The House Decorator and Painter's Guide

"In what beauty consists the philosopher and the artist are alike unable to determine, for it is impossible to find a judge. That which is exceedingly pleasing to one person, and impresses his mind with delightful sensations, is seen by another with indifference or disgust. That the process of eduacation has a great effect, there can be no doubt; and that natural propensities have an influence, is equally certain. Could we remove a wandering savage of America or Africa, whom we misname a savage, from the forest or desert over which he has been accustomed to roam without any other protective covering than the skins of beasts, or the spreading branches of trees, to the richly-decorated drawing-room of an European prince, he would, we doubt not, be overcome with amazement; but whether he would experience a sensation of pleasure is very doubtful.

We have seen the uncultivated tillers of our own soil, in apartments decorated with all the taste of modern art, who have found no other words to express the sensation produced upon them than, "How grand!" We have also seen in the same situation the artisan, who was not only accustomed to such scenes, but contributed his part to the production of the general effect; and he has, upon completion of the whole (especially when colour and light have added their effect, after his labour was finished), expressed himself in similar terms. But introduce an artist, how low soever may be his rank, and however unaccustomed he may be to the grandeur of a well-lighted and elegantly-decorated drawing-room; and as soon as his eye can bear the blaze of light and colour, which at first has an effect even upon him, he will point out the portions which are to him unpleasant, and those which he admires. In his opinion he may differ from others equally as well educated as himself; and what he calls beautiful another may object to as a defect. It would, therefore, seem probable that a certain degree of education is necessary for the appreciation of the decorations employed in our edifices; and that the sentiments of beauty experienced by individuals depend on habit of natural disposition, or both."

In the face of such understated and sage advice and equipped with only a modern day retrospective attitude of mocking disdain, I'll say nothing.

WH & A Arrowsmith: 'The House Decorator and Painter's Guide; Containing a Series of Designs for Decorating Apartments, Suited to the Various Styles of Architecture', 1840, newly uploaded to the Digital Library of the Decorative Arts and Material Culture at the University of Wisconsin. There are about 50 plates in total. Note the 'Gallery View' link in the margin.
{I remain hugely busy - with good reason - but hopefully things will pick up here again soonish}