Household Decoration 1029 



harmonious effect. It is a great study, bringing zest to the daily work 

 and adding comfort and refinement to the home. There are principles in 

 decoration that every one can learn, and good results will follow as the 

 housewife studies nature in order to enable her to simplify and elevate 

 her taste and ambitions. 



Decoration is not mere ornament; it contributes to the making of a 

 home picture. To produce a picture the artist places on canvas the 

 forms and colors necessary to bring all things into beautiful harmony. 

 In the art of decoration we are constantly producing pictures. The 

 decorator makes use of materials to produce effects as truly as does the 

 painter, but in a different way. The artist with brush works upon canvas 

 not merely to show certain paints. The housewife who adorns her home 

 works for general effects, although attention may be centered on some 

 particular object that is emphasized by a pleasing relation to its 

 surroundings. 



Simplicity an important principle in decoration. — - Comfort and good 

 taste are excellent motives in decoration. The first law of good taste is 

 simplicity. Two kinds of flowers do not grow on the same stem, although 

 we are sometimes guilty of placing a conglomerate mixture of flowers in 

 one vase. 



The Japanese teach us lessons in simplicity of decoration. Their sug- 

 gestions should do aw^ay with complex mingling of materials and arrange- 

 ment. They do not display articles on their walls for mere ornament, 

 but place them in cabinets to show to their friends as a matter of interest. 

 Their homes are not over-decorated in order to show off bric-a-brac. 



In seeking materials with which to decorate, combine utility and beauty 

 if possible. This makes the most attractive decoration. " Be its beauty 

 its sole duty " is not always sufficient. 



HOUSEHOLD DECORATION 



Helen Binkerd Young 



The problem of home decoration is always with us. In the absence of 

 such advice as good decorators might give on this subject, the average 

 woman is thrown on her own resources, solving her problems by senti- 

 ment rather than by reason. This brings many failures and few successes; 

 for preferences, to be safe and practicable, should be based on wise and 

 reasonable principles. This bulletin aims to review these principles. 



Unity of effect. — Broadly speaking, a simple, united effect is the first 

 quality to be desired for interiors. This is true whether the interior be 

 one room or several connecting rooms through which vistas are seen. 

 All parts of the home picture should harmonize so as to produce one 



