San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-07
BY WALTER MURRAY.

In furnishing a Dutch colonial home
the important thing is to feel the
spirit of the period, for unless one
carefully interprets the very character
OF that interesting and historic epoch
in our history, it would be far better
to create rather, house which makes
no pretentions of period delineation
With our knowledge of that carly day
in Americas history as guide, we
realize that the life then was primitive
hardy and simple. The Dutch who
came TO settle in New Amsterdam
(now New York state), brought with
them and established in America not
only their traditions and customs but
also their architectural knowledge,
and it is from that we have obtained
our present Dutch architectural style,
now particularly popular in New
York state. They brought much house.
hold equipment and furniture with
them also, and through the use of
these pieces as models and their skill
as artisans, they soon added consider.
ably to their household equipment. At
this point the influence OF new world
conditions was felt. For one thinS.
these artisans had to use materials
which were available in the new en-
vironment and these all exerted an in
fluence on later American furniture
creations.
1t is not always advisable to try
to reproduce a period exactly. Rather
we should adapt its best elements
than to reproduce period exactly.
Rather we should adapt its best ele-
ments to our present mode of living
and to our circumstances. We must
always consider the various ways in
which our homes and oun lives are
alike and different from the lives and
homes of the period which we are
thinking Of reproducing. There are, of
course, many features which can b.
exactly copied. as for instance. in wal
treatment. The gray smoOth-finish
plaSer walls are always attractive.
simple and suitable, since they are in
keeping with the period. However, as
is not generally known, during the
period Of Dutch influence in England.
many colors were used on plastered
walls. Among others. We find gray,
buff, brown, pale yellow, blue and
green. In many colonial homes in this
country, colored walls are found, and
for our purpose gray or buff walls
might be used. II white is preferred,
the walls may be left in the natural
plaster finish, painted or papered. OF
course, a later development was the
landscape paper, though this was not
typical Of the Dutch colonial period
Choice Of Wood.
Oak were used before the Dutch
period-influence in England, but, TO
a large extent, its place was taken
by walnut, and later again by ma
hogany. The choice of furniture-wood
for Dutch colonial home should de.
pend almost entirely upon the wood
which the architect has chosen for the
interior finish. In case the wood
trim is painted a cream or ivory
either walnut or mahogany would be
harmonious, though the latter would
be more of a contrast. Walnut has
always been a staple wood in Europe
and was principally in vogue during
the Dutch period-influence in Amer.
lea. 1t will be less expensive to fur
nish home artistically in walnut THAI
mahogany. In any case avoid the high
ly polished wood. At the present time.
walnut furniture is being ornamental
by means Of a design in bleached