HOUSE AND GARDEN 
January, 
1910 
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Especially where rooms are not sharply divided is there a necessity for 
carrying the main decorative scheme through both 
Furniture built along Colonial lines looks its best only in an environ¬ 
ment of white enameled woodwork 
harmonious and show slight contrast. The ceiling tint between 
the beams, or where a plain ceiling is introduced, should show the 
same in all rooms, and all floors stained alike in shade and given 
a similar finish. The variety brought into these rooms may be 
introduced through the medium of draperies, furniture covering 
and rugs, and these also should show color relation. If in the 
living-room the furniture is covered with a mingled effect in cotton 
tapestry, the chairs in the adjoining hall should show seats and 
backs in plain color. In the dining-room the same suggestion 
should appear in the furniture as far as construction and form 
permit. Door curtains of plain colored velveteen or arras cloth, 
with raw silk, scrim, or crash used at the windows, would carry 
the decorative feeling as expressed in the architectural detail. 
It is not often possible for the average person who builds a 
house to furnish it anew. Nearly everyone has some belongings 
which for reasons of sentiment or economy must be retained. 
Often from such pieces, whether of furniture, draperies, floor cover¬ 
ing or ornament, a suggestion may be found which will supply the 
motif for the entire decorative scheme. 
Even where there is no particular period suggestion to be fol¬ 
lowed, livable and charming rooms may be arranged and old 
furniture may be utilized in a way which will bring out its best 
value. 
When, therefore, it is necessary to fit the new house with old 
furniture there are some points which it is well to bear in mind: 
first, in assembling the pieces for each room, select those best 
suited to the uses to which the room will be put, and which show 
relation to each other in form or material, also such pieces as have 
real decorative value, or those which will add to the convenience 
and comfort of the occupant without detracting from the appear¬ 
ance of the room. The treatment of the walls is a point which 
can usually be decided and, therefore, in such cases the walls may 
be selected to suit the furnishings which are on hand. It is 
generally a good plan to have such walls plain in color, as any 
figure in the furniture covering will be more easily reconciled. 
In such rooms as these it is quite as necessary to consider the 
decorative scheme collectively as where the architectural detail 
of the rooms demands a certain style of furnishing. 
In bedrooms more latitude is allowed and they can be con¬ 
sidered — to a certain extent—individually. If the color sug¬ 
gestion of the hall from which such rooms open is neutral in tone 
or unaggressive, it is not difficult to harmonize a variety of color 
effects for the different bedrooms. The walls of such rooms may 
be covered in floral papers, and with these plain draperies should 
be used, bringing out some color shown on the wall paper; or, if 
plain effects for the walls are preferred, gaily figured chintzes and 
cretonnes, or dainty embroidered muslins, for the hangings and 
furniture coverings may introduce the design and variety of color. 
Even while preserving a comprehensive scheme of furnishing and 
interior decoration it is not necessary to sacrifice individuality 
Consistent decoration does not necessarily mean period styles; it is 
achieved through an appreciation of fitness and color harmony 
