which drives the beholder to counting and thence to incipient insanity,
and others on which we fancy we can trace the features of our friends,
are always distracting, especially during illness, when restfulness is
so essential. The plain cartridge-papered wall with frieze and ceiling
either flowered or of a light shade of the same or a contrasting color
is never obtrusive and always in good taste. With a flowered wall a
plain ceiling is a relief, and vice versa. Figures in both walls and
ceiling are tiring, besides having none of the effect resulting from
contrast. Walls in plain stripes need to be livened with a fancy
ceiling, or ceiling and frieze, with their background always of the
lightest tint in the side wall. One room of particular charm was all
in yellow. The molding had been dropped three feet from the ceiling,
giving the impression of a low ceiling and that snugness which goes
with it, and up to it ran the satin-striped paper, while over frieze
and ceiling ran a riot of yellow roses. And here was asserted the
ingenuity of its occupant, who had cut out some of the roses and draped
them at the corners and by door and window casings, where they seemed
to cling after being spilled from the garden above. This same idea can
be worked out with garlands or bunches of different flowers, bow knots,
or other distinct designs. No large figures of any description should
be introduced into a small room, and the whole effect of the decoration
must be cheerful without being boisterous, gay, or striking. If the
ceiling is low, the wall paper continues up to it without a frieze, the
molding--which corresponds with the woodwork--being fastened where wall
and ceiling join. Backgrounds of amber, cream, fawn, rose, blue, or
pale green, with their designs in soft contrasting colors, are the
strictly bedroom papers.