XI.
If we strive to give to the exterior of our houses a pleasing appearance, how much more reason is there to beautify the interior.
It has been claimed that pretty and comfortable homes exert a decided moral influence. Be this as it may, we are all interested in making our homes attractive. And there is no reason why they should not be so. We are apt to think that costly things must be beautiful, but this is by no means true, nor is it true that inexpensive objects must be ugly. The same materials used in the construction and decoration of an ugly apartment might, with the exercise of a little taste, be so employed that a graceful combination result.
Low ceilings give an air of comfort, while very high ones have a cold and barren effect, and increase the cost of the house.
The ventilation of a room should be quite independent of the height of its ceiling, that is to say, a room with a low ceiling may be well ventilated, and one with a high ceiling may gain nothing by the extra height but greater facilities for retaining poisonous gases and foul air. Gwilt gives as a rule that the height of the ceiling of a rectangular room should be the same as the width of the room; but since the apartments on a floor are of unequal size and the ceiling commonly of the same height throughout, no such proportion can be kept. Nor is it necessary for a small cottage. From 9 to 10 feet is ample for the first story rooms.
The proportion of a room may be modified by the treatment of its walls. Vertical lines give an appearance of greater height, and horizontal lines make a room look lower. Accordingly, the division of a wall into horizontal bands by means of the dado and frieze, now in such favor, has a tendency to make a room look lower than it really is. This division, however, is a good one. The dado is simply a substitute of a cheaper material for a paneled wainscot of wood. The wooden base board and chair-rail should be retained, as they serve to protect the wall. A broad frieze is an excellent decorative feature. It should be separated from the wall surface by a picture-moulding from which the pictures will hang.
The excavations at Pompeii have shown many beautiful examples of harmonious wall decoration. The walls are divided by dado and frieze, the dado being generally darker and the frieze lighter, than the intermediate surface. We will do well to follow this arrangement even if we do not adopt the Pompeian colors.
If the plaster is finished with a rough surface (sand finish) it takes color well, and makes a satisfactory wall. Within the last few years, wall-papers have been manufactured which are good in design and low in cost. Many of them, printed in two tones of the same color, are delicate, and make good backgrounds for pictures. Being delicate and quiet does not necessarily mean that the paper must be gray and colorless. It may have a decided color, and still harmonize well with the pictures and other objects in the room.
Dark red matting used for a dado gives a most satisfactory effect. It may be continuous or divided in panels by narrow strips of wood.
Cartridge or ingrain-paper is now made in excellent colors, and is a good substitute for printed wall-papers. To break the flat surface a stencil pattern may be traced on it, or this may be done directly on the plaster, which must first be colored.
A good ceiling is made of simple felting-paper in lieu of plaster; the paper divided into small panels by narrow beaded strips of wood.
Lincrusta-Walton is a valuable material for some choice bit of decoration.
For door and window trims and other interior woodwork, white pine is recommended, as it is the cheapest, and, if properly finished, looks very well.
It may be stained, if too light—the transparent stains merely darken the wood and do not conceal the natural grain. Under no circumstances try to imitate oak or walnut by graining. Such shams deceive no one and are in the worst taste. If we use paint for interior work let us use it frankly, carefully selecting the color, and avoiding a shiny surface, a flatted or dull finish being preferable.
We have a great variety of wood to choose from, if not limited in expense, but “hard woods,” such as cherry, oak, mahogany, etc., not only are expensive in themselves, but require more labor. Ash is the cheapest of them. If some of the patent “fillers” are used, an excellent surface may be given to the wood, but these require to be finished with shellac, and carefully rubbed down. For cheap work, two coats of boiled oil may be used; or, if a polished surface is desired, varnish may be substituted.
Our fire-places may be of brick laid in red mortar, with wooden shelves, and perhaps lightly framed with wood. Tiles are appropriate for facings and hearth, as they are not affected by the heat. Let our windows be large and extend well up to the ceiling. Have window-seats if we can, and dispense with interior doors as much as possible. A curtain of some soft material (it need not be expensive) will look better than a six-panel door, and it may be pushed to one side, while the door is irrepressible. Let us make our hall a bright, cheerful apartment, that may aid us to “welcome the coming, speed the parting, guest.”