Living, and Other Rooms 



159 



it is anything but roomy. As the scene of entertainment and festivity, its style and 

 character should convey just such an impression and no other. Being also a 

 formal room, it should be designed in a formal manner, and in a truly architectural 

 style suited to its 

 purpose. Perhaps 

 the best style in 

 which the feeling 

 may be conveyed is 

 that of Louis XV. 

 or XVI., or, if one 

 prefers, the lighter 

 forms of the Italian. 

 As the natural 

 treatment of the 

 Colonial for such 

 purposes comes so 

 close to the Italian, 

 it is hardly worth 

 while to note the 

 differences, although 

 they, of course, exist. 

 The above styles 

 are equally appro- 

 priate for all gala 

 rooms, and it is bet- 

 ter that all of the 

 gala suite be in the same or similar styles so as to thoroughly harmonise. 



As the salon is not to be lived in, its treatment should be light in tone and per- 

 haps somewhat rigorous in execution. The wall can be brilliantly decorated, as 

 the style may suggest, but the introduction of pictures, prints, bric-a-brac and 

 books, which is very much out of place, should not be attemped. Bronzes or 

 marbles can be used with good effect, but such objects should be so disposed 

 of as to avoid any chance of being overturned. The furniture should be light and 

 strong (thus easily moved), and in the style of the room itself, and it should be so 

 placed as to give ample passageway about the room. Such pieces as catch the feet 

 and garments should be avoided; much damage is often done to limbs and expen- 

 sive gowns, owing to poorly calculated furniture designs. 



The ceiling of the salon offers a beautiful chance for mural decoration, 

 undisturbed as it is by wall hangings and heavily hung pictures. The wall 

 surface should not be encroached upon by the cabinet or other high pieces 

 of furniture, lightness and airiness, which should be striven for, being the 

 chief charm. 



As has been before stated, the salon is not the place for family gatherings. 

 It is an unsatisfactory substitute for the cheer of the fireside. Its only use has 

 to do with formal gaiety, and hence it is seldom requisite in the American country 

 house of ordinary pretension. 



An informal general living room in a summer home at West Gouldsboro, Me. 



