MODEL SITTING-ROOMS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 167, 24 November 1883, Page 8

MODEL SITTING-ROOMS.

A home should be in some sort a shell'or covering to protect the personality and individuality^ of the inmates. It should be an outgrowth of the lives and characters of the people it contains. Any attempt to graft on the views, ideas,, and originations of another, mars the harmoaff of the original thought, and makes a miserable-hotch-potch of the whole. The chief attractionof the home lies in those little shades of dissimilarity which invest it with ; the bharm of personality. The brightest gleam of common sensein modern days is that which has abrogated theold - fashioned parlour. The haircloth and

Brussels horror, of a stereotype jjattern, which.' was the pride of our grandmothers'!hearts, is nomore. In its stead we hare rooms which sunlight and air do not fear to invade — rooms madeI to live in, not merely to look at j furnished, ifc ( may be, with less sumptuousness, but with moreregard for the comfort and well-being of the family. People are beginning to learn that the life is more than the house ; health and happiness more than costly furniture. ■ But in thepresent mad worship for ceramic art and fanciful bric-a-brac there is danger that the one room ia. the house, which has always been indicative of the real status of the family, shall lose its individuality, and become a mere repetition of each and every other house in the street or neighbourhood. Each woman's ideal of the room in which her family spend most of their homejlife should be an outgrowth of her own nature,%nd not borrowed from another. It is among the middle classes — those who are neither hindered by poverty nor tempted by extravagant display — that we find the most intensely personal typesTake the following examples : — < No. 1. — The room ia large, and low. An arafed; alcove on one side, anijpmmense bay window extending nearly across another side, adding tothe original spacious proportions. The one large window in the centre of the alcove is; draped ia white ; a graceful lambrequin, of some thick,, rich cloth, in dark green, drooping abovjft Afc the right of the window stands a small Cottagepiano, and a guitar is near by. Among the .pilesof music you will notice few of the m'ddera favourites. Quaint old ballads, growing, like rare wine, richer and sweeter with the, lapse of years j. gems of Scottish song ; a few selections from theGerman and Italian ; these are among the stores. It is the music of a generation thai has passed away. Can the new give us better? Across theprojecting angle of the bay window is. fashioned a miniature cabinet, with glass doors, reaching: from floor to ceiling. In the heterogeneous collection upon its shelves, are found some of the rarities dear to the scientist's heart, and, taken as a whole, the collection comprising more of the curious than the beautiful. The books which line the upper shelves are mostly works of reference, fragments of historical, mythologic^and scientific lore — books for use, not .show- *|^ong shelf to the right is filled with a complete set of " Chambers' Encyclopedia/ and among the daintybits of needle-work on the table;, -near by are scattered books, papers, and magazines. The great bay window has one distinctive feature* The ranks of plants which fill its' shelves and brackets are noticeable for their fragrance rather than mere beauty of form ahd'foKage. There are graceful clumps of callas ; a white^thicket of heliotrope, permeated with honeyed sweetness^ ranks of odorous hyacinths and pendant clustersof hoyas, delicate and fragrant enough to grace a fairy bridal. The one notable non-odorous exception is a giant begonia rtiifd,' which clambers sturdily skyward amid the labyrinth of ivies, and droops its great, rosy, waxy blossoms , among the emerald leaves" The whole effect, of the,, window is that of a filmy, fragrant, green curtain, casting its soft, entrancing shade across the toodazzling brightness of the sunshine. ...The carpet is a pattern of pale fern leaves on, a grojimd of rich, golden brown, and sofas arid chairs are i upholstered in various harmonic shades' of brown, and green. A handsome wall-pocket is filled with pressed ferns, and a wreath of brilliant autumn leaves spans the arch. Among thepictures on the walls are portraits in oil and crayon ; an inspiring bit of mountain scenery ; and some fine engravings. Does the room' need any other interpreter to declare its dedication t<£ I pure living and high thinking ? ■$$ No. 2. — This apartment in consonance wijbhr' modern tastes and predictions is higher and ; lighter. There is no screen of waving leaves and j mesh of intricate vines to keep the sunlight in abeyance. The shades are drawn high, that the? I occiipant may revel in its glory, which is her life j and inspiration. It is the home of a poet, and the surroundings are suggestive. The window ,dra«pory is of a dark, rich, crimson, which is also the prevailing tint in carpet, soft and easy-chairs. A. low book-case filled with choicest gems of poesy ; vaguest dreams of philosophers ; the rarest treasures of fiction ; the most inspiring of biOgrap» [ hies, occupies ono side of the room. Abo.ye.is the bird of wisdom, perchod in taxidermic stafceon a carven bracket looks grimly down. Near the western window stands a woll-wortt Witings'esk. „^. whose faded covers speaks of constant, sse.T.-Bits ' i of Japanese work ; a panel picture of golden rod, and asters ; busts of Dickens jmcUfSumner, andl ' dainty plaques adorn the manfceL, Eaeb> picture that hangs from the wall ia itself a" poeniP'fts perfect as any the occupant has (Byer' t ! wi^i%g. t " .An ideal, sibyllic face, with .wqndrdii^ hAiiii|ing eye 3, half hidden in .soft, fleecy folds of white drapery,, looks out from its heavy fraind.- A of i apple-blossoms 1 in" water-colour^ ''yit;^ its.' com- ' panion-piece^astudyjnfeirns.and.lillie'a;; striking bits of landscape and the noble head ,qf the^Amej rfcart la-ureate ave'among the' treasure's, pn it's '.rwalls.. I Books are everywhere, The cases iave overflowed and the 'debris accumulates on tables, and shelves in a manner wholly; delightful', to* the intellectual and. schplastic \ 50u1.., . TJie -.room abounds with trifles, e'acla embodying in its^tiny bulk some artistic or • poetio ' tndiighfc ".,,,,. Ey^jHT article of virtu asserts itsright. to, be.^y its t'W intrinsic "worth and beauty. . It is no hap-hazara collection,. but the choice accumulation 1 of years of careful selection. Ther^'i? * n'Qi typrdiiov, VtT^e simply conii»Lpnpiace. , Tl\e room isia quiefy rest,ful haven j* and. in the luxurloUs^eafc-of/lts^asjr- • chairs one -may fprge^,' for 'i.;bHe| i; $ifery|^iFe Dusy7*esflessi ; tforim^ {To be continued.) : Ik • ..-,.- ''' •-. .■ •