The Washington herald., 1921-05-22
A ROOM TO LIVE IN.
(Copyrght.l s21. Kiesrhax Linen Rur Co.,
Dept. Of lnterior Decora tion.l

Every room in the house is a
living room in a sense, but there
is only one room which rightfully
deserves this name. 1t is COM
bination of rooms, where We may
live" is a privilege, and to live
comfortably" Is that privilege
glorified.
The living room should therefore
be a comfort-giving room for use
at all times. in which to entertain
to dance, to dine informally. for
the youngsters to romp and to hap.
Let us see how all OF this might be
accomplished in one, single room.
The first part of any room to be
considered-that is, in decorating
and furnishing it's the back
ground. Which do you think would
be- most suitable for this room of
combinations? Would you prefer
one covered with design and orna-
ment. or would you choose one with
plain surfaces to help accentuate
the furnishings you introduce? :?
There is no doubt which you will
select.
Plain Background.
1t is the later, without hesita-
tion, because you know that plain
backgrounds are more restful than
those which are ornamental and
prominent. But what part of the
room Is the background? 1t is the
wall surface, the floor and the CELL
ing.
If your room is extremely large,
then your background may become
part of the decorative scheme, but
only If the room is large. A small
room is considerably ENLARGED"
Chat is. to the eye) il it Is treated
in a plain, neutral color.
Begin with your walls. A soft
bum. tan or fawn color would be
pleasing and suit any decorations
you Introduce. Let us select Just
FOR the sake of designing a room,
a bun background. The woodwork
or trim may be painted the same
color (and nothing helps more to
increase the size of the room) or IL
may be painted ivory--never white.
II we use plain floor surfaces to ac-
cent our orations.
Thick heavy rugs made Of pure
linen are very desirable because
they are made in a plain weave
without pattern-their colors ar,
charming and their effect so rest
tul. A plain, dark tan, brown or
dark grey rug should be selected for
the floor.
For this room let US choose the
dark grey or mole. Since the foor
is the foundation or ground Of the
room and should always be darkest
In color: the ceiling Is the sky and
should always be the lightest, Desd
"hlte ceilings should by all means
De avoided; use a lighter tint than
the color of your wall. Ours should
De cream. And behold, the bscL-
ground is complete!
Now let us work on the drana
les. For room that Is to be a real
llVlns room, we should avoid vel
vets tapestries and brocades as
tnese Immediately suggest formal
lty or elegance. Ours is to be honey
ana informal. There are innuneraI
cretonnes and printed linens to he
seen In our shops and it is rather
uIihcuIt TO make a recommendation
we recently saw one which wouId
De charming for our room-a huf,
background with a foliage of darL
green's and bearing wonder" fow-
ers OF purple, blues and carrot"
AL the windows a plain NET or
easement cloth with an overdrap.rv
oI thls cretonne would be Interest
ing Tne glass curtains to the all,
ana the overdraperies to within on.
.ourth tqot of touching the floor
valance il desired, depending on
the helght of the window.
AT the door repeat this ssus
urapery' making them ample
enough In either case SO that tb.,,
actually overlap when they are mi.
~ drawn. Get enough material 20
cover at least one of the chair. in
the room (and preferably one1.
The Welcome Fireplace.
Let your fireplace or mantle %
you have one, be the center n, tr
terest OF the room, and with this in
view treat everything else sccora-
lngly. around this place your fur
nlture' Since the mantle is the cen
Sr OF interest, the wall space above
at is the place of honor, ana ber.
should be hung our choicest picture
preferably a portrait in OIL or an
attractive batik or tapestry,
AT one side of the frepIsce nae
an overstuffed davenport balanced
opposite by the chair covered In
eretohne and reading table or
taDIe Tor the serving OF the after.
noon tea AT one wall place a desk
Ntn H. accompanying chair and
waste basket. and your piano or
victrola at another.
behind the davenport you might
use long narrow table with one or
Two reading lamps and books. now.
ers and magazines. II you have
CHOSEN plum eolored velour for
the furniture coverings OF the dav-
enport and side chairs, use pillows