speech to the furniture convention by laura baron

Mr. House: no inanimate object thinks more highly than I do of the quality, as well as the comfort, of the very finely crafted pieces which have been arranged in the house. But different objects often create the same effect in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those pieces, if, entertaining as I do, opinions of an arrangement very opposite to theirs, I shall order my furniture aesthetically and with feng shui. This is no time for clutter. The question before the house is one of paramount importance to the spatial configuration. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of chairs or tables; and in proportion to the magnitude of the room ought to be the freedom of arrangement. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at feng shui, and create the best configuration which we can achieve in our room. Should I keep back my color samples at such a time, through fear of bad taste, I should consider myself as incapable of color choice towards my walls, and of an act of indecision toward the outcome of the design, to which I strive through individual objects.
Mr. House, it is natural to a sofa to indulge in the aspiration of comfort. We are apt to shut our eyes while lying on one, and to drift into sleep upon those cushions, till morning light awakens us from dreams. Is this the duty of soft sofas, destined for a sedentary and servile life of luxury? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having coaches, lie not, and having chairs, sit not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal comfort? For my part, whatever relaxation of spirit it may reward, I am inclined to enjoy the comfortable cushions; to pick the coziest and to lie upon it.
I have but one lamp by which my room is lit; and that lamp is of brightness. I see of no way of seeing the room but by a light. And viewing from the doorway, I am able to see what there is in the corners of the room, to decide those things which visitors have been pleased to enjoy in the house. Is it that particular coffee table upon which our feet have been lately rested? Criticize it not, sir; it will provide a comfort for your leg muscles. Suffer not yourselves to be reclined on uncomfortable things. Ask yourselves how these luxuries of our furniture compares with the rock-like objects which provide discomfort and cause us pain. Are stiff cushions and hard chairs compatible to a room of comfort and simplicity? Have we shown ourselves ready to be comfortable, so that unpleasant objects may be removed to ensure happiness? Let us not pain ourselves, sir. These are the pieces of comfort; the necessary addition to the arrangement of the furniture.