Farmers' Week in Agricultural College. 26o 



The rugs may vary in value from the home-made rag rug to the 

 costly Oriental, but if the colors are soft and in harmony with the other 

 furnishings of the room the effect is sure to be good. A light rug is 

 apt to be conspicuous and seems to rise in the room while the darker 

 ones will "lie on the floor" — that is, attract less attention. For the same 

 reason large figures and striking pattei-ns are to be avoided. 



Plain walls of a neutral tone are most restful and give a good back- 

 ground for pictures and other ornaments. The tinted wall is much to be 

 preferred over paper or any other covering for sanitary reasons and the 

 color applied to a semi-hard rough finished wall gives a delightful effect. 

 If other covering must be used burlap gives a most pleasing effect and is 

 very durable, but its qualities as a dust catcher are against it. If paper 

 is to be used let it be plain or so nearly plain that it gives the effect of 

 one color. The style to be avoided above all others is the large or strik- 

 ing design so arranged on a contrasting background that the figures fall 

 into lines which run up, down and diagonally, compelling the eye to 

 travel around the nerve distracting outlines of squares, diamonds and 

 other geometric figures while one counts over and over again the spots 

 that compose them. In the division of wall space two points should be 

 noted — vertical lines tend to increase the apparent height of a room 

 while horizontal lines, breaking the space in the other direction, tend to 

 decrease the apparent height. In a low room, therefore, avoid borders and 

 other marked lines about the room, and if too low vertical lines — as in 

 the paneled effect — will seem to add height. On the other hand the 

 effect of a very high ceiling may be modified by using the ceiling color on 

 the walls down to the level of the picture molding, or by a wide decorative 

 border or by. a dado of different but harmonious tone. Here a figured 

 paper if well chosen may be used to advantage. 



The direction and quantity of light should govern the predominating 

 color in a room. Brighten an otherwise dark room by light, cheery walls 

 and hangings. Soften the glare in an over-lighted room by dull tones 

 which absorb the light ; neutral greens are specially good for this purpose. 



If the woodwork in a room has poor lines the defect will be less pro- 

 nounced if there is very little difference in color between it and the walls. 

 If the furniture is old the fact will be emphasized by contrast with 

 shining newness in paint and paper, while a background of dull tones 

 will make the defect less conspicuous. 



The furniture, being intended for use, should first of all be strong, 

 well built and comfortable. A plain, substantial chair or table built on 

 good simple lines is greatly to be preferred over one of the fancy variety 

 having numerous curves and much machine-made ornamentation. Built- 



