New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-25
By M. Rea Paul
OF National Lead Compn1iy

In olden times color was used =
decorating the exterior as well as the
interior of buildings, whereas to-day
there is evidently decided tendency
TO eliminate it. We are often led to
wonder why our public buildings, and
in many cases our houses, are so lack
ing in thing that so strongly marks
the ancient medieval and early Renals-
sance structures.
The majority of our public buildings
receive an interior treatment of a dull,
lifcless color or white. We also find
white used quite often in the modern
house and preferred by some because
Of its appearance of cleanliness. Per-
hans in some cases the real reason Is
simply that it furnishes an easy solu-
ton of what otherwise would involve
problem Of color harmony.
Nature Limits Use OF White
In turning TO nature we find the use
of white is limited when compared
with the nulrberless variations of color
that she employs. To-day we are 90 in
the habit Of observing subdued colors
and dull tones that when we do see a
building which has been richly treated
with strong hues, its appearance is so
marked that we are led to wonder IN
the majority of cases, even though we
admire it, if we are not observing
decided lack of taste on the part Of the
decorator. Though every one loves
color, there seems nevertheless ten
dency to avoid the use of it and instead
employ dull drabs and white, for most
people are too timid TO risk the crit
cism Of the public by the use OF strong
color.
Color, when applied to the house,
should be considered structually, that
is to say, applied in such way as to
assist and aid the eye in Immediately
y explaining the architectural features
and division. Architecture should not
appear merely as background Tor
decoration, but the decora ton should
be subservient to the architecture
tending to strengthen and emphasize
its lines.
Effect on Health
Consider the colorless undecorated
buildings or the interior of q poorly
illuminated room. How much more
rapidly the eye could grasp its struc-
tural features if colors were to be ap-
piled with proper emphasis on the i'm
portant lines. AT this point, the ques-
ton invariably arises as 20 what color
can be used to advantage in this or
that particular room. The majority
, OF people arc seldom conscious of be-
!
unless those colors are decidedly un-
usual. A person will grow nervous and
restless without realizing the walls
of d room have been crowded with
details in strong advancing colors tina.
are altogether too active for the in
! terror Some colors are warm. active
and advancing, while others are cold,
! lifcless and recedinG.
What Colors Will Do
Orange. for instance, makes an ad
vancing demand on the observer as
compared with receding blue. In a
small room active colors would seem to
cramp and crowd the occupants, while
receding colors, suggesting space, seem
to remove the feeling of limiting walls
and ceiling and tend to keep them
remote. AS a general rule. strong ad-
vancing colors such as red, orange,
etc, are restricted to large rooms,
though they may be employed effect
lively in small rooms if extended into
their tints by the addition of white
or neutralizcd by intermixture with
other colors.
Neutraiizing the hue, or in other
words, erayine the color, makes it less
advancing and intense and helps to
apparently increase the size of the
room. Recedng colors with blue in