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.”