April 12, 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 Oakfield house.

Well Arranged Plan That Will Wear Well
Essential of structure, Utility and Beauty Are Incorporated to a Degree That creates Sincere Appreciation
One of the most reliable tests which can be applied to architecture is to ascertain if it wears well. Was it so planned, in exterior and interior, so that the occupants do not tire of the appearance and arrangement and derive just as much satisfaction from the home as the day they first moved into it? Was the construction of a quality that has lasted through the years? Is the plaster still in good condition, with few or no cracks and do the doors and windows still open and shut without interference?

A badly arranged plan imposes restrictions and demands exertion on the part of the occupants which are extremely trying and which, unfortunately can seldom be remedied. Hence the usefulness of the building is impaired for life.

Materials put together without skill or care quickly develop the unmistakable evidence of poor construction and we find that the structure has worn out before its time.

There should be an appreciation of the tremendously important effect which nicely adjusted proportions, good construction, good detail, pleasant color and texture, in brief all the elements of good design, have upon the individual. If the home meets with all, these requirements a condition of satisfactory arrangements and pleasing harmony results, which gives assurance that it will wear well.

In the accompanying sketch is presented a home which is designed to cover the essentials of structure, utility, and beauty necessary to give any house those qualities of lasting satisfaction. While this house makes no attempt to tell the passing world of its existence by ostentatious or unwarranted use of materials or colors, yet it is a house that will wear well.

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

Living Room: 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 table, table lamp with copper luster base and shade of yellow taffeta over which beige georgette has been pleated, the trimming being a blue green and gold or rust changeable taffeta ranching, bridge lamp with bronze and marble ase and shade of beige georgette over yellow taffeta and trimmed with silk braid in a 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 landscape framed in dull gold each end of mantel to have brass and crystal candelabra electrified, electric fixture 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, 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 balck 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 and 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 covers, 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 left: Woodwork, silvery gray, walls treated with 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 gray 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:

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

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.