Evening Star Newspaper, June 26, 1926, Page 16

REAL VOGUE FOLLOWS VOGUE IN QUEST FOR THE PERFECT INSIDE WALL T:ansition of Gaudy Paper Is Shown—Lovely Pine Panels of Our Forefathers Recalled. Y GENEVIEVE HENDRICKS. ‘Wall decorations have their fads -1 fancies as much as women's hats ¢ men's neckties. In fact, ever - nee stone walls gave way to hand- tvweled plaster and paneled wood fat plaster, one vogue has fol- ! .ved another in the search for .the e -fect wall. Here in America the lovely paneled vlls of pine used by our forefathers, vore supplanted by carefully drawn #d beautifully colored wall papers. These were and still are a joy to bohold. But as labor became more .nensive and as a desire for speed n manufacture became more im- rtant than careful drawing and ning, papers became worse and o until early in this century the jority of papers put on walls of * homes were bad In color, heavy i+ design, tiring to the eve, and in #'most every way undesirable. Who of us cannot remember the goblins and demons that jumped out at us from the glaring papers of 20 years ago? Public Taste Revolted. Luckily papers became so bad that public taste revolted and a violent re- action set in. It was no longer “the thing to do” to have satin papers or those heavy with gilt in our rooms. Nothing but plain tan walls with white or cream woodwork would do. While these plain walls were a thousandfold better than the gaudily napered ones preceding them, they in their turn have been “done to death.” By far the great majority of homes have been treated in this way for 10 years, so that one home has come to look like the mext and a few have shown any originality in the alldm- portant matter of background. One very bad practice has been adoptea lately by many who have felt these plain walls to be uninteresting. Tn a misguided attempt to make their walls “different” they have used borders around the cellings and some- times around the windows and doors. Some have even gone so far as to use these borders at the top of the baseboard as well. These borders have no reason for being, and cer- tainly add nothing to the appearance of the room. In fact, they very greatly detract from the beauty of the room inasmuch as they cut up the wall spaces and make unneces- sary breaks In the background. Pulling Ceiling Down. Borders used at the ceiling call attention to the top of the room and give the effect of pulling the ceiling down closer to the floor. In this day and age when ceilings are only moderately high, we can ill afford to | shorten the apparent height of our rooms. Moldings beautifully proportioned and carved have been used in good architectural schemes for centuries. These moldings were first used as a visible means of support, and today while not necessary, at least give a feeling of there having been some reason for them. The borders of wild flowers and blue birds that mar the walls of so many houses today have no reason whatsoever for their use. They could support nothing, nor could they even give the feeling of support. Their e_may be that carele "~ Just Completed 2 Suburban Homes They Are “Wilkinson Built” —on large lots selected for size (3 acre each). and location clusively residential.) Just minutes’ ride to center of Wash ington. Convenlent to schools, churches, stores and bus lines. One is located at 736 Silver Spring Avenue. The other at 801, cor. Easley and Grove Streets. Both in Silver Spring, Md. City water, sewerage, tricity. § large rooms, sleeping porch, breakfast pantry, attic ov all, high pitched for extra rooms: large front porch, garage, large cel- lar, heating plant, open fire- place, etc.. ete. Moderate in price. Cash payment adjusted to suit pur- chaser. Monthly payments less than rent. Both open. Inspection invited. For Sale by W. B. Wilkinson a1 sutes Reen ki ver one: Woodelds 1 elec- bath, room, Ave. "|and carved and has some unusual Silver Spring, ESTATE. hangers delight to cover up the un- even ends of thelr papers with these borders. Why people should wish to “gild the lily” and go to unnecessary ex- pense and trouble in this way Is hard to understand. New Reaction Sets I From this conservative tan wall and white woodwork treatment there is beginning to be another and a very satisfactory reaction. More and more people are following the deco- rators, and more daring few who dis- carded the tan and white, and follow- Ing good Colonial and Georgian pre- cedents, covered their walls and woodwork in the same shade of soft Adam green, Robin's egg blue, or canary yellow in the living rooms, and soft yellow pinks and pale greens and blues in the bedrooms. ‘Where the white woodwork or even more so its predecessor of stained oak trim cut up the wall surfaces and called attention to doors and dows and other architectural nece: ties, this one-color treatment gives unbroken spaces and a sense of ap- parent increased size. The wall be- ing a background should be kept as such and nothing should allow it to demand the ocular attention that the furnishings and occupants of the room should have. Woodwork of a color different from that of the wall very naturally calls attention to it self. Unless it is beautifully molded merit, as in lovely old Colonial houses it has no right to be this important. Gaudy Designs Gone. The oatmeal paper so supreme dur- ing these last 10 or 15 years has its competitors now in the lovely stippled papers and the stippled painted walls. And the many very excellent cold- water paints now to be had in beauti- ful pastel shades made a reasonable substitute for those who cannot afford the more expensive though more durable ofl-painted walls. ‘Wallpaper, so long in disfavor is again being used. But not in the gaudy designs of two decades ago. Again, the careful, painstaking work of colonlal craftsmen is earning well deserved appreciation. Old papers found in the finest homes of a century or more ago have been reproduced and are now procurable at prices within the reach of any of us inter- ested in medium-priced and artistic homes. Wallpapers in scenic effects—not the THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C. have to contend with—beautifully drawn and as beautifully colored, are ours to bring interest and color to our walls, as well as to our dining rooms, where pictures, books and other deco- rations are not generally used. It is amazing the way a well designed scenic paper will give a sense of in- creased space and distance to small rooms. A poorly planned paper, on the other hand, will block up the walls and make it seem as though they were falling in upon the room. Great care must be made in the selec- tion of such papers, for the all-impor- tant matter of repeat in the design will either give this desired sense of space or kill it entirely. Quaint Old Papers for Bedroom:s. For the bedrooms there are also coples of quaint old papers, soft in color and well drawn and designed. Many of these have charming little bouquets of flowers, while others have small colored dots or small geometric figures on white or cream back- grounds to give a daintily colored wall, The greatest care should be taken in selecting flowered or figured papers for the bedrooms, however. Since the bedroom is primarily a place for rest, nothing should be put on the walls or used in the room that would in any way interfere with this function. Papers with heavy colors and large designs are unrestful, stimulating the eve to jump from spot to spot and color to color. Aside from decorators and architects, few people realize the. variety of effects possible in walls of plaster. This medium is planned off in the majority of homes as a basis for paint or for wall paper. Plaster walls cannot be used indiscriminately for in their different forms they very definitely suggest certain types of houses. To finish the wall with a smooth finish divided into panels by means obtained now through a recent manufacture whereby large sheets of builder's board are covered with the plaster. These sheets are easily fas- tened to the wall where they can be painted or calcimined or sponged to give the desired effect that will disturb this sense of repose. Who of us can- not remeember counting the spots in the wallpaper as we have lain con valescent or waking from sleep. Pa- pers with small well planned designs and soft colors will not disturb the eye or crash in upon one's sensibilities. Moldings are a conservative and of effective method. This can well be used in houses of conservative French styles or homes frankly modern in feeling. Proper Background. The first and most Important mat- ter to be considered in an artistic und comfortable home is that of proper backgrounds. If the walls are not satisfying or suitable in color or tex- ture, no amount of good furniture or beautiful materials will ever be able to correct the effect. And yvet few people are willing to pay proper at- tention to this essential. No room is well decorated that is tapestry or follage paper we used to not the result of thought as to its Security Building Company Lenox Building 1523 L St. N.W. OWNERS—BUILDERS Office Phone M. 8174 or Cleveland 2683 Semi-Detached Tapestry Brick 8-Room and 2-Bath Homes WITH OIL BURNERS 5120-34 Nebraska Ave. N.W. Just Off Connecticut Avenue (Street Now Belng Improved) CHEVY CHASE, D. C. Overlooking Chevy Chase Grove Priced at $21 ’500 Attractively Financed In a community of assured v: alue—adjacent to ibeautiful Rock Creek Park—excellent street car and bus service, these center- hall plan homes are cxecedingly well constructed and beautifully finished. May be Inspected from 10 A.M. te 0:30 P.M. Daily or Sunday You Have Eyes —and Judgment! THEN.SEE IN PERSON— 3011 Seventh N.E. 3127 16th St. N.E. 33 Experts Unite In Plans for Star Model Buildings In order that every angle of modern construction and last- minute designing be used in the erection of the nine projeects which form the better homes demonstra- tion sponsored by The Star, ex- perts in every line were invited to participate in making it a succ Thirty-three persons directly connected in planning the | demonstration. These persons were all experts in their line and in- cluded’ architects, builders, land- scape architects, structural and material experts, financlers, in- terior decorators and business men. Every move that entered into the final consummation of the undertaking has been given deep thought and attention. Preserve Paint. When you set a pail of opened paint away for a few days, some step should be taken to prevent the forming of “skin” upon the surface. One of the &ood methods is to soak a large crock flowerpot in water and turn this, up- side down, over the pail. The film that forms is a result of drying and the porous sides of the flowerpot will, when thoroughly wet, keep the in: terior air moist for several days. function and use of the objects which furnish it. tially for comfort, for reading conversation, the dining room eating, the bedrooms for rest sleep. Everything that goes these rooms must be selected with a thought for these uses. This is espe- clally trude in the matter of wall treatment. Backgrounds should be kept as such and should not be allowed to become aggressive and too pronounced. They must make the setting for the fur nishipgs and_decorative objects to be set against them. and for and A mag Pric 514, 2 luxurio Select Dr: 14th & K T CA ‘8,95 The living room is essen- | 0! into |~ 1404 Varnum St. construction—and finish. A Home of refinement residential section of Washington. 7 charming rooms Big master bed- roo Large breakfast porch hardwood floors There’s a hominess, combined with luxurious appointments, that will im- mediately impress you. dinner or tomorrow, sure Between 16th and 14th on Vamum St. FRIT: Owner and Builder of Commaunities uilt for BULDING GANS SHONNBY CAVAD 19 Per Cent Increase in Per- mits Reported for First 5 Months of Year. The rapid upward swing of Canadian building activities was indicated in fig- ures made public yesterday showing a 16 per cent gain in May permits com- pared with May, . The figures, covering the 60 leading cities, were compiled by the Dominion bureau of statistics of the department of trade } and commerce, and contrast with a loss of 3.5 per cent in 484 leading American cities, as revealed in the national monthly building survey of S. W. Straus & Co. Canada’s May permits totaled $18,513,422, of which | $9,500,000 was for 1,950 dwellings. Since January 1 building permits in the Dominton have totaled $59.753,731, a gain of 19 per cent over the first five months of last year. The average indices of wholesale prices of building materfals was 151.1 for the period, the lowest in recent years. Permits is sued in the principal cities in May were: Montreal, $2,781,110; Toronto, ‘Westmount, $1,591,1 $ 4,155; Winnipeg, $1 Windsor, $971.320; Point Regina, $319,190, and ,000. Gray, $580, Hamilton Papering—Painting—Awnings There 1s no fob you want dops too small | for us to handle. Awnings carefally made | and reconditioned. Estimates cheerfully siven—reasonable prices. CORNELL WALL PAPER CO. 214 13th St Ww. ain 5373-5374 Within a stone’s throw of upper Sixteenth Street nificent Home in its design— in the most exclusive ed Very Special at 25 With terms that will interest Immense closets Perfect kitchen Hot-water heat Instantaneous heater Servants’ toilet Laundry Big built-in garage m us baths Open 9 AM. to 9 P.M. ive out tonight after M. 9080 () 2 Best Buy in Brookland! $7502 Cash Monthly Payments Less Than Rent Brick construction, colonial style, concrete front porch, 6 rooms, recep! with built-in tub and fixt tion hall, tile bath, ures; double rear SATURDAY, JUNE 26, o O 0 1926. REAL ESTATE. PORCH AS EXTRA ROOM. Model Houses on Upshur Street Show Latest Ideas. Visitors who inspect the seml detached model houses at Thirteenth and Upshur streets northeast, and who require back porches as part of their specifications for a good home, will be interested in the manner in which porches have been provided in | these residences. The porches here are not merel tacked-on pieces of lumber, but w actually built as a part of the house. They are of brick and inclosed. The will serve as sunrooms, breakfast rooms, dining rooms or anything the owner may desire. They are really extra rooms in the house, Pao SRR R AR SR SRS SXRS SRR INTITISTLN NHERRARNNRNNNENENEY Point Lookout, M. Fronting Both on Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River % - NN AN S A NS N RRNNNR Y Fourth of July will soon he here. Go to Point Lookout and have the best time you ever h: Our Company is buildin future playground and resort. Why not enjoy it this Fourth? Best fishing, hest gurf bathinz. on th hours drve rom Washingt good state road at SRS SRS AR R ENNR NN near-by b ify us ahead of time for reserva tione and’ fiahing arrangements. - Fr Hin 01 "the Company's new hath Mrl:lK your fishing tackle and il Yo the subdivision that made of the beautiful point Lots 605120 with all improve- ments now on sale at prie lower wow than they will ever be again. POINT LOOKOUT COMPANY 913 15th St. they San properly inspect these resi- [T T TTIT IR TDIRRN R ITT TRy 7772722 T 2222277, 1 bath has of 1 Houses Open 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. The six of the nine model homes that are to be opened for inspection tomorrow will be open from 10 a.m. 10 p.m., starting tomorrow and lasting until the end of the exhibit. Every facility for the convenience of | % the public will be afforded so that AAAAAHTTLALALAAAALALRALA AL AR AR LA 7 ( 07777777, BUY WITH CONFIDENCE—BUY A DUNIGAN ALL-BRICK HOME The Best Buy of the Year Sth and Webster Sts. N.W. 4414 5th Street Northwest Buys This Beautiful All-Brick DETACHED HOME Convenient Terms Arranged Hundreds of folks are looking for just such a home as this detached, all outside rooms, where the sunlight can stream in: Iarg‘c‘ front porch, where you can sit and view beautiful Grant Circle. Large garage and spacious lawn. The last word in home construction. Open and Lighted Daily and Sunday Until 9 P.\M. Convenient to Cars and Busses D. J. DUNIGAN, ne. 1319 New York Ave. Main 1267 1’8 MY Tomorrow as Well as Today Two Exceptional Values 4822 5th St. A very attractive eight - room house, with built-in garage and many refine- ments found only in a high priced prop: erty. Our Price only $10,950. 4826 5th St. Comer _ Fifth Delafield Sta. b with shower. concrata front and side po. beet of oak oo splendid Rot-water tures of built-in 6220 Georgia Avenue Is the Sample These are the last two re- maining properties out of over 100 built. A Shapiro- Katz Home is always worth porches, 10 feet wide. Hardwood floors up- stairs and down. Built-in garage. House VERLOOKING the University grounds in Brookland, and con- venient to cars, schools, stores, etc. A two-story tapestry brick home with built-in garage, six fine rooms, three large porches, hardwood floors and numerous modern com- forts and conveniences. *Nowhere in Washington can you find its equal at— DETACHED bungalow dwelling in a high, healthy section of Brookland. Wide porch, large bright rooms, modern bath and appointments, artistic electirc fit- ments, large grounds with room for garden and flowers. Situated in a district of increasing home values, you will find it an unex- OPEN - $6,500 $450 Cash SUNDAY . $52.50 Mo. WMmB- ( 25 15th Street Main 9770 Owners & Builders the money. Ask the man vho owns one. OPEN ALL DAY SUNDAY Drive Out 16th St. or Georgia Ave. to Decatur St., Then East .to 5th St. Near St. Anthony’s Church Unobstructed View From Front of Houses 3709 18th St. N.E. Open Every Day Until 9 P.M. ' Wolfe, Shapiro & Haves, Builders SHAPIRO-KATZ REALTY CO. REALTORS—BUILDERS These homes are 20 feet wide by 32 feet deep; large concrete front porches, with orna- mental iron railings ; four bedrooms. The baths are tiled and equipped with built-in Pembroke tubs ; showers and pedestal stands. Plenty of closet space, and floor plugs in all rooms ; open fireplaces in living rooms; attrac- tive lighting fixtures; hot-water heating plant. Welsbach automatic storage water heater. 1 =1 R = = ¢ § L 1 i Built-in garage. DIRECTIONS Drive out Rhode Is A"'e. to 16th fl":;g North to Irving. Or at 16th N.E. g Egening Phone— North' 4980-W MAIN 9111 1416 K ST. N.W. 0000