Although the paneled wainscoting and much of the furniture is of the Elizabethan period there is no apparent incongruity 
in the introduction of the upholstered easy-chairs 
Congenial and Uncongenial Furniture 
THE NECESSITY FOR SELECTING FURNITURE THAT WILL HARMONIZE WITH THE ARCHITEC¬ 
TURAL STYLE OF AN INTERIOR — HOW FAR ONE MAY GO IN GIVING PLACE TO ODD PIECES 
Photographs by Floyd E. Baker and others 
(140) 
I N selecting the furniture for the new house the ambitious ama¬ 
teur must take first into account the architectural demands 
made by the type of the house to be fitted, and second the require¬ 
ments of those whose lives will be lived within its walls. I his 
done, there is little likelihood of failure in the completed rooms, 
as the finished result must of necessity be consistent and suitable 
and therefore beautiful. 
There are, however, several varieties of pitfalls awaiting the 
inexperienced and unwary. One may fortify one’s self, however, by 
thoughtful observation and intelligent reading upon the subject- 
matter of ornament and furniture of the several periods most 
frequently encountered in the architectural designs and types of 
furniture in use today, and thus have ability to distinguish and 
select that best suited to the house under consideration. 
The present extensive employment of cement and concrete in 
the construction of houses has brought forward the “Craftsman” 
type of house, as well as the half-timbered English, as both styles 
lend themselves well to this material. The furniture used in the 
Craftsman house must carry the same plainness of line and 
sturdiness of construction as the building itself expresses. That 
variously known as Mission or Craftsman can be used throughout, 
and will seem at once a part of the rooms in which it is placed, 
although in houses of some other designs (notably Colonial) 
this furniture is wholly incongruous and difficult to place. As 
much of this furniture is very heavy, it is a good idea to supple¬ 
ment such large pieces as the davenport, long table, and easy- 
chairs, with some chairs of wicker or willow. These may be of 
No type of furniture would harmonize so well with the architectural 
character of this dining-room as the so-called Craftsman type 
