GHAPTER III. 
DECORATIVE EFFECTS. 
General Suggestions — House Decorations — Hall Decorations — Mantel Decorations — Drap- 
eries and Screens — Effects with Ice. 
IN THIS WORK plants in pots are one of the prime requisites. ' ' I want 
plenty of large decorative plants'" is almost the first thing your cus- 
tomer tells you ; after that, smilax, and then designs, draperies, etc., 
ad libitum — or rather, as you get paid for them. 
HOUSE DECORATIONS. 
In house decoration you must harmonize with the interior, and con- 
ceal any unpleasant object, bringing out anything of beauty and merit. 
Here the real artist is available, and will have his services in demand. 
Make your work either primary or secondary to the furnishings, for in- 
stance : a group of areca lutescens placed around and back of a large 
marble statue, or any fine piece of carving, greatly enhances the beauty 
of it by contrast. In this case the plants are made secondary, but the re- 
sult is highly agreeable. Mantels, mirrors and stairways all offer special 
opportunities to the observant decorator. 
HALL DECORATIONS. 
The following suggestions may be useful : 
Decorate a house with one kind of flower, for instance, roses ; pink 
in one room, yellow in another, white in another, and so on. Where 
roses are scarce, substitute any flower that is to be obtained in sufficient 
quantity. Daisy or marguerite decorations are popular. Pansies, gladio- 
lus, lilies, water lilies or chrysanthemums can generally be obtained so 
that large decorations can be made of them. 
