March 30, 1930

Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser

Detroit, Michigan, United States

An article by discussing incorporating old items in modern homes.

Old Design Have Place in Tasteful Modern Home
By Edith B. Crumb

What is this world coming to anyway! It's getting to a point that a child just simply cannot have any fun in the old fashioned manner when visiting grownups with grownups. There was a time when the wild waves could be lightened when the wild waves could be lightened to for a long time by listening to a big shell held close to the ear.
One of these was sure to be found near a much carved marbled topped table, and always in the neighborhood would be one of those stereotypes which was sure to charm for hours with its pictures of pearl mosques, Niagara Falls, and perhaps a series of very thrilling courtship of the gay Nineties.

Attics Too Modern
And that isn't all, either. The attics have gone modern and no more are there any drawers and boxes through which the young visitor might rummage without fear of being disturbed for a long, long time.

As for the wreath of hair flowers which were framed and made one of the high spots in the decorative schemes of the room-there just seems to be no more in captivity. Even the climbing onto the chairs and soft is an easy matter now and not so full of that element of chance which was afforded by the slippery hair cloth style which made the landing a gamble for if one got up on it, it was only through exertion climbing and jabbing of heels and of course, this could not be done right out in the open for the elderly were always on the lookout for any action which might result in damage to the dear old horse hair sofa.

Old pieces Attractive
But those who wish to have charm in their home are experimenting with discarding, remodeling and retaining the pieces of the older times and find that when properly grouped these are very attractive.
What was once the old hair cloth furniture may be recovered with a moir', (preferably striped) or a bouquet pattered brocade and finished with a narrow braid, thus making an ideal place for the living room.
Perhaps one of the chairs to the set may be left in the same room, but covered in material different from that on the sofa (to avoid a suite idea) and if there are other chairs which belong to it they may be scattered about the house in such places as bedrooms.

Ideal for Breakfast Room
Four single Charis would be very ideal for the breakfast room in combination with a drop leaf table. What nots (though of the smaller type) are now being brought out from their places of discard and receiving a first class refinishing thus making them ideal for books and small pieces of china, pewter, or glass. A three tier shelf is very effective over a small table or flat top desk. With these might be grouped a set of silhouettes.

Old lithograph are again very popular and oval and circular frames that have long been relegated to the far corners of storage space are being looked for with respect.

Patchwork quilts which are just right as bedspreads for four poster beds are also being sought: and it is surprising what an amount of wear they have stood without impairing the tiny patches which were pieced together so carefully.
Who knows! Perhaps it is only a step now after the revival of these old things to do the replacing of the sea wave shell, stereoscope hair wreath. It isn't really to be hoped for, but rather guarded against and because all of these things come from the same age, one should be careful in making selections so that there will not be the result of a house full of useless articles; and with the stories so full of toys and playthings, perhaps the children will never miss the old hair cloth accessories.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.