Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-07
HOUSEHOLD ART.
Snhiect-

some Useful Hints on an IntcrestinI
, Subjccts
room is generally considered almos
unfurnished If the windows are not hum
with some kind of drapery. The origi
nal object OF this drapery was to keep on
a draught of air, which found its wa,
through the imperfectly fitting windows
and the ante-type of our window hang
ing was simple curtain, formed of ma
terial suitable to achieve the purpos,
sought. Such curtain was legitimat,
and desirable, and would contrast strange
~ with the elaborate festooning and quad
rupled curtains of our present windows
We daily see yards of valuable material
arranged in massive and absurd folds
shutting out that light which is necesso
try to our health and well-being-a pair o.
heavy stiff curtains and pair of lace
curtains 10 each window, each curtain
consisting of sufficient material to more
than cover the window of itself. An ex.
cess OF drapery is always vulgar, and Q
little drapery usefully and judiciously
employed is pleasant. Many windows
that are well made, and thus keep out ali
currents of air, need no curtains. If the
window mouldings are of an architectural
character, and are colored much darker
than the wall, so as to become an obvious
frame to the window, and thus do for the
window what picture-frame does for q
picture, no curtains will be required.
a striking illustration of this is de-
scribed as follows by writer in CasseWs
IcchnjcW Educator: "Two ad-
joining rooms are alike in their architec-
| tire one is decorated, and has the win
dow easement of such colors as strongly
contrast, while they are yet harmonious,
with the wall. Before the room was dec
| GRATED, and the windows were thus treat
ed, general light color prevailed, both
on the woodwork and on the walls of the
room, and curtains were hung at the win
dows III the usual way. With the altered
decorations, the windows became SO effect
i've that | at once saw the undesirability
OF rehanging the curtains, and vet not
one of all my friends has observed that
there are no curtains to the windows (;
while if the curtains were removed from
the adjoining room, where the window
frames are as light as the walls, the first
question asked is, Where are your cur
tains| Curtains should be hung on
simple and obvious pole. All means of
hiding this pole are foolish and useless.
This pole need not be very thick, and is
better formed of wood than of metal, for
then the rings to which the curtains are
attached pass along almost noiselessly.
The ends of the pole may be of metal, but
prefer simple balls of wood. The pole
may be grooved, and any little enrich
ments may be introduced into these
grooves, providing the carving does not
come to the surface, and thus touch the
rings, which by their motion would in
lnre 1t. Whatever is used in the way of
enrichment, should be of simple char
acter, for the height at which the curtain
pole is placed would render very fine
work altogether Ineffective"
The unfortunate possessors of an i'm
mensc mirror would confer great benefit
upon their drawiug-room decoration by
having 1t removed from its position, and
the plate, Which is probably of good
thick glass, cut into two or three oblong
pieces. These put into narrow gilt, ebony
or other frames, and hung Mt level where
pleasant reflections are possible, would
have far more thfn double or treble the
effect of the one large surface. If strong
unwillingness should exist to have large
plates of glass cut into pieces. an alterna-
tive which, if not admirable, is still an
Improvement upon the large unbroken
surface, remains for choice. This is to
use an ebonized oak or 'oiled" walnut
frame, altogether inclosing and dividing
by cross-pieces the surface of the glass
into compartments, and leaving, perhaps,
one uninterrupted, oblong piece, about
eighteen inches high, at the bottom.
a corner cupboard that has solid, I'M
glazed doors, either flat or rounded, would
gain richness by the insides of the doors
being covered with choice bits Of old
Venetian leather, or, failing that, paint
ed diaper, perhaps with gold leaf back
ground; when such doors are opened
and laid back against either wall, the
warm fine color would be valuable ad-
lunct to, not interfering with, the bril-
liant beauties of shelved treasures, such
ms rare old china, glass, or silver.
Not long ago, writes "A correspondent.
was calling on a clergyman's wife. They
were not rich, but when l looked on their
table | said to myself: This is high art.
She had brought from home black wal
nut table that was very old, and its rich
dark top had been polished till it shone
like n looking glass. There was no table
cloth on, but vase of red geraniums
"'iN iit1h' III tit Sthtlt, ullu uiOuui were
few plates, not expensive ones, but oil
of different colors and designs. The food
consisted of n plate of baked apples,
slices of bread, doughnuts in silver
cake basket, and pitcher of milk. l
have been invited where the table was
loaded down with rich eatables, but it was
not as satisfying as this simple meal served
in this artistic way. 1t is great advance
to have art classes, where painting on
chil is taught, it must be such delight
ful resource besides one has the pleas
IRE of giving keepsake, designed and
painted by oneself, and sometimes that
can be used every day, too. One of my
neighbors painted set of tea plates, each
with an original design, and it is delight
full to eat off of them. Her little girls,
aged B and ), We're fired with an ambi-
ton to paint plates, too the mother let
them try and the plates were sent to be
burnt with the rest. They We're shown
to me by the little ones with great pride
as their very own work, and thought
them very good representations of jap
anese art