The New York herald., 1922-12-31
Decorating Trend Toward
Simplicity Of Good Taste
BY HARRIET sIssON GILLESPIE.

THE TREND of fashion In house
decoration appears to be entirely
In the direction OF simplicity. but
a close consideration of the subject dis
closes the fact that II is the simplicity OF
good taste, not the homespun variety,
that merely spells economy. The old
adage that the best is the cheapest never
held so good as It does to-day In the
matter of house decoration and furnish
ing. and a survey OF the shops all show
decided tendencies toward the selection
of better class OF goods, and this ap-
plies to design as well as to quality.
The field Of interior decoration is in a
state OF change and unrest such as has
not been known in many years Every
phase OF house furnishing is affected,
and In many cases the decorative aspects
of draperies. wallpapers and floor COW
erings arc reversed. Formerly plain
walls and figured draperies were popu-
lar; now figured papers and plain hang
ings are being used. Floors that we're
LETT uncovered are being carpeted and
the plain filling, once so much In vogue,
has given way to carpets in patterns.
The aim in general is to have fewer
things, but TO have them better The
tendency to buy high grade wallpapers,
better type Of rugs and carpets and
more artistic draperies and window
hangings is evidenced by the supplies be-
ing carried by the best shops, which, by
the way. In many cases are not equal
TO the demand. That a higher standard
OF decoration in the home has been at
tained Is due, In large measure. TO a
more comprehensive knowledge Of what
art In home decoration means.
This has had its origin in the fad
for collecting old time furnishings The
craze for the Colonial, for example. often
begun in superficial way, ended by
being educational In effect. And the
mere fact OF possessing a fine old piece
OF mahogany. a BIT OF old blue china
or reproduction of rare hand blocked
wallpaper such as graced the fine old
mansions in tho early days are incen-
tives to their owners to live up to those
standards.
Improvement Is Artistic.
1t is, perhaps. An the realm OF artistic
design that the most notable improve
ment is shown. That tendency Is noted
more particularly in wall coverings than
In almost any other line unless II be
window draperies and hangings. A deem
interest in the revival OF old patterns in
wallpaper such as were printed from
the old woodblock designs invented in
France by Jean Pappllon In 1888 IS
evinced.
Tho psychology OF color has come 20
be recognized and to play an important
part In the selection OF wall coverings
The fact that color has a powerful emo
tional effect on the mind, thus making
II dominating note In interior decora-
ton. IN now widely realized. The effect
OF colored wallpaper on the mind as
well as on the morals Is fully appre-
ciated and the psychoanalysts have
even gone so far as TO take IL into ac-
count In registering the various COM
plexes TO which the average human
Is addicted.
An authority on wallpaper SAYS that
the next seasons stock includes many
new designs In superb colorings. He
made particular mention OF the revival
Of Chinese Chippendale design, which
we're declared last year 20 be passe but
which have come back stronger IN popu
lar favor than ever before. The wall
paper business. it was intimated. had
suffered in the past from the fact that
most people thought more of their drap-
cries and floors than Of their walls
with tho result that the latter suffered
In consequence. The carpet folk. curl