DOI Heft:
Nr. 340 (September 1925)
DOI Artikel:Ott, Horace Wesley: Synthetic decoration
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19985#0426
inceRnAcionAL
LIVING ROOM IN A NEW YORK APARTMENT Photo by Amemiya
The desk and side chair are Italian of the eight- others are those who regret that we have not
eenth century. broken with the past more completely, those who
The final photograph continues the interesting would make no compromise whatsoever with
story. The love seat of the Queen Anne type is in antiquity. To these we may suggest that even a
a dusty walnut finish with an especially fine, superficial knowledge of the past reveals the fact
carved stretcher. The covering, a two-ply fabric that decoration always has been and doubtless
with a tan ground figured in rose and blue, has a always will be a form of plagiarism, that even the
delightful habit of crumpling with usage, which, most hallowed names quite frankly and obviously
strange to say, is decidedly a point in its favor, admit their indebtedness to gifted predecessors.
The armchair, also Louis XV "with a difference," The composite interior, then, stands as evi-
is covered in golden brown velvet. The two tables dence that we have cast the period conception of
are old pieces from Spain, and the Dante chair an decoration into the discard. Its significance is not
original brought over by the owners. As in the completely accounted for by the increase in per-
dining room, the wall is painted and glazed an old sonality, interest and individuality, welcome as
ivory. The window is hung with ecru-colored silk they are, which our interiors now possess. Far
gauze, and the drapes are self-toned rose damask more important is the alteration in the specific
similar to the fabric on the sofa. furniture forms which go to make up such an
There will be two classes of individuals to interior, forms reflecting past triumphs in cabi-
whom the present trend in decoration will doubt- netry, yet revealing something encouragingly new
less be anathema. We have mentioned the first, in artistic creativeness. All this could only have
those who resent even the slightest liberty being come about by our reawakened confidence in our
taken with antique models. There is little to be ability to judge for ourselves, as witnessed in the
said to these sticklers after precedent; lor them many-period room. Herein lies the promise of the
creative genius died with Duncan Phyfe, and it is composite interior.
obviously futile to proclaim the dead alive. The Photographs courtesy oj New York Galleries
Jour twenty-six
SEPTEMBER I I) 2 5
LIVING ROOM IN A NEW YORK APARTMENT Photo by Amemiya
The desk and side chair are Italian of the eight- others are those who regret that we have not
eenth century. broken with the past more completely, those who
The final photograph continues the interesting would make no compromise whatsoever with
story. The love seat of the Queen Anne type is in antiquity. To these we may suggest that even a
a dusty walnut finish with an especially fine, superficial knowledge of the past reveals the fact
carved stretcher. The covering, a two-ply fabric that decoration always has been and doubtless
with a tan ground figured in rose and blue, has a always will be a form of plagiarism, that even the
delightful habit of crumpling with usage, which, most hallowed names quite frankly and obviously
strange to say, is decidedly a point in its favor, admit their indebtedness to gifted predecessors.
The armchair, also Louis XV "with a difference," The composite interior, then, stands as evi-
is covered in golden brown velvet. The two tables dence that we have cast the period conception of
are old pieces from Spain, and the Dante chair an decoration into the discard. Its significance is not
original brought over by the owners. As in the completely accounted for by the increase in per-
dining room, the wall is painted and glazed an old sonality, interest and individuality, welcome as
ivory. The window is hung with ecru-colored silk they are, which our interiors now possess. Far
gauze, and the drapes are self-toned rose damask more important is the alteration in the specific
similar to the fabric on the sofa. furniture forms which go to make up such an
There will be two classes of individuals to interior, forms reflecting past triumphs in cabi-
whom the present trend in decoration will doubt- netry, yet revealing something encouragingly new
less be anathema. We have mentioned the first, in artistic creativeness. All this could only have
those who resent even the slightest liberty being come about by our reawakened confidence in our
taken with antique models. There is little to be ability to judge for ourselves, as witnessed in the
said to these sticklers after precedent; lor them many-period room. Herein lies the promise of the
creative genius died with Duncan Phyfe, and it is composite interior.
obviously futile to proclaim the dead alive. The Photographs courtesy oj New York Galleries
Jour twenty-six
SEPTEMBER I I) 2 5