Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-02
SHORTS TALKS ON
HOUSEFURNISHINGS
BY KATE aREENLEAF LOCKE.
The Nursery Beautiful.


1 once saw a frieze for a. nursery wall
representing Robin Hood and his merry
men, Under the greenwood trees the
scarlet-coated figures wandered, with
Friar Tuck and Little John In browns and
grays-the whole making beautifully
decorative effect, while it illustrated the
doughty deeds of these harmless fascf-
mating bandits in such a way as to stimu-
late and entertain the imagination of a
child.
Historical facts put thus before a young
mind and impressed by day after day 8
intimate contemplation could not fail to
make an indelfble impression upon it..
Who of US does not have standing out
in the memory some picture that
hung on the nursery walls in child
hood? One carries through life, not al
ways. perhaps, the clear outlines of the
picture itself. but always a definite idea
Of something the picture suggested to our
childish brain, Unconsciously these sug-
gestions help to form and to develop the
intelligence.
The first thought of young mother is
that her child's nursery should be airy
and bright. although it may not be
spacious, and that every suggestion con-
tanned in 1t should be a happy and cheer
full one. The old, folklore fairy tales that
have become classics, and without which
no childish education is complete, are now
reproduced In friezes, and one may see
Cinderella ard the magic slipper or the
White Cat in charming figures with ap-
propriate settings In landscape, etc.
This is a new phase of decorative work,
which promises an interesting develop
ment. There are young boys who would
delight to have King Arthur frieze. and
.I<,., Nfc in
"Ivanhoe' would be a constant enjoy
ment.
AS in my own childhood the Vatican
landscape appealed to my imagination.
attempted to reproduce in frieze for
| my room the misty distances of blues and
pale greens broken by delicate poplars
and willow trees Of this great artist. l
even copied from fans the vivid dainty
figures that are grouped in his fore
grounds. and with some success; but,
tive instinct Informed me that nothing
less than Aubusson tapestry on the fur
niture or an AubuSson rug on the floor
| would carry .Out such a frieze success
fully. l do not advise paneled and pic
tured walls in a nursery, because they are
not restfuI enough. A frieze of about two
feet in depth with the walls below 1t kali
somined or papered in one tone of some
clear color is far better. Ornamentations
which have no usefulness or meaning
should not De introduced III - Ciuuieh
nursery.
All worrying and confusing lines in
decoration and furniture should be avoid
ed. have seen sO-called craftsman
furniture designed especially for nnrser-
les so unmeaning in it's intricate COM
plication of lines, that it would have
driven an old and settled brain to distract
ton merely to. contemplate it, and
shuddered to think Of it's influence on a
nervous child.
Little sanitary beds. with purely white
bedding and, as I have said. some clear
color on the walls, or white wooden
! paneling below the frieze. couch OF
glazed chintz where birds of paradise,
gayly colored cockatoos or peacocks are
delightfully."- in evidence-chintz over white
curtains at the windows and warm,
softly bright all-over carpet on the floor
this scheme gives a pleasant nursery in
all of it's essentials. Other things may be
| added besides the toys and clothes
presses but they will i'm all probability
detract in reality from the simple charm
of the room.