Next is the important question, " Does this article do its work well, does it fulfill its promises? " A sewing machine should stitch well, a clock should keep good time, a chair should not only look like a chair, but shouM be strong enough to support whoever cares to sit in it. It^s shape and proportion should be just right to hold a himian being in comfortable sitting posture. Every part should be made with this idea in mind, for if it fails here, nothing can give it any real value as a chair. It may be costly or fashionable, it may be old enough to have historic interest, it may be a wedding gift, but if it is not good to sit in, it is a poor chair. The work which a thing has to do must never be second to any other purpose. There is one more important consideration. We enjoy beauty wherever we find it and cannot aflford to miss the pleasure it gives us. Hence the clock, the chair, and the sewing machine should each have every element of beauty possible to it. Now there are different ways in which a thing may be beautiful. There is dignity and strength in the straight, vertical lines of support in doors and windows, and quiet restfulness in the long horizontal lines of^ yainpcoting and moldings. Curtains in doors and windows should fit inside the frames and hang straight down to the sill as in the illustration. If ' tied back, they form a tent shape quite out of harmony with the oblong space they are supposed to cover. In a doorway the curtains should of course reach to the floor, but window curtains have no excuse for hanging below the sill, where their work of softening the light ceases. Oblique lines full of the excitement which belongs to action should be avoided in the placing of large things like rugs, Digitized by Google HOUSE FURNISHING 203 pianos, and bookcases. Chairs and small articles must needs be moved about to suit our convenience, but the pictures need not hang at angles with the wall by slanting cords or be arranged in oblique lines to keep the eye climbing needless stairs or sliding down fantastic terraces. Things that are supposed to be at rest should harmonize with the quiet lines of the house itself. Much could be said about beauty of curves and refinement of pro- portion. The circle is a perfect embodiment of the three essentials of good design, — harmony, balance, and rhythm. It appears at its best horizon- tally, as in mats, dishes, or designs for floors or ceilings. Long sweeping curves of strength, like the stems of goldenrod, are best for upright supports or decorations. On a vertical surface an oblong is more pleasing than a square. It is ob- vious that a door must be high enough for any one to walk through, but beyond this a few inches more or less may make it beautiful as well as useful. Given a choice, the most graceful proportions should be carefully sought. Only a few general hints can be given in regard to color. Dark colors suggest weight and are better to walk on than pink and pale blue, hence the lower part of a room should Digitized by Google 204 SECOND YEAR be darker than the upper walls and ceiling. If the wood work has any natural beauty of grain or color, it may be kept as the keynote in the color scheme of the room. White paint with dark paper makes the woodwork prominent, and if it is fine in structure and proportion, gives a desirable emphasis to the architecture of the room. Wall papers and floor cover- ings should be quiet backgrounds for people, pictures, and furnishings. Startling patterns and gay colors are out of place.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Next is the important question, " Does this article do its work well, does it fulfill its promises? " A sewing machine should stitch well, a clock should keep good time, a chair should not only look like a chair, but should be strong enough to support whoever cares to sit in it. Its shape and proportion should be just right to hold a himian being in comfortable sitting posture. Every part should be made with this idea in mind, for if it fails here, nothing can give it any real value as a chair. It may be costly or fashionable, it may be old enough to have historic interest, it may be a wedding gift, but if it is not good to sit in, it is a poor chair. The work which a thing has to do must never be second to any other purpose. There is one more important consideration. We enjoy beauty wherever we find it and cannot afford to miss the pleasure it gives us. Hence the clock, the chair, and the sewing machine should each have every element of beauty possible to it. Now there are different ways in which a thing may be beautiful. There is dignity and strength in the straight, vertical lines of support in doors and windows, and quiet restfulness in the long horizontal lines of wainscoting and moldings. Curtains in doors and windows should fit inside the frames and hang straight down to the sill as in the illustration. If ' tied back, they form a tent shape quite out of harmony with the oblong space they are supposed to cover. In a doorway the curtains should of course reach to the floor, but window curtains have no excuse for hanging below the sill, where their work of softening the light ceases. Oblique lines full of the excitement which belongs to action should be avoided in the placing of large things like rugs, Digitized by Google HOUSE FURNISHING 203 pianos, and bookcases. Chairs and small articles must needs be moved about to suit our convenience, but the pictures need not hang at angles with the wall by slanting cords or be arranged in oblique lines to keep the eye climbing needless stairs or sliding down fantastic terraces. Things that are supposed to be at rest should harmonize with the quiet lines of the house itself. Much could be said about beauty of curves and refinement of proportion. The circle is a perfect embodiment of the three essentials of good design, — harmony, balance, and rhythm. It appears at its best horizontally, as in mats, dishes, or designs for floors or ceilings. Long sweeping curves of strength, like the stems of goldenrod, are best for upright supports or decorations. On a vertical surface an oblong is more pleasing than a square. It is obvious that a door must be high enough for any one to walk through, but beyond this a few inches more or less may make it beautiful as well as useful. Given a choice, the most graceful proportions should be carefully sought. Only a few general hints can be given in regard to color. Dark colors suggest weight and are better to walk on than pink and pale blue, hence the lower part of a room should Digitized by Google be darker than the upper walls and ceiling. If the wood work has any natural beauty of grain or color, it may be kept as the keynote in the color scheme of the room. White paint with dark paper makes the woodwork prominent, and if it is fine in structure and proportion, gives a desirable emphasis to the architecture of the room. Wall papers and floor coverings should be quiet backgrounds for people, pictures, and furnishings. Startling patterns and gay colors are out of place.

Household science and arts