New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-30

New York. though it brides itself greatly
al times on being up-to-date. IS so often
accused Of being provincial that II can
hardly be surprised 10 hear that IL is pro-
vincial n its style OF house furnishing
more so than any other city OF the East.
Such is the charge OF Miss Amy Ferris,
prominent interior decorator OF the me-
tropolis.
rs this because the New York woman
cares more about her clothes than about
her home?" the reporter asked.
Partly" responded Miss Ferris. She
wouldn't tolerate clothes that were out OF
date. inharmonlous in color, or totally
hacking IN fitness but when II comes TO
furnishing a room she is frequently blind
10 the lack OF Just these things. Wnhe
she would not think OF wearing a skirt Of
the present fashion with waist which
was in STYLE three or four years ago, she
does not see the incongruity OF placing be-
nde a piece OF heavy walnut furniture
bought forty years ago light piece OF
oak furniture in an up-to-date design
Women who are faultless in their dress
are often barbaric in the decoration Of
their homes. which IL would seem should
be Of prime importance 10 them. Elaborate
lace curtains make the small room look
smaller. but they are purchased instead OF
simple scrim or madras hangings, because
they are considered so handsome. The
huge arm chair is crowded into the small
sitting room OF the apartment. not because
r. Is beautiful, or appropriate. or even
comfortable but because. we've had II ever
since We began housekeeping. How much
more comfortable and attractive the aver
age apartment would be II only women had
the courage 10 get rid OF some Of their
household gods.
But IL is not only the tendency TO have
TOO much furniture which brings bad eff
fec,s The tendency to oyerfurnish one
ra-t Of the house at the expense OF the
rest Of II is Just az bad The selection Of
the kitchen utensils and the furnishings OF
the maids room should receive as much
care and money In proportion as the re-
ception room OF the parlor.
This lack Of the sense OF fitness is not
a. all a matter OF money. A couple having
An old farmhouse Just outside Of Brook
line. Mass. asked me to furnish the place
simply. in harmony with the simplicity Of
the old house. but New York woman
who felt that she could eXpend only 500
on the furnishing Of her apartment wanted
an elaborate parlor.
I'm planning FOR the furnishing OF a
house men are more likely TO see 1t a
whole than are women. The woman gen
orally enjoys selecting individual pieces OF
furniture. and frequently. when placed in
the same room. they form a hodge pOdge.
But about their Offices men are as con-
ventional as about their religion A den
list told me that he wanted his Office done
In green because all dentists Offices were
IN green. and some business men whose
Offices I furnished were very doubtful
when ! suggested Elizabethan panels and
amber glass instead OF the conventional
shiny oak partitions ana opaque glass
They finally consented. however. and were
delighted with the result.
How DO YOU induce people 20 give up
their cherished ideas about the furnishing
OF their rooms ." asked the reporter.
Oh that is very simple" laughed Miss
Ferris Il tell them that n get what
they want and let them live with 1t for a
while. but I take care to choose me
things IN their most pronounced form
For instance the son OF a woman whose
house 7 was furnishing wanted his room
2
frisze representing q green trels' WIN
c-s-ar,a vines running over it, and .aFen-
ss- curtains a. the window. ! sent him
roll % the paper and the curtains, taxing
no pains. however. 70 get them IN theH
last objectionable form, and told MIN 10
hang them I'D In HIS rooms for i WINE
B4 wrote me that the things were great
lust what he wanted At the end OF me
week called at the house and TOOK win
ne some paper and curtains that were
really pretty and appropriate. These
also asked him TO hang in his room. IN
~ end he concluded that he liked them
ttst
Miss Ferris has never failed 90 hnd 'hal
when aDpropriate furnishings are placed
beside those that are bad in form or coIor-
Irg the preference. in the end. is slVep 10
he former. Even provincial New 1orAeIs'
ale SAYS. are beginning 70 appreciate me
pl.ss-re and satisfaction there are III
really artistic room. and she quotes as
significant the case Of a teacher IN one Of
the public schools who, on receiving an