March 08, 1931

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A column from the Interior Decoration Department home series describing the Greendale house.

Abundance of Windows Throughout the Hose
Every Bedroom Has Two Exposures So Arranged That Furniture Can Be Placed in Different Positions
There is a dignified charm about the home shown today, and yet at the same time it is informal, creating qualities which lend a home like atmosphere. Perhaps the most apparent characteristics about the house is the sharp roof lines which are accentuated by the irregular paneling and exterior trim. This type of architecture has come down the ages and therefore has gone through the test that has eliminated about al the objectionable features.

An attractive vestibule and hallway lead to the living room, kitchen and stairway. This arrangement permits of three exposures in the living room in addition to the archway connecting the dining room. Three windows in the dining room and an equal number int eh kitchen and breakfast nook indicate plenty of sunshine and fresh air.

Every bedroom has two exposures which are so arranged as to permit the furniture being placed in different positions. A spacious bath and large canvas covered dust porch complete an attractive second floor.

With a view to using colorful contrasts the following suggestions are made for the decorating and furnishing of this week's house:

Living Room: Woodwork to be furnished in a light shade of caf' all laut and the walls paneled with wood moldings and walls and molding painted to match woodwork; the surface may be stippled, merely to give a roughness texture, but no color should be introduced, floor covering, plain deep blue, green glass curtains, beige gauze over draperies, blue green and ruse damask, furniture sofa covered in rust velvet with a pair of extra pillows covered in blue green and gold changeable taffeta, wing chair in black ground tapestry, pair of end tables to be used with the sofa, secretary, Chippendale single chair for same, with seat covered in blue green and gold brocade, armchair with seat and back covered in needlepoint, circular tip top able, table lamp with copper luster base and shade of yellow taffeta over which...
... beige color; tables at end of sofa to have a pair of lamps with Italian pottery bases and painted paper shades to harmonize

over mantel treatment to consist of land scape frames in dull gold, each end of mantel to have a brass and crystal candelabra, electrified electric fixtures to be equipped with shades to match that suggested for the bridge lamp.

Hall: Woodwork, walls, and floor covering to be like those in the living room: furniture to consist of small console and mirror (walnut) and single chair with seat upholstered in rust colored velvet to match the sofa.

Dining Room: Woodwork, walls and floor covering, and glass curtains like those in the living room, over draperies, black ground printed linen with floral design in rust, blue, green, orange, yellow, and violet, furniture, walnut, and to consist of oblong extension table, five single chairs, one armchair buffet, with tapestry panel hanging over it, and brass candelabra at each end with blue green candles, serving table, chairs to be covered in black and green checked velvet, electric fixtures to be equipped with shades to match those in the living room.

Kitchen and breakfast nook: Woodwork, turquoise walls, apricot, floor covering, black and green checked linoleum furniture, turquoise trimmed with black, curtains, apricot organdie bound with blue.

Front bedroom: Woodwork, ivory walls treated with an ivory ground paper containing design in lilac floor covering, plain amethyst Wilton, glass curtains, crossbar cream net, over draperies, lilac voile, furniture mahogany to consist of twin beds, small table, high boy chest of drawers with separate over mirror: single chair and upholstered chair with slip covering of lilac ground flowered chintz, bedspread, lilac moir' trimmed at the sides with scalloped bias bands, dresser overs, lilac linen finished with linen lace edging (cream) electric fixtures to be equipped with shades of lilac chiffon over rose silk and trimmed with lilac braid.

Rear Bedroom: Woodwork, silvery grey walls, treated with a shell pink and silver satin and moir' striped paper, glass curtains, like those in the front bedroom, over draperies, hydrangeas blue ground chintz with floral design in soft shades of pink, lavender, yellow and green. Furniture to be finished in grey enamel and consist of full sized bed, dresser, dressing table, and upholstered chair with slip covering of blue and rose striped mercerized fabric, dresser covers, shell pink linen trimmed with flounces and bands of the blue ground drapery material, electric fixtures to be equipped with shades of shell pink chiffon over taffeta a few shades deeper, and trimmed with blue braid.

Rear Bedroom: Woodwork, ivory, walls finished in a pale shade of yellow, curtains, white marquisette with a scarlet dot trimmed with ruffles of the same, draped back and held in positions with ruffled tie backs, floor coverings rag rugs in scarlet, yellow, green, blue and black, furniture to be finished in black trimmed with a touch of scarlet, dresser covers, yellow linen hemstitched in scarlet, bedspread, scarlet and cream cross bar waffle linen, electric fixtures to be equipped with yellow parchment paper shades, trimmed top and bottom with a narrow band of scarlet pass' partout

Bathroom: Woodwork, cream, walls, shell pink curtains, white organdie with bouquet design in shell pink yellow and green bound with pink.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.