DOI article:
Wainwright, Shirley B.: On the decoration & furnishing of small rooms
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41870#0034
ON THE DECORATION AND FURNISHING OF SMALL ROOMS
SUGGESTION FOR INEXPENSIVE TREATMENT OF A BEDROOM (PAGES 12 AND 13)
design, the ordinary commercial electric fitting, with opal shade, provides
quite a good groundwork. Note the example in the illustration on the
opposite page. Much might be done also with inexpensive wooden fittings,
either plain or decorated, on the lines of the one shown on page 7. The
various methods and devices for artificial illumination might well be con-
sidered at some length if space permitted, but the limitations of this article
preclude more than a passing reference to a most important subject.
Finally, for the more enterprising there are considerable possibili ties in the
conversion of old furniture, which by reason of ugly detail or bad propor-
tions may appear hopeless. Sometimes offensive ornament may becutaway
or unpleasant wood hidden under a coat of paint, and the results of such
operations are often surprisingly good. Possibilities in this direction are
best illustrated, perhaps,by an actual example which has been brought to
the writer’s notice. The wardrobe illustrated at the top of page 16 was
originally a “ Curtain Road ” production of the worst type, made in
“satinwalnut,” a most unattractive wood. It was adorned with machine
carved panels, more dreadful than the drawing would lead one to suppose,
and the panels had meaningless lines scratched on them. A narrow mir-
ror occupied the place of honour in the centre door, and the illustration
testifies to the hopelessness of the general proportions. Thisdubious piece
of furniture was taken in hand by the good lady into whose possession it
came and she proceeded to see what could be made of it. She first removed
the pediment and cut away half the cornice with a saw, reversing what
22
SUGGESTION FOR INEXPENSIVE TREATMENT OF A BEDROOM (PAGES 12 AND 13)
design, the ordinary commercial electric fitting, with opal shade, provides
quite a good groundwork. Note the example in the illustration on the
opposite page. Much might be done also with inexpensive wooden fittings,
either plain or decorated, on the lines of the one shown on page 7. The
various methods and devices for artificial illumination might well be con-
sidered at some length if space permitted, but the limitations of this article
preclude more than a passing reference to a most important subject.
Finally, for the more enterprising there are considerable possibili ties in the
conversion of old furniture, which by reason of ugly detail or bad propor-
tions may appear hopeless. Sometimes offensive ornament may becutaway
or unpleasant wood hidden under a coat of paint, and the results of such
operations are often surprisingly good. Possibilities in this direction are
best illustrated, perhaps,by an actual example which has been brought to
the writer’s notice. The wardrobe illustrated at the top of page 16 was
originally a “ Curtain Road ” production of the worst type, made in
“satinwalnut,” a most unattractive wood. It was adorned with machine
carved panels, more dreadful than the drawing would lead one to suppose,
and the panels had meaningless lines scratched on them. A narrow mir-
ror occupied the place of honour in the centre door, and the illustration
testifies to the hopelessness of the general proportions. Thisdubious piece
of furniture was taken in hand by the good lady into whose possession it
came and she proceeded to see what could be made of it. She first removed
the pediment and cut away half the cornice with a saw, reversing what
22