We should be grateful to the Spanish Mission priests not only for introducing into America the early architecture of their native land, but for so successfully adapting it to its new home with its local conditions and materials. Along with these noble buildings it was but likely that the style should be embraced for domestic purposes also, and, as is usually the case with a natural growth, the results have generally been of the happiest.

The mode is spreading to many other parts of the country, and it is exceedingly welcome because of its suitability to our semi-tropical summer climate and its constructional advantages. For city apartments, too, it has been found that interiors in this style are exceedingly attractive with their proper furnishings (Plates 116 and 120) and especially if relieved, through the Liberal period method, with a few pieces of the current movement of other nationalities.

With all the existing thousands of these houses little thought has been given to their appropriate furnishing, and certainly no special provision has been made for them by manufacturers. At first glance the logical forms to be adopted would seem to be a style based upon what original furniture is found to remain in the Mission buildings themselves, but a little further thought will show the incorrectness of this. Besides taking into account the ecclesiastical character of all their appurtenances, it must be remembered that American Indian local talent was employed in their erection and furnishing. Again, this very wise step would seem to make the existing furniture all the more valuable to us, as being "racy of the soil", but in actuality it proves too clumsy and too inelegant for modern decorative use. For proper furnishing we should therefore look to the early homes - if such still remain - of the same civilisation where it attained greater domestic development; that is to say, farther south, in Mexico. While such original furniture of the early period would, then, be the logical model for us to follow, a search for it would be full of inconveniences and difficulties, and after undergoing them, we should find that, after all, the pieces did not differ materially from those of old Spain, their place of origin. For Spanish-American houses of the better class, where expense is not prohibitive, Spanish Renaissance and Baroque furniture is, therefore, the correct thing to use; and its less ornate forms might readily be supplied by manufacturers for less costly interiors.

PLATE 116. ELABORATE SPANISH RENAISSANCE FURNISHING IN A NEW YORK CITY APARTMENT.

By Courtesy of Good Furniture Magazine.

PLATE 117. "SPAN-UM BRIAN" LIVING-ROOM FURNITURE.

Manufactured by Berkey & Gay Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.

In Oak and Walnut of deep, soft, brown, inlaid with rare woods Dining-room furniture is also supplied in this style.

Spanish mobiliary styles were those of Italy with very interesting local modifications and characteristics, many of these naturally being of Moorish inspiration (see the large armoire with small panels in Plate 120). The "Span-Umbrian" furniture illustrated (Plate 117), as its name implies, shows details of both nationalities and may be employed in these interiors. Dining-room furniture in this mode is also supplied by the same manufacturers. Some Spanish reproductions will be found in the establishments of high-class decorators in the large cities.

While, for the reason mentioned, we should not find reproductions of the furniture of Indian workmanship particularly pleasing for domestic use, it would indeed be a pity not to preserve and employ such examples of this indigenous craftsmanship as we may. Many of their textiles, baskets, pieces of pottery, and the like, are exceedingly attractive and should take their place as accessories. We should likewise remember the old Spanish love of strong, not to say hot, colour, and there should be no anaemic effects in these interiors. The walls should be of plaster, tiles may be used to great advantage, and crowding should be notable by its entire absence. Tapestries and other rich hangings were typical. A fine adaptation of this style to modern apartment-uses will be seen in Plate 116 - for which, with its description, I am indebted to Good Furniture Magazine.

This apartment, overlooking the lake in Central Park, New York, presented no natural advantages for the decoration chosen, and indeed careful consideration was necessary in the obviation of difficulties. The height of the ceiling is cut down in appearance by the use of deep valances, those elsewhere in the room being of antique rose-coloured velvet splendidly embroidered in gold. The valance and curtains at the left of the illustration are of modern rich brocade, the old rose pattern standing out in relief against a ground of soft old gold. The wall-paper is of light neutral tint similar in tone to the warm grey of the woodwork, and in close harmony with the natural colour of the silk hangings at doors and windows. The overdoor valance is of heavy antique lace with delightfully quaint designs. In the rugs and elsewhere appear also warm greys, old rose, and gold, with dull blue and green. The huge candlesticks are of carved wood, gilded, and the chairs in old reds and rose with gold. Golden tone likewise appears in the repoussé metalwork of the chest, relieved by the background of velvet panels in faded reds.

This particular example is of course elaborate and expensive, but similar effects of appropriate Spanish furnishing could be carried out with modern and less costly materials.

Regarding the present-day use of colour for these periods it may be suggested that while it was originally strong it became mellowed in the course of time. We may use these antiqued and mellowed tones - and some of our modern textiles carefully reproduce them - but we should not forget their original hues and should not employ washed-out effects.

The Spanish-American style is to be commended, especially as it affords, a relief to the woefully overworked American Colonial home - it would be interesting to know how many tens of thousands of these exist in the immediate neighbourhood of Philadelphia alone.

Nevertheless it should be said that also suitable climatically and usually much better adapted to our Northern and Eastern landscape, is the small French house. The writer has often protested against the total neglect of this style by American architects, and is glad to mention that within the next year or two a large number of these beautiful and appropriate houses will be brought to the attention of the public.

Mission furniture is straight-forward and simple but is also heavy, utilitarian, and unlovely in its lack of grace. For modern homes the lighter, straight-line pieces shown in Plates 14 and 15 will be found preferable. But, one of the impediments to its desirability has been the dull-hued leather-seatings hitherto accompanying it: do away with these, use the Mission, if needs be, or the more attractive lighter furniture, with rich crimson or blue mohair velvet for its cushioning (or good rep if the mohair velvet cannot be afforded) and surround it with other attractive furnishings and accessories, and the modest home will have beauty and charm.

In thus treating the Spanish-American interior, the principle features of early Spanish furnishing have themselves been mentioned as well. In strictly Spanish interiors Moorish characteristics may be given much more play.

Accessories Of Both Movements

The accessories used during the Renaissance and Baroque movements were very numerous. Among them were the following: -

Most characteristic and most widespread in their employment were the wall hangings, already referred to. In place of the now nearly priceless original tapestries, needlework, and armorial draperies, we may now use some of the modern reproductions of suitable design and moderate cost, or brocade, which, if desired, may be enriched with a bordering of velvet. Pictures and mural ornaments of carved wood or maiolica in colour and gilt were also employed to relieve plain wall-surfaces. Statuary, porcelains, and pottery were abundant in Italy.

Tall candelabra of carved wood or of wrought iron, either of them painted and gilded, were there also typical, as were carven and metal candlesticks and sconces. Door-and window-hangings were often of great richness in all countries, and bedspreads and bed-draperies were of special importance.

Deer-heads and other such trophies were frequent, but nothing could well be less desirable in small premises to-day. Plaques, tankards, bowls and pieces of copper and brass are useful, and the soft gleam of metal is always decorative.

Objects from the East continually found their way to Western Europe and no period was without its high appreciation of them. Oriental rugs, draperies, pottery, lacquer, tiles, and metal ornaments have always been used and are among our most valuable decorative assets to-day.