ELEMENTS OF ART 15

Interior decorators, both professional and amateur, are becom-
ing more aware of the importance of texture. There is still great
need for improvements in this respect, however, for many women
know little about texture. A woman who would be shocked to
see a wash dress, a fur coat, satin slippers, and a straw hat worn
together might not even be aware that the rough bricks in her fire-
place, her fine-textured rug, her ruffled Swiss curtains, and her iron
lamp stands are equally inconsistent.

Even in a single article texture problems are present if more than
one material is used, for only agreeable textures should be com-
bined. For example, a metal chair looks well upholstered with a
lacquered fabric, for both materials are sleek and waterproof.

Refinement in appreciation of texture suggests that a relation
exists between color and texture. Coarse textures and dainty
colors are not consistent, whereas fine textures and pastel tints
are harmonious.

One of the first decisions to be made in furnishing a room or a
house is the selection of the furniture wood or woods, for all other
textures employed must be in harmony with the wood. Each
kind of wood seems to produce a definite feeling in the observer.
Pine, oak, and hickory suggest strength; mahogany and rosewood
suggest elegance. Obviously, oak and mahogany furniture can-
not be combined; walnut, however, is medium in texture and can
be used either with mahogany or with a light type of oak. Ma-
hogany requires delicate textures like fine silk, satin, velvet, roses,
deep-pile rugs, and light-weight brass hardware to accompany it,
whereas, with oak, coarser textures such as tapestry, rep, large-
patterned linen, iron, and parchment should be used. In the study
of texture it is helpful to analyze the significance of materials that
have been combined in each of the great decorative movements.

Modern use of texture is creative. Rooms are now composed in
which areas of various textures on walls, floors, and furnishings
are organized to produce rich, subtle effects. The texture of any
single article is not considered separately but as a contribution to
the total effect of the room. When the full possibilities of this
element are utilized, plastics, glass, metal, wood, cork, leather, and
fabrics will be composed into a symphony of texture.