[Anon], ‘On Furnishing’

This chapter takes a slightly different approach and discusses the range of seven styles that they saw on offer. London Society was a successful journal that was established in 1862 and lasted until 1898 as an illustrated magazine that emphasised leisure and reading for relaxation. Some people have a horror of good taste, because it is, they say, so ruinously expensive; and they bless their stars that they have none of it. But this kind of decoration is scarcely what the people mean by furnishing, which they consider to have more especial reference to tables and chairs, to curtains and carpets. In the meretricious style the study is to consider the personal appearance of the occupants. As to the arrangement of the furniture it is difficult to say much, as everything depends upon what it consists of. It would seem almost invidious to name any one upholsterer or decorator when there are so many that are good.