THE ART OF INTERIOR DECORATION
PLATE I
There is something unusually exquisite about this composition. You will discover at a glance perfect balance, repose—line, everywhere, yet with it infinite grace and a winning charm. One can imagine a tea tray brought in, a table placed and those two attractive chairs drawn together so that my lady and a friend may chat over the tea cups.
The mirror is an Italian Louis XVI.
The sconces, table and chairs, French.
The vases, Italian, all antiques.
A becoming mellow light comes through the shade of deep cream Italian parchment paper with Louis XVI decorations.
It should be said that the vases are Italian medicine jars—literally that. They were once used by the Italian chemists, for their drugs, and some are of astonishing workmanship and have great intrinsic value, as well as the added value of age and uniqueness.
The colour scheme is as attractive as the lines. The walls are grey, curtains of green and grey, antique taffeta being used, while the chairs have green silk on their seats and the table is of green and faded gold. The green used is a wonderfully beautiful shade.
THE ART OF INTERIOR
DECORATION
BY
GRACE WOOD
AND
EMILY BURBANK
ILLUSTRATED
NEW YORK
DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY
1917
TO
A.M.M.
At the age of eighty, an inspiration to all who meet her, because sheis the embodiment of what this book stands for; namely, fidelity tothe principles of Classic Art and watchfulness for the vital new notestruck in the cause of the Beautiful.
FOREWORD
If you would have your rooms interesting as well as beautiful, makethem say something, give them a spinal column by keeping allornamentation subservient to line.
Before you buy anything, try to imagine how you want each room to lookwhen completed; get the picture well in your mind, as a painter would;think out the main features, for the details all depend upon these andwill quickly suggest themselves. This is, in the long run, thequickest and the most economical method of furnishing.
There is a theory that no room can be created all at once, that itmust grow gradually. In a sense this is a fact, so far as it refers tothe amateur. The professional is always occupied with creating andrecreating rooms and can instantly summon to mind complete schemes ofdecoration. The amateur can also learn to mentally furnish rooms. Itis a fascinating pastime when one gets the knack of it.
Beautiful things can be obtained anywhere and for the minimum price,if one has a feeling for line and colour, or for either. If the loverof the beautiful was not born with this art instinct, it may bequickly acquired. A decorator creates or rearrang