The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-08-22
EsrHrrrcs I'm TIE pARLoR,

Since the recent importation OF oscar
Wilde, the rage for aesthetic furniture and
interior decorations, of a similar style
which had previously manifested itself in
isolated cases only, receiving a fresh i'm
petus, and the coming winter will find the
parl0rs of the wealthy-and even of those
moderate blooming like the old fashioned
sunfower. in antique style. This return
to the fashions of past generation, which
at present is manifested in articles of per
sonal adornment as well as in household
furniture, would be regarded as return to
the simplicity of the times of the fathers
of the republic, were it not that this sim
plicity commands extravagant prices;
and however great may be the desire
of the man with an income of from $1,000
to So 900 per annum to surround himself
with furniture such as his ancestors used.
he is unable to do so from the fact that
oftentimes one single article would cost
half years salary. A few years ago the
EastIake was the rage, and every article of
furniture and all interior decorations were
adapted to that style. That era has passed,
and the antique has dawned upon the house
hold furniture. For the coming winter rose
wood and mahogany will be the fashion
able furniture; black walnut, which has
been SO popular for SO many years, being
relegated to that obscurity from which it
will again spring when the popular taste
changes. Mahogany, of all wood, is the
best adapted to stand the various phases
of climate so changeable as ours.
The old fashioned sideboard is to take
the place of the ornate brio a-brac stand.
The wood is mahogany, highly polished,
the ornaments of brass the whole article
being an exact reproduction of the side
hno rdc fach in fho oil al
times But if the excessively plain in the
style of furniture is to be popular, the or
namental is not to be entirely overlooked,
for beautiful furniture in white and gold
will adorn many fashionable parlors. The
chairs are straight backed, somewhat in
the Queen Anne fashion, but not so high
in the back as is generally found in the
latter style. Even fashion in hall stands
has changed, the tall and stately styles of
past years giving way to broad, low
stand.
Carved wooden mantels, with tiled
hearths, are fast coming into fashion in
many homes. Added to these are the old
fashioned brass andirons, with brass shov-
els and tongs, and in very aesthetic homes
imitation logs punctured with holes to al
low gas to escape, which when lit produces
the effect of wood fire. are considered
just the thing.
Il am making large number of imita
ton logs" said mantle manufacturer,
land everybody who can purchase an old
fashioned mantle and imitation wood fire
is going to do so this winter. Then the
owner can lean back in his old arm chair
and enjoy all the discomforts of wood fire
except the litter, and be happy"
Heavy curtains, too, will be more pop
eular than ever this winter Parlor doors,
book racks, folding doors and inches will |
be adorned with silken curtains, which pro-
duce an admirable effect. These curtains |
are hung on heavy bars of wood or brass, |
to which they are attached by long rings |
corresponding to the material of which the |
bar is made.