The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Theory Of Decoration
1. Unquestionably the character of the room, as has been stated before, is the most important consideration. The decision in this matter will depend somewhat upon the fixed architectural or finishing features to be retained and also partially upon the financial limitations. Under this heading we must consider the purpose of the room: age, sex, general character and individual preferences of the owners or occupants; the degree of formality or informality to be expressed; whether the room is to be of temporary, permanent, or occasional use; and the amount of daylight or sunlight entering it.
The decision made as to character will aid in the selection of the type of furniture and wall treatment, whether it is in general to be heavy, light, or medium, whether the textures of furniture, wall treatment, and textiles are going to be coarse or delicate; whether the designs are going to be refined and sophisticated or crude and peasant-like; whether the color scheme is going to be composed of brilliant or neutral tones, of light or dark values, and of strong or weak contrasts; and finally the character will decide the actual colors themselves, with a careful consideration of the contrasting areas of plain and patterned surfaces. Here too must come the selection of style or period. Shall there be a distinct historic feeling in the room or shall it be of mixed styles or shall there be a partial or distinct modern tendency?
The selection of a definite period style to use in a room today very largely depends on the character that the decorator wishes to express. The English periods, particularly the early ones, appear rather more masculine than the French ones, except the Louis XIV, which is certainly masculine with great splendor and magnificence added. The Eighteenth century periods of all countries seem more suitable for the small homes and apartment rooms that are found today. The early Italian and Spanish styles require for their best expression large rooms and high ceilings and preferably a warm climate. They belong to the vigorous formal group. The modern styles express the owner's desire for sophistication and novelty and for being considered up-todate in every respect. They run to extremes of great simplicity in subdued forms and tones to fantastic compositions with strong colors and large patterns. They seem to cover a range that should suit anyone's taste and it is hard to say as yet that there is any one definite trend, so many are the ramifications and varieties of treatment.
2. The general character of the room will also be much affected by the cost allowance. If there is no limit as to the amount to be expended, the decorator will of course proceed to plan within reason, guiding himself primarily upon aesthetic considerations; but if expenses are limited, there should be a tentative budget made, proportioning the funds into divisions for expenditure on walls, furniture, floor, draperies, etc.
