At this stage the pupils will have become acquainted with
the method of reasoning, and the subject of the next lesson
may be given out. This means that students are expected
to give some thought to the matter and to make all possible
observations and bring suggestions to class.
TOPIC III
The First Floor Suite
The Hall
Satisfy yourself that the pupils have a clear mental pic-
ture of the space under consideration.
Matters to be Considered.
Discussion. — 1. The purposes of the hall and of each of
the adjoining rooms — say there are two.
2. What common sense dictates as to the furnishing of
these rooms. What limitations are imposed upon us by the
fact that these three rooms open upon each other.
3. The treatment of the floor, the walls, the ceiling.
4. The movable furnishings.
Conclusions. — The needs and preferences of the family
must determine the purposes to which these or any other
rooms are to be put.
Builders seem to have intended the hall for a sort of
living room, as they have given us a chimney place in it ;
but there can be no privacy for the family in a passageway,
which this really is — so we had better decide to furnish it
as a hall.
Like the vestibule, the hall serves to give some intimation
of the general tone of refinement, or the lack of it, that one
may look for in the occupants of the house. It is less formal
THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL 11
than the vestibule, as it shuts out the gaze of tlie workl ; but
it is still outside of the real life of the home. Therefore,
while it may be made quite bright, or even gay in tone, it
must yet be somewhat formal. The room opening off to the
front of the house may be taken for a living room ; that on
the other side, for a dining room.
We have a rather difficult problem — three rooms each
having different uses yet coming together almost as one
room. The use, the light, the woodwork, must all be con-
sidered in furnishing.
The Function of Floor and Walls in Decoration. — It is
most important to secure harmony of effect in the color
scheme. For this we must begin with the floors and the
walls. These are the background for the furniture, and no
matter how fine or beautiful our movables may be, the
effect of all may be ruined by a bad arrangement of color
in the background. With the color scheme right, however,
the simplest and most inexpensive of furnishings may
present a charming effect.
The floors then should be of uniform color throughout —
if of good hard lumber and well laid, they may be left in the
natural color, treated with oil or paraflin, and kept rubbed
smooth and shining. Even rather inferior floors may be filled
and stained and then treated in a way suitable to the wood.
(Samples of different woods should be shown the pupils,
and directions given for the treatment suitable to each.)
Suggestions for Furnishing.
The Floors. — Rugs suited to the purposes of each room
should be used. If Turkish rugs in rich, soft colors are too
expensive, there are excellent Japanese and domestic rugs
at lower prices. Rugs made of lengths of Brussels carpet
are pretty and durable. In making a selection give first
thought to the color. Avoid violent contrasts and figures
that stand out obtrusively.
12 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
Page 9
Presented as published in 1900. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
At this stage the pupils will have become acquainted with the method of reasoning, and the subject of the next lesson may be given out. This means that students are expected to give some thought to the matter and to make all possible observations and bring suggestions to class.
TOPIC III
The First Floor Suite
The Hall
Satisfy yourself that the pupils have a clear mental picture of the space under consideration.
Matters to be Considered.
Discussion. — 1. The purposes of the hall and of each of the adjoining rooms — say there are two.
2. What common sense dictates as to the furnishing of these rooms. What limitations are imposed upon us by the fact that these three rooms open upon each other.
3. The treatment of the floor, the walls, the ceiling.
4. The movable furnishings.
Conclusions. — The needs and preferences of the family must determine the purposes to which these or any other rooms are to be put.
Builders seem to have intended the hall for a sort of living room, as they have given us a chimney place in it ; but there can be no privacy for the family in a passageway, which this really is — so we had better decide to furnish it as a hall.
Like the vestibule, the hall serves to give some intimation of the general tone of refinement, or the lack of it, that one may look for in the occupants of the house. It is less formal
than the vestibule, as it shuts out the gaze of the world ; but it is still outside of the real life of the home. Therefore, while it may be made quite bright, or even gay in tone, it must yet be somewhat formal. The room opening off to the front of the house may be taken for a living room ; that on the other side, for a dining room.
We have a rather difficult problem — three rooms each having different uses yet coming together almost as one room. The use, the light, the woodwork, must all be considered in furnishing.
The Function of Floor and Walls in Decoration. — It is most important to secure harmony of effect in the color scheme. For this we must begin with the floors and the walls. These are the background for the furniture, and no matter how fine or beautiful our movables may be, the effect of all may be ruined by a bad arrangement of color in the background. With the color scheme right, however, the simplest and most inexpensive of furnishings may present a charming effect.
The floors then should be of uniform color throughout — if of good hard lumber and well laid, they may be left in the natural color, treated with oil or paraflin, and kept rubbed smooth and shining. Even rather inferior floors may be filled and stained and then treated in a way suitable to the wood.
(Samples of different woods should be shown the pupils, and directions given for the treatment suitable to each.)
Suggestions for Furnishing.
The Floors. — Rugs suited to the purposes of each room should be used. If Turkish rugs in rich, soft colors are too expensive, there are excellent Japanese and domestic rugs at lower prices. Rugs made of lengths of Brussels carpet are pretty and durable. In making a selection give first thought to the color. Avoid violent contrasts and figures that stand out obtrusively.