i86 



AMERICAN HOMES AND 



ARDENS 



May, 1913 



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WITHIN THE HOUSE 



SUGGESTIONS ON INTERIOR DECORATING 

 AND NOTES OF INTEREST TO ALL 

 WHO DESIRE TO MAKE THE HOUSE 

 MORE BEAUTIFUL AND MORE HOMELIKE 



fhe Editor of this Department will be glad to answer all queries 

 rom subscribers pertaining to Home Decoration. Stamps 

 hould be enclosed when a direct personal reply is desired 



THE "LITTLE THINGS" IN THE HOUSE and meaningless decorative objects are scattered about. 



r, , , n* ■ v Some home-makers have a mistaken idea that a room 



By Harry Martin Yeomans .... . . . , . ., , 



will have a cold and rormal appearance it there are any 



BETTER understanding of the principles empty wall-spaces. Likewise they imagine they must make 

 which govern the interior decoration of the their rooms look "homelike" and "cosy" through a clutter- 

 home has resulted in a general elimination ing of ornaments in "fussy" effect. This is especially the 

 of the useless decorative objects which flour- case in small houses. A Japanese simplicity may not be 

 ished in the Victorian era and up to within desired in every modern house, but far better is it to have 

 a decade. empty wall-spaces of pleasing tints where the eye can linger 

 The what-not, the heavy mantel draperies, the hand- and rest, than to fill one's house with meaningless articles 

 painted plush banners and the wax flowers have been ban- that destroy the sense of repose which one should find 

 ished from our sight, and although this is a step in the right within its walls. 



direction, there is still work to be done. Such a hopeful The mistake of over-ornamentation and over-decorating 

 state of affairs has not come to pass because home-makers would not be made so often if the home-maker would con- 

 have been initiated into the mysteries which some persons fine his decorative objects to things that are utilitarian and 

 seem to think surround the evolution of an artistic home, at one and the same time decorative. The good old test 

 but because plain common sense has been brought to bear of things being both useful and beautiful is a good standard 

 upon the problem of our immediate environment, and good to go by, and will guide aright those who are in doubt. On 

 reasons and arguments, that appeal to even the most indif- the surface this may appear to be a rather strict rule, but 

 ferent, have been advanced to show the futility, not to say it is not, as it will be found to embrace all of the decorative 

 absurdity, of surrounding ourselves with such impedimenta, objects that are really needed in the average room. 

 It does not require a course in an art school or a perusal If we allow each and everything that enters into the con- 

 of Ruskin's "Seven Lamps of Architecture," to see the ad- struction and furnishing of a room to play its own role and 

 vantages of the large living-room, which has replaced the be decorative in itself, then we will not be tempted to de- 

 parlor and reception-room of another day; that a plain, pend on detached objects, such as useless marble pedestals 

 neutral colored cartridge paper, at thirty cents a roll, is and brass and onyx stands for decoration. If the wood- 

 more to be desired than one at seven dollars a roll made trim is good, the mantelpiece artistic and of a dignified de- 

 in imitation of brocaded velvet, and that a hardwood floor, sign, an harmonious neutral color on the walls, the furni- 

 with rugs spread over it, is more sanitary, not to say more ture in good taste, and the hangings simple and appropriate, 

 artistic and beautiful, than a nailed-down Brussels carpet, we have gone a long way towards solving the problem of a 

 Many otherwise beautiful interiors have often been ut- successful interior. Then it will he time to pause and to 



terly ruined by our inborn 

 propensity to collect small 

 decorative objects and then 

 arrange them on bookcases, 

 plate-rails, tables, mantel- 

 pieces and in cabinets re- 

 gardless of the effect that 

 is produced through over- 

 crowding and huddling. 

 Many rooms as they leave 

 the hands of the architect 

 and decorator (either pro- 

 fessional or amateur), are 

 almost complete and their 

 architectural and construc- 

 tive qualities count for their 

 full value in the decorative 

 scheme, but this effect is fre- 

 quently impaired by thought- 

 less overcrowding and a fine 

 interior spoiled when many 

 small pictures line the walls 



"Little things" are well arranged in this dining-room 



Iconsider carefully just what 

 ;j"little things" we will wish 

 to put into each room,, for 

 these little things are just the 

 intimate touches that will 

 make or mar all of the well- 

 planned work that has gone 

 before. Such items as the 

 lighting fixtures, doorknobs, 

 clocks, vases for holding 

 flowers and foliage, mirrors, 

 lamps, candlesticks, sofa pil- 

 lows, desk sets, bookends, 

 wastepaper baskets, lamp- 

 shades and fireplace fixtures 

 (if there is an open fire- 

 place), are objects to be 

 found in every home, and on 

 whether they are artistically 

 good or bad will depend the 

 success of your interiors. 

 What could be more 



