he fact that each monk was
occupied either with painting, carving, modelling, embroidering or
writing. They worked primarily for the Church, decorating it for the
glory of God, but the homes of the rich and powerful laity, even so
early as the reign of Henry III (1216-1272), boasted some very
beautiful interior decorations, tapestries, painted ceilings and
stained glass, as well as carved panelling.

Bostwick Castle, Scotland, had its vaulted ceiling painted with
towers, battlements and pinnacles, a style of mural decoration which
one sees in the oldest castles of Germany. It recalls the illumination
in old manuscripts.

CHAPTER V

CANDLESTICKS, LAMPS, FIXTURES FOR GAS AND ELECTRICITY, AND SHADES

Candlesticks, lamps, and fixtures for gas and electricity must accord
with the lines of your architecture and furniture. The mantelpiece is
the connecting link between the architecture and the furnishing of a
room. It is the architect's contribution to the furnishing, and for
this reason the keynote for the decorator.

In the same way lighting fixtures are links between the construction
and decoration of a room, and can contribute to, or seriously divert
from, the decorator's design.

It is important that fixtures be so placed as to appear a part of the
decoration and not merely to illuminate conveniently a corner of the
room, a writing-desk, table or piano.

PLATE X

The dining-room of this apartment is Italian Renaissance--oak,
almost black from age, and carved.

The seat pads and lambrequin over window are of deep red velvet.
The walls are stretched with dull red _brocotello_ (a combination
of silk and linen), very old and valuable. The chandelier is
Italian carved wood, gilded.

Attention is called to the treatment of the windows. No curtains
are used, instead, boxes are planted with ivy which is trained to
climb the green lattice and helps to temper the light, while the
window shades themselves are of a fascinating glazed linen,
having a soft yellow background and design of fruit and vines in
brilliant colours.

[Illustration: _Dining-room Furniture, Italian Renaissance_]

In planning your house after arranging for proper wall space for your
various articles of furniture, keep in mind always that lights
will be needed and must be at the same time conveniently placed and
distinctly decorative.

One is astonished to see how often the a