168 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



being too light, since we can diminish the day-light by means of blinds and 

 curtains, it is best that the hangings be of a light and not of a dark color, so 

 that they may reflect light rather than absorb it. Dark hangings, therefore, 

 are proscribed, whatever be their color. Eed curtains are to be met with 

 very frequently in this country ; yet it must be said that red and violet, even 

 in their light tones, ought to be proscribed, because they are exceedingly un- 

 favorable to the color of the skin. Orange can never be much employed, it 

 fatigues the eye so much by its intensity ; and, indeed, among the simple 

 colors there is scarcely any which are advantageous, except yellow, and the 

 light tones of green and blue. Yellow is lively, and combines well with ma- 

 hogany furniture, but not generally with gilding. Light-green is favorable, 

 both to gilding and to mahogany, and also to complexions, whether pale or 

 rosy. Light-blue is less favorable than green to rosy complexions, especially 

 in day-light; it is particularly favorable to gilding, associates better than 

 green with yellow, or orange-colored woods, and does not injure mahogany. 

 White hangings, or hangings of a light gray, either normal, or tinged with 

 green, blue, or yellow, uniform, or with velvet patterns, similar in color to the 

 ground, are also good for use. 



In regard to the draping of floors, it must be borne in mind, that for a 

 carpet to produce the best possible effect, it is not enough it is of the best 

 manufacture, and of excellent colors and pattern ; it is also requisite that its 

 pattern be in harmony with the size, and its colors with the decorations of 

 the room. It is important for manufacturers to know how to produce carpets 

 which will suit well with many different styles of room furniture ; and, in our 

 opinion, the best mode for attaining this end is, to make the light and bright 

 coloring commence from the center of the carpet ; for it is there (that is to 

 say, in the part most distant from the chairs, hangings, etc.) that we can em- 

 ploy vivid and strongly-contrasted colors without inconvenience. And if we 

 surround this bright central portion with an interval of subdued coloring, we 

 shall be able to give to the framing-colors (those around the margin of the 

 carpet) a great appearance of brilliance, without injuring the color of the 

 chairs and hangings. "With respect to the carpets of small or moderately-sized 

 rooms, we may lay down the rule that the more numerous and vivid the 

 colors of the furniture, the more simple should be the carpet alike in color and 

 pattern an assortment of green and black having, in very many cases, a good 

 effect. On the other hand, if the furniture is of a single color, or if its con- 

 trasts consist only of different tones of the same color, we may, without 

 detriment, employ a carpet of brilliant colors, in such a way as to establish a 

 harmony of contrast between them and the dominant hue of the furniture. 

 But if the furniture is of mahogany, and we wish to bring out its peculiar 

 color, then we must not have either red, orange, or scarlet, as a dominant color 

 in the covering of the floor. 



The covering of chairs may present either a harmony of contrast or a 

 harmony of analogy with the hangings, according as the room is large or 

 small ; and a good effect may be produced by bordering the stuff at the parts 

 contiguous to the wood with the same color of the hangings, but of a higher 

 tone. Nothing, we may add, contributes so much to enhance the beauty 



