Native Beauty

Our Natives and

The Method of Finishing Them



So much of the success of the whole scheme
depends upon the right selection
and treatment
which forms such an important part
of the structural scheme,
that we have considered it
worth while
to devote an entire chapter
to such information
and instruction as we are able
to give
concerning some of our natives
that we consider most desirable
for this purpose.
We are taking up only
native to this country,
for the reason that they are
nearest at hand and
reveal the beauty
that forms
in accordance with the
exotic
foreign native

These vary widely,
as each possesses
strongly marked
charactersistics as to color
but all we mention
are desirable for each of them
is much more.

That we claim greater beauty
for the native
but merely that,
when properly treated
they are quite as interesting
as any of the more costly,
imported from other countries
and have the great advantage
of being easily obtainable
at moderate cost.
We need not dwell upon the
generous amount of contrast
in order to realize
the full value
Features of all kinds
have only the impression given
which we receive
when we go into
the average house
where the plain walls are covered
and the conventional scheme
no expense lavished on the absence
in the interior
This is a truth that has long been understood
and applied in the older countries,
especially in England,
whose mellow friendly
old homes
are the delight and despair
of Americans.

We began to apply it to the building
and furnishing of our own homes.
With us the realization of
the possibilities
when used as a basis for the West,
particularly where
the delightful atmosphere
gave rise
to a new departure
and stirred the East
to follow suit.

We would have it clearly understood that we mean the use
finished
that its individual qualities
texture and color
are preserved
so far as possible,
and such treatment
of spaces and structural features
are not made unduly prominent,
but rather sink quietly
into the background
and become a part of,
forming a friendly,
unobtrusiveness.
Instead of coming into competition.
To this end,
the inherent color quality
is deepened and mellowed
as if by time
and made pleasantly smooth
without sacrificing
the quality that comes
from texture.
When this is done,
the little sparkling
irregularity
allows a play of light
that seems to give it a quality
that we lose entirely
stained to a solid color
so that the light is
unsympathetic
It is interesting also
to note how much depends
on the kind we use

For example, the impression given
is strong, austere and dignified
suggesting stability
and permanence
such as would naturally belong
built to last
robust
manly
most at home
meant for constant use
although each one has
an individual quality
that differentiates it
from all the others
all come into the same class
in that they are strong
open
that they find their best use
in general life.

This poem is about: 
Our world

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