Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-05-05
Make-Shift Furniture.

A New York girl, brought up amidst
all the luxuries that affluence bestows,
was called on, by reasons which none
could censure, to change the gay convcn'
tioualitics of life for the lot Of poor
mans wife, and the scant comforts Of q
settlers home. "Give mo boards, bar.
res, hammer, and nails" she said, "and
| could furnish house, and comfortably
too"
And so she might; for many scanti.
y-furnished abode, above the standard Of
back-woods log-hut, has been made
more comfortable that it would have been
with the addition to its appointments in
make-shi furniture; not that any per.
son need reasonably despise bought furni
tare-I do not by any means-but cir
cumstanccs in life do occur to many
under whic', they may be glad to make
home comfortable by invention in the
temporary or permanent absence Of that
good substitute for it-money,;
A barrel will make very good chair
of novel and comfortable form. Saw
away half the front, first mailing the
hoops securely,) leave the back its full
hcig ht, and with the aid Of the saw form
the sides into arms. Then fix scat of
wood place on that thick, well-fllcd
cushion, with raised sides; pad the back
and arms. aud cover all with chintz, mo-
reen, or any material you may happen to
have. Very tolcrabIe seats, ottomans,
aud scttees of various shapes and sizes,
may be made of boxes, with cushions on
them, and full curtains OF furniture print
hanging round their sides. For those
who have to crowd into rooms too small
to accommodate an adequate supply Of
wardrohes and chests Of drawers, the in.
teriors of such boxes will prove very
convenient; and many who cannot com.
mand the'luxury Of properly made sofa
might improvise one from box and
cushions, and CLEAN a rich harvest Of sat.
isfaciion in the case and rest settling on
the worn features of some dear relative
or friend reposing on its soft cushions
and the kindness that made them togcth
er.
Our friend the cask, too, may be made
to serve for q washstand. which, although
humble. will be much better than none
Fix square or octagon.shaped board c,
the top Sf the barrel, nail round it cur
tain to hang down to the floor, and cut ii
it a circular hole for tho basin, or net
according to fancy. To utilise the int
rior of the barrel, some slaves in front
under the curtain, may be taken away
and shelf fixed halfway up. Wher,
two or more persons occupy one room,
screen for the washing-stand may be mad
with simple frame like folding clothe
horse, and covered with either print o.
paper.
4 convenient addition to the furnitur,
of spare bedroom may be made with
an open-work, light wicker.baskct, such
as millners use for sending home bonncts
it should be large, as long as the width
of the bedstead, at the foot of which i
may stand. 1t should be lined with glazct
calico, aud covered with print, or with
covering to match the bed furniture ant
it will be found very useful to lady visi
tors for putting away bonnets, &C., on
will often save the lady Of the house tn,
trouble of clearing drawers or wardrobe
shelves for her visitors use.
Pretty imitation vases may be made o
card, painted, and left without . bottom
SO that they can be put over jug o
glass of flowers; and picturc-frames nue.
pret,icr than those OF wood, are of paste
board, covered with layers from cones O
the pine aud 6r tree, tastefully arranged
and vanished.