Page [iii]

           AN ARGUMENT FOR SIMPLICITY
                                IN
     HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS
 TN all that concerns household furnishings and decoration, present
 L   tendencies are toward a simplicity unknown in the past.  The
 form of any objed is made to express the strudural idea diredly,
 frankly, often almost 'with baldness. The materials employed are
 chosen no longer solely for their intrinsic voalue, but with a great
 Vconsideration for their potential beauty. The qualities thus appre-
 hended are traced to their Source and then carefully developed by the
 sillt of the craftsman.
                       In the eighteenth century, the French cabinet
-makers created, charming objeds suited to the palaces and castles of
tMe old nobility. They revelled in richness of material: In 'woods
(6ogt~gk from countries and colonies difficult of access* in costly
gilding and other applied ornament; In fancifut painting 'which exqui-
sife delicacy of handling alone savoed from trolalty and Insignifi-
Acance.
                       But to-day, 'wtth the Idea of development
lewry'where dominant,--in the sciences, in educational methods, in
*11 that furthers human intercourse, comfort and progress---we find
fbe4h mood of the century Impressed upon the material and necessary
jbjects by 'which 'we are surrounded.   Even our beds, tables and
41,alrs, If planned and executed according to the ne'wer and sounder
ideas of household art, offer as a lesson taught by their form, sub-
aitnce and finish.  We are no longer tortured by exaggerated lines
She reasons for 'which are past divining. We have not to deal 'with
falsifying Veneers, or 'with disfiguring so-called ornament.  We are
necessarily confronted by substances precious because of their
dtlonal use, their rarity, and the difficulty attending their attain-
ent We are, first of all, met by plain shapes 'which not only
ectare, but emphasize their purpose.  Our eyes rest on materials
#hch, gathered from the forests, along the streams, and from other
trces familiar to us, are, for that reason, interesting and eloquent.
   C may, In the arms of our reading-chair, or in the desk before
 Ii z