Evening star., 1943-10-15
|High>Waisted Room
BY Margaret NoveU. .


The Federal or Empire room is
well adapted to living today. Its
stately dignity is good background
for busy, well-ordered life. Trim,
neat lines, uncluttered walls and
sleek surfaced furniture take min
imum of housekeeping time and the
colors of the period, with their soft,
muted tones have charm and rest
fulness which are very necessary
after the intense workday that most
of us are living.
More than all of this. the furni-
ture and decor of the Federal era
hts naturally into the Washington
scene.
Many of us have inherited fur
niture of this period which was so
fine that it is just as useful today
as the year it was made With
background prepared for its recep-
tlon and modern reproductions to
fill in the empty spaces, room done
IN the Empire manner can be both
charming and Ivable.
In the early 1800s the new United
States was in its first throes of
nationalism and in the furniture
and furnishings of the period used
the national emblem, the spread
eagle profusely. Duncan Phyfe, lately
arrived from England, was the ac-
Claimed furniture builder of the
period. At the same time Napoleon,
having come to absolute power In
France, was attempting to impress
the elegance of Empire" on the
more delicate and restrained "Di-
rectoir4" which had been in fashion
Tor only a few years. England also
had its own Interpretation of the
period. The fashion in America.
England and France had manv
Things IN common, though when
placed side by side their national
differences are apparent in the
pieces of furniture.
In each country, rich, deep-toned
wood was used almost entirely. The
reedlng, carving and surface patina
gave a regal elegance to each piece.
The more ornate sofas and tables
were decorated with brass finals
and classic insignia. In America.
this was usually the spread-eagle or
other heraldic design. In France.
the Greclan delicacy of form,
with its enamel and gilt deco
ration. gave way to the more formal
marble tops and lnlaid brass deco
ration of Italian origin. Today, we
have in this country many imported
pieces as we'll as the American
made ones. With simplified back |
ground, their richness of design is
very effective.
Fashionable ladies of this period |
wore the high-waisted, straight |
skirted gowns, which placed them |
perfectly in the picture. Men
wore Soft-colored coats of pale gray,
putty color or olive tones, with knee
breecheS and fancy waistcoats. The
fashion of the day was for ease,
comfort and dignity, which makes
this interior fit our needs at the
present time.
The modern Interpretation of the
ii4SH-"dlSIeu era Illustrates tne
statelineSs Of pale-ton walls and
floor coverings as a background for
furniture of the Federal era. The
placing of the deep, glowing colors
of furniture coverings and draperies
against this is very effective. Re-
strained use of fine decorative OBJ
jects which have practical use, such
as clocks, lamps, flower urns and
similar accessories, give the rich
ness and elegance associated with
the period without fussinesS.
Many an old Washington house
lends itself bravely to Federal fur
nlshings. Walls painted in grayed
tones of mauve, green, blue or coral,
or dove gray might use drapery
fabric of a deeper tone, in the same
color. Against this leather or