A manual of home-making

A figured wall-paper may be used as a frieze in a large room. Such a frieze is generally more effective tlian one of the stock border patterns, and is more easily adapted in width to varied requirements. A figui-etl frieze is often a decorative finisii above a high paneled wainscot, A border of unobtrusive pattern and color may serve on oc- casion to define an edg^e or emphasize a direction. But the idea that every room must have a border because fasMon so decrees is absurd and unreasonable. Festoons of llowei^ and conspicu- ous ornament of any sort that tend to draw the eyes uf)ward unpleasantly is out of place. In rooms of ordinary height, borders should generally be omitted. The}^ are the ofTspring of the traditional cornice whose original office was to make the division between ceiling and side wall. A picture-molding placed at this intersection is an excellent finish in a low room or one of ordinary height. If the room is too high, the ceil- ing color may be brought down on the side wall and the picture-molding placed at the intersection of ceiling and wall colors. Hangings for windows and doors (Figs. 19-23) Hangings are useful to temper the light, to obstruct an un- pleasing view, to preserve privacy, and to furnish a decora- tive efTect. Door draperies are iiseil for the temporary separa- tion of rooms or for tlecorative ofTect. The types of window hangings are shades, curtains^ and val- ances- The purpose of a shade is to regulate light and to secure privacy; therefore, a shade should always l>e opaque. A glare of color in a room through a shade of intense hue is sometimes more tr>'ing than a flood of sunshine* Shades, being next to the window, affect the exterior color scheme of tlie house and should be chosen with this in mind. Shades need not on that account be at variance with the interior coloring of the house, for a neutral tone may be chosen that will not violate any color Fio. 19.^ — A nit'thud oi Imugiii^ two »«?U oi vxiriuiuA in recesaM windows HOME FURNISHING 57 scheme, or double-faced shades may be used. These are only a little more expensive and may, if necessary, be colored to order. In buyinj^ for a pennanent home, it is economy to selei-t shades of a good quality. Shades should be hung inside the trim as near the glass as possible without interfering with the operation of the window. If this is not possibloi the shatles should be himp; near the inner edge of the easing or window trim, Shatles may be hung so as to pull up from the IjoHom insteail of down from the top. Thei*e are also fixtures which make it possible to adjust the shade so that it may cover any portion of the window at any time. These adjust-able shades are particularly desirable for schoolroom win- dows exposed to direct sunlight for a large part of the day, for kitehen windows on the south side of the house, and for windows in any sunny workroom. Besides shades and 1 ilinds that shut out the light, the windows of most rooms need drajK^ies to soften the hard lines of glass and wood, to temper the light, to veil a view, to complete t!ie background of the room, and to add a decorative note in color or pattern.