Household Decoration 1047 



and roof, and a hearth of mica slate ; and I know it to be m many respects 

 healthier and happier than living between a Turkey carpet and gilded 

 ceiling, beside a steel grate and polished fender. I do not say that such 

 things have not their place and propriety; but I say this, emphatically, 

 that the tenth part of the expense which is sacrificed in domestic vanities, 

 if not absolutely and meaninglessly lost in domestic discomforts and in- 

 cumbrances, would, if collectively offered and wisely employed, build a 

 marble church for every town in England; such a church as it should be 

 a joy and a blessing even to pass near in our daily ways and walks, and as 

 it would bring the light into the eyes to see from afar, lifting its fair height 

 above the purple crowd of humble roofs." 



A GUIDE TO CLUB STUDY 



A. The orinciples of home decoration. 



1. Unity of effect. 



2. Atmosphere. 



3. Harmony. 



4. Simplicity. 



B. How to carry out principles. 



I. Walls. 



Their importance in the scheme of decoration. 

 They define limits and act as background. 

 Should be quiet and restful. 

 Colors. 



Primary colors: red, blue, yellow. 



Their differing effect on people as shown by experiments. 

 Nervous strain from being surrounded by glaring colors. 

 Soothing influence of softened and subdued colors, called tones. 

 How tones made up of several colors unite and harmonize 



mixed furnishings. 

 The color influence of nature. 



Shifting masses of brown and green that nature uses, a 

 good suggestion for interior color scheme. 

 Warm and cool colors. 

 Crude colors, when used in home decoration, are faded or 



" toned " by nature. 

 Bright colors used in nature only to accent effects. 

 This hint as applied to home decoration. 

 Figures and patterns for walls. 



Walls, as a flat surface, should represent only length and 

 breadth, not thickness. 



