1064 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Not one piece in one hundred should be left in this half-bumed condition, 

 but nearly all should be consigned to the flames for finishing. 



The idea giving rise to mission furniture was a more serious one. Weary 

 of sham, shine, and ignoble forms, the public was ready to accept any sort 

 of furniture that appeared plain and genuine. Many of the mission 

 pieces are clums}^ crude, uncomfortable, and weak in the joints in spite 

 of their solid appearance, and the wood has in many cases been stained 

 so dark as to kill the grain; yet this wave of mission design has given 

 modern furniture a trend in the right direction. As a result, there may 

 now be found on the market durable and appropriate furniture that com- 

 pares favorably with colonial work in the solidity of its construction and 

 in the refinement of its form and finish. 



Let us now apply these rational ideas to the different parts of the house. 



the hall 



The hall is primarily a place of entrance and of passage. It should 

 radia,te cheer and yet be kept free from unnecessary furnishings. Above 

 all, dignity and order must prevail. The smaller the hall, the more 

 difficult is the task ; hence, it sometimes happens that a small hall appears 

 more like an enlarged coat closet than like anything else. Garments 

 hanging limply from hooks destroy all attempts at neatness. For this 

 reason, the family apparel, at least, should be hung out of sight, either in 

 a coat closet or on a row of substantial hooks behind a curtain or a screen, 

 which may be supplemented by a few exposed hooks in a convenient 

 place for the temporary use of visitors. 



The atmosphere of a hall with a limited amount of daylight will prove 

 most cheerful if some yellow, tan, or golden brown color is used for the 

 walls, provided this harmonizes with the adjoining rooms. Either a plain 

 or a two-toned figured paper will be appropriate, the pattern being kept 

 small and neat unless the hall is fairly spacious. A stripe may be relied 

 on for dignity of appearance, provided the effect is not too elongated as 

 one looks up the stairway. The use of pictures and ornaments in halls 

 should be avoided, as they tend to give the place a trivial aspect and, 

 except in rare instances, are out of place in a passage. 



Some provision must be made at the threshold for wiping muddy feet, 

 and a well-ventilated umbrella jar with drain pan will be needed beside 

 the outer door. The main part of the floor should be covered with a 

 large heavy-weight rug of mixed weave or of a pattern in grays, browns, 

 or some other color that will not show footprints readily. A plainly 

 framed mirror of clear, perfect glass should be hung in such a position 

 that it will reflect a person standing in a well-lighted spot. A chair, 

 settle, or small table may be added, according to the usable space. A 



