Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/369

 FURNITURE FOR COTTAGE DWELLINGS. 345 a picture, tlic colours of the carjiet and of tlio walls will t'orm the principal masses in the composition, nnil will necessarily influence every other component part. If the floor and the walls were of the same colour, there would be a deficiency of force and of effect, from want of contrast ; if they were of different colours, equally attracting the eye, the ett'ect produced would not be that of a whole; because a whole is the result of the cooperation of different subordinate parts with one principal pait. The harmony of the colouring of a room, therefore, can only be produced by the same kind of knowledge w hich guides an artist in painting a picture. The principles of the art of painting supply the prin- ciples for the art of distributing colours in furnishing; but, as tliis art cannot all at once be communicated to the reader, all that we shall attempt, at present, is, to supply him with a few hints, drawn from the usual practice of upholsterers. These are, that neither the colours of the carpet should be so brilliant as to destroy the effect of those of the pa[>er, nor the contrary; and that the curtains should always be of a colour suitable to both. It is not necessary that they should be of the same colour, but that they should be of colours that harmonise, or, in other w ords, look well together. A very brilliant colour, such as crimson, in the carpet, may have a drab or other subdued colour in the curtiuns and paper; but then there should be some of the brilliant colour "introduced in both, as bordering or ornaments. Thu?, a room with a bright blue or crimson carpet may have white, yellow, or drab, curtains and paper ; but blue or crimson bordering or ornaments should be introduced in them, to harmonise the effect. It would not do, in the case of the blue carpet, to have green curtains or paper, or with the crimson to have scarlet ; because these colours do not accord. A green carpet may have black, red, or white curtains, with green borders and ornaments. A yellow carpet may have black curtains, and a dark grey paper with yellow borders and ornaments. Whatever will apply to a self-coloured carpet, curtains, or paper, will apply equally well in all cases where those colours predominate. It should never be forgotten, that the whole effect of an elegantly furnished room may be destroyed by the selection of a carpet which, though handsome in itself, does not harmonise with the other furniture. 683. Geographical Carpets. The idea of a geographical carpet, that is, a caqiet with the lines of a map substituted for a regular pattern, has been suggested {Meek- Mag., vol. xii. p. 21.); and we agree with the author of the suggestion in thinking that "a carpet is so admirably adapted to geographical instruction, that it may be almost said to be a natural article for the purpose. A map is a picture of the surface of the earth, and on the ground is the place to view it. One on so large a scale as a carpet would admit, is calculated to give a more correct idea of the relative position of places than could be effected by the largest map now extant. A family in the daily occupation of a i-oom furnished with such a carpet, woidd acquire unavoidably a more permanent knowledge of a given portion of the earth than could be obtained by any other means ; and, w hen the local position of the room would atlmif, the carpet might be placed agreeably to the bearings of the compass, and it would thereby give a correct idea of the real direction of places on the map." The principal objection to this plan seems to be, the great difficulty which would attend its execution. A map, such as above described, might, however, be printed on fine cloth, or brown holland linen, and might then serve as a cover to a carpet. This would be particularly suitable for a school-room or nursery. 684. Substitutes for Carpets. Green baize and drugget are often used as substitutes for carpets, and are not only cheap, but in many cases look remarkably well. When a driib drugget is used, a border of black or any dai'k-coloured cloth, laid on about two inches from the margin, has a very good effect. Cheap carpets may be made by industrious housewives of a kind of patchwork. Remnants of cloth bought from the woollen- draper, or tailor, and cut into any kind of geometrical shapes, may be sewed together, so as to form circles, stars, or any other regular figures that may be desired ; and, when arranged with taste, produce a very handsome and durable carpet, at a very trifling expense. The figures, of whatever nature they may be, should be always symmetrical ; and a handsome border should invariably surround the whole, so as to preserve the idea of unity of design ; care should also be taken that the colours employed harmonise, not only with each other, but, as before advised, with those of the other furniture of the room. 685. Paper Carpets are formed by cutting out and sewing together pieces of linen, cot- ton, Scotch gauze, canvass, or any similar material, &c., to the size and form required ; then stretcliing the prepared cloth on the floor of a large room, and carefully pasting it round the margins so as to keep it strained tight. If cotton be the material, it will require to be previously wetted. When the cloth thus fixed is dry, lay on it two or more coats of strong paper, breaking joint, and finish with coloured or hanging paper, according to fancy. Centre or corner pieces, cut out of remnants of papers, which may be bought for a mere trifle, may be laid on a self-coloured ground, and the whole surrounded by a border ; or any other method adopted which may suit the taste or circumstances of the N N