December 06, 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 Rackham house.

Has Dignified Charm and Yet is Informal
Windows Lend an Air of Distinction and Arrangement Diffuses Even Lighting Without Sacrifice of Wall Space

Owners and builders of small homes thought they were just about compelled to take what was offered in the way of exterior designs and interior layouts until a few years ago. They had not reached the era of house conscious and did not realize that it was possible for them to have the same architecture beauty and modern conveniences found in larger homes.

But the home buyer of today is style conscious. He has reached the point where a meaningless exterior with an interior lacking symmetrical proportions is an eyesore to him and he knows its purchase would be a monetary less. Low price and locality are not sufficient that will lift his home above the ordinary.

Style conscious must now be satisfied by a home having a definite style. Good style bespeaks good taste and good living and no one is adverse to either.

There is a dignified charm about the house shown today, and yet it is informal. The windows give all air of distinctions and are so arranged that the living room will be supplied with daylight without the sacrifice of wall space. This is a combination not to be overlooked by the housewife.

The large and well proportioned fireplace is not only decorative feature but at the same time an indication that the living room will be one of cheery and hospitality.

To give an idea of how attractive this house might be the following suggestions are given for the decorations:
Living Room: Woodwork, walnut treated with a rough finish paper in a light fawn shade floor covering blue and taupe Wilton in a small conventional repeat design; glass curtains mercerized casement cloth in a light ecru shade, over draperies, dark blue ground flowered cretonne or hand blocked linen.

Dining Room: Woodwork and walls, like those in the dining room; floor covering plain blue Wilton glass curtains like those in the living room over draperies yellow ground chintz trimmed with blue pleated ruffles.

Kitchen: woodwork, ivory walls bright yellow floor covering blue and cream and black checked linoleum curtains, yellow organdie trimmed with blue rick rack braid and put up with a blue oil cloth valance trimmed with black rick rack braid; these curtains to be caught back with blue oil cloth tie...

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.