The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1921-12-16

GENERALITIES

GENERALITIES
We have studied the principle
rooms of the average house the
living room, dining room, kitchen and
bed room. Some houses have libraries,
nurseries, music rooms, and drawing
rooms as well. But they are rooms for
special purposes, and are treated ac-
cordingly Few of US have use for
these separate rooms as such. Cen
orally our library is part of our liv-
ing room, and an important part it
should be. Our music room is there
too. The nursery is often the child's
bed room, and provisions should be
made there for comforts and needs of
the young members of the family.
Unless a house is built especially
adapted for the requirements of the
particular household, these rooms
are not found in the average house.
They either minimize confusion or
increase the homework of the occu-
pants as the case may be. In this day
of simplified living, each household
should decide the advantages and
disadvantages of surplus rooms ac-
rording to the means and needs of
the family.
Suffice it to say that there are
general principles of decoration
which cover the problems of all rooms
and will guide us in our decision in
the matter of proportion, color and
selection of appropriate furniture.
The study of proportion is a def
mite study and the true appreciation
of it comes from observation and ex-
perience. But there are certain logical
ways of working out the proportion
of room to get the desired effect,
which are obvious. The size Or shape
Of a room may be modified by the
use of certain lines and color ele-
ments. If room is too high in pro-
portion to its size, the use of hori-
zontal lines will make it seem lower.
The use of a moulding about IS ;"
from the ceiling, with the space a
bove the moulding the same color as
the ceiling, will bring the dividing
line between ceiling and walls at
lower level. The use of straight val
ances at the windows extending over
the side curtains will accentuate the
horizontal lines and will aid in car
rying the eye around the room rath-
er than up and down. The use of pure
color for the ceiling will tend to low
er it.
The converse is true. If the ceiling
is too low for the size of the room,
the use of vertical lines will heighten
it. Striped wallpapers or striped ma
terials for draperies or panelling
will accentuate the vertical lines and
make the room appear higher.
Furniture of different heights will
relieve the squarness of a room.
Bright colors for walls in large
rooms will diminish the size of the
room. Dull colors will make small
rooms seem larger. In small apart
ments with rooms opening out of
each other it is advisable to use the
same wall paper turnout, in a middle
value of grey or tan, thus is the
effect of spaciousness and unity at
tanned.
In large room, the use of large
designs in uphostelery or curtains as
well as wallpapers, will decrease the
size of the room. If large designs are
used in small rooms, they tend to fill
the space and give a crowded, con-
fused effect. Brilliant colors have the
same tendency. Thus color evolves
itself as part of the study of proper
ton.
Texture in materials and wood
work make for the success of the COL
or scheme of the room The granting
of the wood, veining and polish of
marble, the depth of lacquer, high
lights in china and the sparkle of
glass and silver, each adds something
as a color note and adds to the re-
Election or absorption of ligh5 as de-
sired. The use of metals or glass in a
dark, dull room gives opportunity
for the reflection of light to relieve
the monotony. Smooth textures in
materials reflect more light tran dull
textures, and their use should be
studied.
Pictures often offer a suggestion
for the color scheme of a whole room.
The correct hanging of pictures is
something that many people neglect.
The cords should not show, but il tho
moulding makes it necessary, TWO
cords should be used, carried perpen-
dicularly to the moulding at the cell
ing line. They should be the color and
value of the wall in order to attract
as little attention as possible. Any
picture of good size should be hung
so that the center of interest will be
on the eye level. Where small pictures
are used in groups this should ap-