instinctively. Rough, unpolished textures suggest ruggedness, a masculine character, and an informal atmosphere, while soft, finely woven textures give a formal and feminine character. Rough textures with vertical lines are very well suited to decorating a boys' room. A wall with a rough surface makes the room look lower than it really is, while a polished surface increases its apparent height. Texture also affects color, so that changes appear in it: a rough surface makes a color look darker than it is, while a sleek surface, which reflects a great deal of light, makes it appear relatively lighter. If two pieces of cloth were dyed in the same bath, one coarsely woven and the other of silk, the latter would come out of the dye several shades lighter than the first. Thus we conclude that thick, rough textures and light, elegant colors do not go well together — and the opposite holds for light colors with sleek, fine textures.

When furnishing or redoing a room, the first thing you must choose is the wood of the furniture, because the other kinds of texture to be used in the room must harmonize with the wood. Every kind of wood has its own psychological effect, which we must take into account. Cedar, oak, and American walnut suggest strength, while mahogany and rosewood suggest elegance and luxury. To join these two kinds of wood together is never advisable.

Likewise, with each of them we must use the fabrics that suit it: fabrics of coarse weave, such as homespun, or of medium weave, such as linen, handwoven cloth, and cretonne, harmonize greatly with oak; while silk, satin, velvet, taffeta, damask, and Persian carpets belong to stately mahogany.

The texture of the materials used in the house must not merely suit its function, but must also lend the room the artistic effect we wish to create. The texture of every piece of furnishing must be studied, not separately and on its own, but in comparison with the rest of the furniture, and with a knowledge of the measure of its power to create the general atmosphere of the room. An oil painting rough in texture, on a rough-surfaced wall, looks more beautiful than a sleek painting of fine workmanship and detail. Humble violets in a beautiful glass vase on a table of gleaming mahogany are far more beautiful than lovely roses placed in an iron vessel on an oak table. Earthenware vessels on a dining table of plain painted wood are far more beautiful than fine china and soft linen on that same table.

Textures are an important tool within our reach; we must give them our careful attention if we want to furnish our houses so that they come out beautiful and attractive, reflecting the personality of the mistress of the house.