A single, dark, opaque shade gives too much 
contrast inside with light walls 
A single white shade is better, but it is im¬ 
possible to cut off much light with it 
The best combination—an opaque shade 
outside and an inside translucent shade 
Making the Best Use of Window Shades 
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL REGULATION OF THE LIGHT THROUGH WINDOWS, IN¬ 
DOORS AND OUT, BY DAY AND BY NIGHT, WITH SOME CONSIDERATION OF COLOR HARMONY 
by George Leland Hunter 
Photographs by Henry Fuerman, H. H. S., and others 
T HE decorative effect of window shades is often disre¬ 
garded, the selection depending on the momentary whim 
of purchaser or salesman. Almost without exception parsimony 
is practiced, even when the 
rest of the furnishing is on 
a generous scale. Yet the 
window dressing of a 
house has everything to do 
with the appearance of 
both interior and exterior. 
And of window dressing, 
except in metropolitan 
mansions, where draperies 
are elaborate, with lace 
next the glass and over¬ 
hanging of tapestry, da¬ 
mask or brocade, the shades 
are one of the most obvi¬ 
ous features. 
In all decoration an 
important law is: “Avoid 
violent contrasts.” If the 
shades are very dark or 
densely opaque, the con¬ 
trast between the shaded 
and unshaded parts of a 
window, seen from the in¬ 
terior, is extreme—deep 
shadow above bright light. For during the day shades are com¬ 
monly rolled up to leave the lower half or two-thirds of the win¬ 
dow exposed. But if the shades are light in color and semi- 
translucent, the contrast is 
gentle and pleasing. 
The color of the room 
is an important factor. 
Green shades in a red 
room, or red shades in a 
green room are an abomin¬ 
ation, as are dark shades 
in a light room. But while 
the shades in a room with 
dark walls and furniture 
should correspond in 
tone, the contrast with the 
outdoor light must be kept 
in mind, and the shades 
should be lighter than the 
other furnishings. If the 
windows have small panes, 
or leaded and colored glass, 
the brilliancy of the light 
that comes through them 
is less, and there is less 
danger of too violent con¬ 
trast with the shades and 
interior walls. 
For those who prefer no shades at all, some such device as this must be 
employed—sash curtains, above and below, with inside draperies 
(285) 
