The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-26

else balance himself on the very edge Of
the seat; in both cases finding himself the
reverse Of comfortable. The same re-
marks apply to sofas, and especially to
those made with straight backs aud in the
pretty gothic forms which are now 50
fashionable Buying furniture for com
fort and buying it for looks are very DIFF
ferent matters--in fact, there Is distinct
class of furniture which is gorgeous to the
eye but simple martyrdom to the body.
II includes pine or wildwood chairs, COW
cred with plaster of Paris, gliding, aud
satin, which are meant TO be admired but
not to sit in; aud an endless variety of brass
mounted tables, footstools, cabinets, and
like objects the cost of which appears to
augment in exactly inverse ratio to their
utility. With such, We have nothing to
do here. We propose simply to talk about
articles that can be used, and used COM
fortably.
For stuffng furniture, there is nothing
equal to good white curled horse hair It
viii last indefinitely, for it is susceptible
to almost perpetual regeneration. There
is no economy whatever in paying twenty
or thirty dollars less for set which is
filed with tow, moss, excelsior, or any
other Of the numerous materials used as
substitutes. To bo sure, the articles look
exactly as well in the beginning as If stuff
ed with hair; but years wear, evidenced
by the sunken seats and cushions, viii
speedily show the difference. 1t is better
to select furniture before it is covered, as
then small hole, surreptitiously, If need
be, poked in the side Of seat or back,
win soon prove whether the salesman's too
frequent protestations that Eve use only
the best hair" are founded upon fancy or
on fact.
While horse hair is most suitable for
the inside, we have very little liking for
the same material made into cloth as
covering for the exterior, although il is
the most enduring of all materials, Hair
cloth is black; and as the articles upon
which it is used are the principal objects
in the room, the general effect to our
minds is funereal and depressing. The
heavy deep shade cannot, when in such
masses, be acceptably toned down by con-
trasts, nor can it be enlivened SO that the
general appearance of the room is rendered
bright and cheerful fttt II
Good stout wooden reps are among the
best fabrics to wear. Silk rep is just the
reverse, while not one person out Of ten
can tell the difference in the fabrics across
a room. Plush is also very strong and |
lasting, though il is not suitable for a
modestly furnished room. Saline, though |
not equal to rep in wearing qualities, show
ing spots and dirt much easier, is by some
considered handsome, and probably is bet
ter suited than the latter for parlor.
In regard to color, the hues Of the
carpet unless Turkish rugs are used, and
that Of the wall paper are again to be taken
into consideration. With gray toned
wall and carpet, crimson is the proper
shade for the furniture. Blne looks nicely
with rich dark carpet having no green in
il, or with blue carpet Of harmonizing
shade Crimson or green furniture accords
wen with either brown or green carpeting.
Brown upholstery requires green carpet.
Covering furniture with two distinct col
ors or shades is now quite common, and is
preferred by many to a single shade or
color throughout. The body Of the piece
is upholstered in gray rep, for example,
and the edges surrounded with blue puff
'ings. There is variety Of pretty cOmbi-
nations Of colors, of which in such case
advantage may be taken. Deep blue and
golden brown, chocolate and bright blue,
gray and pink, maroon and warm green,
elaret and buff, are instances in which the
tinss make pleasing contrasts.
Wood work enriched with gliding Is now
extensively made, and even enters into the
construction Of the cheapest grades Of fur
niture, We do not counsel its purchase,
as the gliding, especially ia cheap goods,
wears of very easily, leaving the articles
badly defaeed A few pieces Of furniture
about the room differing from the prinei-
pal set viii be found to give a pleasant
and furnished look TO the apartment A
very neat chair, made by the Shakers and
at some of the penitentiaries, is now sold
at from 1--WE to ten dollars. II has q light
though stout wooden frame, Of simple pat
tern; ard the seat and back are made Of
plated webbing Of two colors, either red
and blue, Or green with gray or black.
One red chair Of this kind makes an at
tractive spot Of color TO room furnished
in green. Then there are the so-called
oriental chairs. something after the camp |
stool pattern and having high backs
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