116 



If carpets are used it is well to relieve a plain carpet by mats 

 or small rugs in which are pleasing figures and colors. In selecting 

 a carpet study to secure a design that will produce restfulness as the 

 eye dwells on it. The size of the room may determine the size of 

 the figure of the carpet. A large figure is obtrusive in a small room. 

 Wide and pronounced borders may be successfully used in a large 

 room, thus leaving smaller space to admit small designs or plain 

 surface. The color of the carpet should be chosen with reference 

 to the tone of the walls. The colors may be in strong contrast and 

 still be pleasing. Brownish green is safe for it has a kindly rela- 

 tionship with other colors. 



Paper is the expedient oftenest resorted to with which to cover 

 walls. Bric-a-brac and draperies may be removed and replaced at 

 will, but the wall paper must last through more than one season, 

 a constant object for the eye to rest upon. The ingrain papers have 

 proved a blessing in the way of wall decoration, since they have a 

 plain surface, and, lacking the presence of conflicting figures, are a 

 good background for pictures. Glaring designs and violent colors 

 are to be avoided. Styles in wall papers should not necessarily 

 guide the purchaser. Certain rooms, because of a small amount of 

 light, demand light-colored paper, while a well-lighted room will ad- 

 mit of darker shades. A room in light colors always appears larger 

 than one papered in dark colors. White is too glaring if used freely, 

 although it may produce a light effect in a room. Cream or light 

 yellow is more desirable, for when it reflects the light it gives a 

 warmer glow than white. Deep yellow, deep blue, or heavy drab 

 often lack delicacy and usually are inharmonious with all else in a 

 room. Vertical stripes in the paper seem to add height to the room, 

 while bringing the paper down to the picture molding about two 

 feet from the ceiling gives the room a lower appearance. Large fig- 

 ures in wall paper, as in carpets, are suited only to a large room ; 

 while small figures suit the eye better in a room in which one wants 

 the shut-in, cosy feeling, as in the small family sitting-room or in 

 the bedrooms. 



To complete the beauty of the home a careful selection of fur- 

 niture must be made. Booms should not be crowded, and furniture 

 should be suited to the place it is to occupy. It is difficult to secure 

 this fitness in detached articles. The articles may be good in them- 

 selves, but not appropriate to the place where they are to be used. 

 We are too prone to regard a piece of furniture for the beauty in 

 itself as it is seen in the store, without regard to its setting. In 

 buying we must think of what we already have in order to deter- 

 mine whether the coveted object will be regarded kindly by its 

 surroundings. 



In some houses, the sitting-room concentrates the family life 

 within itself, and is also the place where friends are received. In 

 this case art and utility may combine gracefully the art which 

 pleases the eye of the visitor and the utility which provides the com- 

 fort so desirable for the every-day life of the family. This will 

 place the flower-pot in the wiedow., or a prettv shade on a lamp. 



