Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-08
NrND
HONE EALKS
Mgs@@A BY pB PA u oND
The Growing Beauty of the Home

T has been said, and Is being said yet, that America is short OF art.
| I 1t tt Is quite true. We had to clear forests and plant cornheIds and
~ pictures or weave tapestries Or carve sculpture. We could scarcely
take time to make the home beautiful. In fact, with many. home was
simply the place to rest and recuperate for the work in hand. Our minds
while in the house we're not thinking how pretty and resttuI wer the
furnishings; but were planning coming tasks. wondering how to make a ew
lore dollars. or meet the bills that were falling due.
But a change is coming, Is already here, In this respect. We have
made the dollars, many of u.s.; II we are beginning to see that we do not
need SO many as We thought. We are getting a ew conception Of the
home. We are finding out that artistic, harmonious furnishings rest u s
quite a much as a comfortable chair or an eas bed; In fact, more For
they lay a finger of peace. of tranquility, upon the spirit For If the mind
Is not soothed, W e will toss reslessly upon the softest couch. We have
come to perceive that the home that Is beautiful and satisfying is worth
Just as much as money IN the bank. And the art of BODYBUILDING gin It's
LOST comprehensive enses going forward by leaps and bounds.
Indicative of this is a pilgrimage abroad this spring of those interested
in making the home beautiful The party, under a weuknown director
of art, will make a tour of the art centresa abroad, for the special purpose
of studying art decoration, Or perhaps more truly art development. of the
home. They will study household furnishings, art, architecture, sculpture.
carving-anythtng that Will serve ito make the home more beautiful And
among the Roman and Greek Antquiies-whereve they can find
beauty, which to their trained, keen eye ca be adapted to household use,
Then with all the data they car collect, they will return and go to the
task of adapting 1t to American needs. And their efforts are n directed
toward making the homes OF the rich more beautiful. But 1t Is hoped that
hure VIII or better lines more simple ornament, because of It,
Colorings for home furnishings will become softer, mor harmonious The
ornaments Of the home will be more artistic Into all home furnishings.
it is hoped, that this influence will penetrate 1t may take SOL time. but
gradually it Will make itself felt.
In. the little party are teachers o manual arts In the public schools,
art students, interior decorators. furniture makers, designers of all kinds,
o that what they absorb will spread in many directions.
1t ia a scheme big with promise for the future beauty of the American
home When we nce do become interested in art, when We make every
thing about us artistic. there will be art given to the world second to none.
For when the American gets in earnest. he accomplshe things.
And art n the home Ia a. more important TIC u welLbeing than art
in art galleries. To have beauty about us where the W "a fall upon IL
every day, in fact every minute, of home life. is to do a tremendous thing
tor the American people. Even to us to the value OF havinpt bs
home beautiful ia much. For, one women are awakened to 1t, they will
study the matter for themselves far more thoroughly than they are doing
at present. They will put into the home the simple, neutraloolored floor
the other furnishings They Will do away with much of the show and
glitter and over-furnishing of today, and choose fewer and more truly
some. For truly has 1t been said. that a thing of beauty is a Joy forever.
B.L.x /a-4<F