Seeking peacefulness and pleasure from
the environment in which we live was a basic philosophy of the
Arts & Crafts movement. Home decoration was influenced
by Mother Nature. Unpainted woodwork revealed its true
beauty, while honest, simple designs reflected flora and fauna.
Even colors paralleled nature. The various greens, deep
reds and golds of fall foliage; assorted tans and browns of
bark and wood; and tranquil turquoises, deep blues, and yellow-greens
found in oceans, lakes and rivers. By returning to nature
for inspirations, simplifying one's life, and getting away from
the Victorian belief that "more was not enough," it
was believed one could actually be healthier, less stressed,
and more at peace. One way to incorporate the soothing
effects of nature in the home was with the use of stenciling.
 At
the turn of the century, magazines such as House Beautiful,
The Ladies Home Journal, and The Craftsman, encouraged homeowners
to use the decorative arts in their dwellings. Stenciling
allowed a single motif to be carried harmoniously throughout
a room. It could be used as a frieze along a wall, stenciled
on curtains, portiers, table linens and pillows--which could
be further embellished with embroidery if desired. All in
all, it created a simple unity, allowing not only self expression
in the design chosen, but also in the personalized color scheme
selected. And any motivated individual could succeed
at it.
|
