sept. 70. 1907

W" 4phh. Ccpl' H. lC't'
1t would seem that no corner Of the
earth had been left unransacked to supply
articles of use or decoration for American
homes to judge from the display Of house
hold plenishings this season
To make the proper selection is the
difficulty in most cases. The wise woman
takes stock Of her belongings and needs
before she starts out to visit the decorator
or department where she intends to supply
them. If she is possessed of ample means,
has definite idea what she wants, and is
furnishing without regard to previous pos
session, the task is comparatively easy,
but if-like the great majOrity--she is
limited as to expenditure, and has to buy
new things that will accord with used ones,
she must make greater demands upon her
judgment and taste.
Beside the capacity of her purse, she
must consider the general coloring and the
use to be made of each fitting. Har-
monious colorings that blend easily are
better than vivid contrasts. Everyone has
seen a new rug or wall paper introduced
into room, that threw into strong relief
every defect in the older furniture making
the familiar things hitherto satisfactory,
appear forlorn and shabby. 1t is usually
better to choose quiet, low toned colorings
for walls and floor coverings. These are
the backgrounds for other furnishings and
should be kept in the ckground, though
they may be costly and elegant as purse
and use will allow
Black walnut is very much to the fore at
present 1t is the same wood that was
fashionable in the COS and 70's but the
finish is different. The new pieces have
dull surface and the wood is in the
natural color. ''Circassian Walnut is
the modern name, and very elegant and
enticing are most of the pieces shown while
they blend especially well with the prevail
ing fad for tan, and brown tones, and are
often relieved with delicate touches of
gold.
Fine linen materials, printed in old
tapestry colorings, and known as '.Taffetas
are very much used by the best decorators,
as are the English glazed chintzes that
come in especially artistic designs and
colorings. Household furnishing has made
great strides in the past few years, and
must now answer to the demand for prac
teal durability and hygiene as we'll as to
decorative effects.
The furnishings of the living room is
considered of more importance than the
decoration of the parlor or reception room,
and very delightful are some of those done
BY prominent decorators here, One seen
recently had the walls panelled with Sanitas
the new washable wall covering-in a
finish that closely resembled burlap. Two
shades of yellowish- brown were employed
for this. The darker confined in panels
that were outlined with narrow, half-round
gilt moulding. The ceiling was much
lighter. A tint closely resembling old
ivory. Caucasian Walnut picked out with
delicate gold traceries constituted most of
the furniture and the long Dutch window
was hung in pale yellow Madras printed in
Persian tints. A large rug in golden
brown tones with rich border of Eastern
design and coloring, blended happily with
the other fittings of the room.
The hall was decorated with the same
sort of wall hanging only here it was finish
ed TO resemble leather, so closely that only
and expert could detect the imitation,
while in kitchen and bathroom and in the
children's nursery and sleeping rooms a
Glazed tile pattern and had been used that
was pretty, attractive and practical.
The hangings and upholsteries through
out this house were of chintz or linen
tapestry and the whole furnishing was not
only thoroughly in accord with the best
ideas in modern household decoration, but
was hygienic and easy to care for since
erything walls, floors and hangings, could
be kept perfectly clean without injuring
their color or texture at the least possible
expenditure of time or trouble.
ELEANOR FRANCES.