Household Furnishing 



1067 



pieces identical in pattern, as a certain amount of variety adds interest. 

 But in either case, violent contrasts are to be avoided. An old mahogany- 

 desk or high-boy would clash with yellow oak, but it might harmonize 

 with dark brownish oak or with walnut. A little experimenting will 

 yield satisfactory results. 



As soon as possible we should get rid of tufted and tasseled upholstered 

 pieces, whether chairs or couches, having them recovered with strong 

 material stretched tightly over the framework. The couch should be 



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Fig. 29. — An appropriate curtain for general use. Cream -colored scrim with hemstitched 

 border, two inches wide on edge and seven inches wide on bottom. These should be hung 

 to the window sill and pushed apart if view permits 



provided with enough pillows to make one comfortable but not so many 

 as to preclude use. These pillows may be covered with denim, burlap, 

 linen, cretonne, or some other figured material, but not with hand-painted 

 satin, embroidered violets, heads of ladies or of Indians, or outlines of 

 pipes, books, steins, horses, or scenery. All of these ideas are trivial, for 

 a cushion is a pillow and not a picture. Such decoration is false and in- 

 appropriate for the use intended. The dignity of use should always be 

 borne in mind. 



' The space in front of the windows should be kept free from such obstruc- 

 tions as taborets and gilt stands displaying groups of statuary. Aside 

 from ventilation, the object of having the windows at all is to allow the 



