Year: 1878

A most noteworthy revival OF inter
est in tho internal decoration Of resi-
dences--especially country residences


has occurred within the last fifteen
years. To any one who may have had
occasion TO visit some of the great
house decorating establishments OF
Boston, New York, Cincinnati, and ST.
Louis, the sumptuousness and princely
elegancy of these furnishings seem
marvellous in the extreme. When o
modest man inquiries as TO the possibil-
ity of indulging his own taste little
in his unpretentious home, his hopes
vanish instantly as the thousands Of
dollars are counted up in the purchase
of few small articles of adornment,
and bis ardor for art culture in the
family circle experiences most nm.
pleasant chill.


1t is very evident to any careful stu
dent of present tendencies that there
is great danger that decoration will be
ovcrdone. When we are told that
some Of the superb homes along the
Hudson, and many in the interior and
even on the Pacific Slope, have absorb
ed from sl50,000 TO 100000 in deco.
ration and furnishings alone, aud that
a well known clergyman has spent the
summer months on an extensive lec-
ture tour-away from his church-in
order to be able to finish the decora-
tions of his elegant villa among the
Highlands, we may well stop TO inquire
whether there has not come a degen-
craoy rather than an elevation and pn-
rfication of taste. Many seem to for
get that excess is unartistic. True art
leaves the mind in condition Of health.
fnl invigoration, 1t is that kind of in
vIgoration which results from the bar
monious blending Of q large number Of
elements, any one of which, if in ex
cess, would interfere with the accom-
plishmcnt OF an aristocratic purpose.
1t IS this nice balancing Of forces, this
polse, thisquiet confidence which comes
from the consciousness OF having the
whole subject under thorough control,
which are the necessary conditions Of
success. A truly artistic work must
reveal to the beholder this condition
and mental state of the artist The
end of art is not to produce surprise or
create gaping wonder. This is an ig-
noble aim, which may be attained by
the ignorant and vulgar. Right here
lies the danger OF present rage for in
terror decoration. 1t is liable to be
pushed to an unwarrantable excess, and
the result may be mere glitter or an
offensive tawdriness. Color has most
important mission but this missi is
too often ignored, or utterly misunder-
stood Like the admiration of drugs,
well calculated 10 restore the suffering
to health and vigor, il used in proper
quantities and under appropriate con
ditions OF the system, color may be
made to contribute TO our highest
pleasure and aesthetic delight but i'm
properly commingled and thoughtless
" worked, the effects may be repulsive
to all genuinely cultivated people.


Another too prevalent evil Of modern
interior decoration is that OF excessive
detail, or of ovcrcrowding the wall sur
faces or tho space to be used with such
multitude Of objects as will confuse
and obscure. The designs which are
exhibited by decorators lie open too Of
ten to this charge, That simplicity
and unity, which are essential TO best
artistic results, are too frequently sac
rfccd. Dignity and cbasteness are
forgotten. The ceilings too frequently
blaze with color, or dazzle with gold.
No central, controlling, thought can be
discovered in all this luxuriance oi dis.
play. The eye tires, the mind wearies
in the attempt, to solve the complica
ted enigma, or to trace the labyrinthian
maze Of lines and figures. The walls
are covered with objects-many Of i'm
mense costllness-without regard to
theme or lesson. Furniture, porcelain,
brica-brac, representing a mint of
money are thrown together as in some
old curiosity shop, or like cast-off ma
terials. in Qarret.