Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-09

ranth, Of purple hue; ebony from Gems
tral America aud Ceylon; North CARO-
Ina holly, Calilornia laurel Brazilian
tulip, Circassian walnut, olive wood
from Palestine and West India yuba.
Many woods get their best color
from age. Among these are mahog'
any, oak and cherry. =,
In the copies Of antique models
manufacturers gain this old color by
initiating the action to which the wood
is subject in course Of time, and so
gain the same result quickly. This Is
done with washes OF lime water, or
aqua ammonia, which not only dark
ems the wood, but otherwise improves
the colors. In cheaper classes Of fur
niture, it is the custom to initiate the
color Of some precious wood upon one
less costly; thus, upon cherry or ma
pie, may be produced close imitation
Of rosewood or ebony. Ebony can be
initiated upon great variety OF woods.
This process o wood staining has
taken the place, in large measure, Of
the old>time veneering, its great merit
being durability. Cherry, by the way,
is also treated SO as to resemble ma
hogany, aud many Of the so.called ma
hoeany bed room sets, will their brass
trimmings, are in reality cherry, made
dark by some chemical process.
CUT WITH THE GRAIN.
In this connection it may be we'll to
explain to the initiated that furniture
made Of wood cut with the grain is
much more lasting than when the
wood is cut against the grain. II pur
chasers, in making selections, would
| bear this fact in mind, there would be
fewer broken down chairs and sofas.
Fashion requires that the modern
parlor shall avoid all appearance Of
uniformity in its furniture, In word,
every piece is expected TO have some
characteristic not possessed By its
neighbor. What is known nova days
to dealers and manufacturers as a
"parlor suit consists OF one sofa, one
armchair and 3 side chair or two.
These may be Uniform in style aud up
holstery. The remainder Of the fur
niture is contributed in odd pieces,
differing 10 style, color and upholstery,
yet in harmony with the furniture
| proper. -
The shapes in parlOf furniture, it
may be said, in a general way are low,
lgiving a sense Of comfort and ease
rather Of ststeliness The frames in
cline to be massive, and, when permit
ted TO show, exhibit elaborate hand,
carving and what is termed the rubbed
down lead finish" While the frames
are somewhat massive, they are broken
by the ornament, which adds lightness
to the strength Of the framework.
The materials employed in uphol>
stery this season are varied. Heading
| the list Of materials for the parlor are
velours. These are fashionable at the
present time in AL over" designs.
Plush and satin are also in style for
parlor covers. The preference is now
given to figured materials when en-
broidery is not used, and fruit patterns
are favorites. Old tapestries, Chinese
embroideries aud Oriental fabrics Of
all descriptions are in demand for up
holstering odd chairs, conversation
sofas and the like, that distinction
may be given to separate pieces OF fur
niture.
a great deal Of hand embroidery
appears on the covers Of psrlor furni.
, ture-embroidery the designs Of which
are originated by artists and the elabo
rata needlework executed By experts
a new and pleasing feature observable
in tables, cabinets and other furni-
, ture, are the brass feet 10 antique pat
terms and elaborate wood carving
The peculiar figures Of the Renais
nuce decoration 50 much sought aftel
render the carving especially Effective
GLASS IN DOORS
In some Of the new houses entir,
glass windows appear in the drawing
5 room-windows Of stained glass. Ii
e these are introduced the opalesceni
9 glass and the nuggets Of glass Gale,
Jewels, " These glass jewels are use,
as inlays with admirable effect. g
Wide license is permitted in the
matter Of window draperies and por
there's for the parlor. In many house
the curtain that comes next to tn
} windows pongree shade, ornamenteC
y in outline stitch. Next to this comes
s perhaps. a curtain Of Madras muslin
. in soft, delicate cream color, or q cur
! tain Of serino, with antique lace let 10
. Chen there are Syrian curtains o
:, lemon. hued muslin worked in old goll
IS threads, which are fashionable, hun
A singly at a window, TO be looped up a
one side with gOldscolored ribbon.
: The inner curtain are Of some rich
+ luxurious fabrics. Satin. triple line
=. and borderod with embroidered bands
II are popular inner curtains. Plush i
4 solid eolors, also silk velours, ar
Z largely employed for the same puf
Il pose. II matters not 50 much WhA
D. the material is so that it is rich i
n color and Of a texture that admits Q
e its hanging in graceful folds. tt
:" inner curtains should be ample i
e. their folds, and the lower edge ough
n TO touch the floor and partly rest upo
y it.
The arch or sliding doors betwee
- the parlof and the room adjoinin
2, affords an excellent opportunity iC
OF the display Of fine drapery. Sometime
4. the portiere hangs in one single cui
j tain, butoftepcr i u intwo pafts, an
3 is suspended from a rod and ring
D. after the fashion Of the win dow dri
=. peries. Porlieres, as a rule, are mad
le Of heaYier materials, though they ma
4 match the window curtains Whe
= material Of solid color is employed n
" curtains are finished with a figured Z
ey embroidered at the bottom.
I'd Mantel draperies employ rich iat
a RIGS, such as yelours, plush andLahor
a satin in plain colors, With hand en-
" broidered decoration. A style
!, mantel drspery distinguished for ricl
Id ness Of effect consists OF lambredui
es Of plush arranged in panels and en-
in broidered with gold threads and edge
a. with heavy bullion fringe.
. THE WOODEN MANTEL.
,. The modern mantel and It's decor
tons are 40 important feature OF Il
I'd parlor, The wood work may or ms
les not match the wood Of the iurnitur
. this isA matter Of taste. As rule
forms q sort Of brie.a-brac cabin
above the mantel and frame Woi
Tor the beyeled mirror II is bas
4 This wood work shows the same Ella
oraie carving that cbarseterizes h
w furniture, A pleasing over mautel
~. modelled after what manufacturers q
'e ~ pleased 70 call the early Americi
~ =, style II consists 10 . shelf vii
"a rounding corners, and near the cent
~ ~ are delicate. pOsts supporting a small
No. shelf above, both being projected
y, NY 4 slender railing A panel like MIR
~ Is introduced above the lower she
ID, Then there are German Renaissanl
"a manlols made 10 ebonized cherry th
have deoidedly solid and modiRv