DOI article:
Thorpe, Hall: On colour in the cottage
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41874#0078
ON COLOUR IN THE COTTAGE
disappointing as the cottages, although very instructive when considered
in relation to its evident influence upon them. Here again were the same
unsightly wallpapers, much larger in pattern and more expensive than in
the cottages, but equally disastrous to the handsome rooms, with their fine
bow-windows and lovely outlook. Here also were the family portraits,
larger and more aggressive—all painted in oils. “ Ancestor-worship ” and
the accumulation of incongruous heirlooms raised a stubborn barrier
against any effort toward modern decoration. It had been the habit of this
large and much-travelled family, after killing and collecting in foreign
lands, to make the old manor-house the dumping-ground for their sou-
venirs and spoil. And as all these articles expressed in some way the life,
thought, and ethics of the people who made them—the result was a terrible
scene of confusion. Japanese curios and cabinets, with finicking inlay, vied
with Indian tables and trays and their tedious carving. These and others
were sprinkled through the rooms, preventing much of the fine old Eng-
lish furniture from being seen and appreciated. In the hall large heads of
big game asserted themselves above the feeble efforts of potpourri, and
the deadly weapons of civilization and savagery on the walls gave poor
welcome to the “ coming guest.”
What seemed most needed in this house, as in the cottages, was a har-
monizing colour-scheme or constructive idea that would bring the carpets,
chintzes, and wallpapers into pleasant relation with each other. In this
case, which is typical of conditions that exist in most English villages, it will
be seen how much any improvement in this direction is dependent upon
example. There is no doubt that if better taste were displayed in the
houses of the more educated classes it would soon be reflected in the homes
of the labourer and artisan.
That the labourer’s cottage can be made a thing of great beauty within, as
well as without, I was able to see demonstrated by a visit to one that had
been acquired by two ladies who were possessed of good taste, and who had
transformed it throughout with their own ideas as to how it should be
done. The result was most satisfying, and gave an excellent illustration of
what was possible with very little outlay of effort and at a cost well within
the means of the former occupants. In carrying out their ideas, the first
step was to consider the house as a whole and plan out the best colour-
scheme for each room, and the broad lines upon which to work. In a
general way they decided to have no patterned wallpapers, except in the
passage, and to keep the walls a quiet colour that would be a good back-
ground for pictures, allowing the pictures, pottery, and fabrics to supply
bright and cheerful colour to the room. They had learned by experience
that a bright effect in a room is not obtained by piling in a lot of colour,
but in a wise proportion and juxtaposition of tones, the combination of a
66
disappointing as the cottages, although very instructive when considered
in relation to its evident influence upon them. Here again were the same
unsightly wallpapers, much larger in pattern and more expensive than in
the cottages, but equally disastrous to the handsome rooms, with their fine
bow-windows and lovely outlook. Here also were the family portraits,
larger and more aggressive—all painted in oils. “ Ancestor-worship ” and
the accumulation of incongruous heirlooms raised a stubborn barrier
against any effort toward modern decoration. It had been the habit of this
large and much-travelled family, after killing and collecting in foreign
lands, to make the old manor-house the dumping-ground for their sou-
venirs and spoil. And as all these articles expressed in some way the life,
thought, and ethics of the people who made them—the result was a terrible
scene of confusion. Japanese curios and cabinets, with finicking inlay, vied
with Indian tables and trays and their tedious carving. These and others
were sprinkled through the rooms, preventing much of the fine old Eng-
lish furniture from being seen and appreciated. In the hall large heads of
big game asserted themselves above the feeble efforts of potpourri, and
the deadly weapons of civilization and savagery on the walls gave poor
welcome to the “ coming guest.”
What seemed most needed in this house, as in the cottages, was a har-
monizing colour-scheme or constructive idea that would bring the carpets,
chintzes, and wallpapers into pleasant relation with each other. In this
case, which is typical of conditions that exist in most English villages, it will
be seen how much any improvement in this direction is dependent upon
example. There is no doubt that if better taste were displayed in the
houses of the more educated classes it would soon be reflected in the homes
of the labourer and artisan.
That the labourer’s cottage can be made a thing of great beauty within, as
well as without, I was able to see demonstrated by a visit to one that had
been acquired by two ladies who were possessed of good taste, and who had
transformed it throughout with their own ideas as to how it should be
done. The result was most satisfying, and gave an excellent illustration of
what was possible with very little outlay of effort and at a cost well within
the means of the former occupants. In carrying out their ideas, the first
step was to consider the house as a whole and plan out the best colour-
scheme for each room, and the broad lines upon which to work. In a
general way they decided to have no patterned wallpapers, except in the
passage, and to keep the walls a quiet colour that would be a good back-
ground for pictures, allowing the pictures, pottery, and fabrics to supply
bright and cheerful colour to the room. They had learned by experience
that a bright effect in a room is not obtained by piling in a lot of colour,
but in a wise proportion and juxtaposition of tones, the combination of a
66