Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-08
miscellaneous.
Country Interiors.
BIZ ELLA RoDxAs CHURCH.
Auts0r Of s.HoU to Furnish a Home. :
Efr

Autbor Of ..HoU to Furnish a Home. +"
Etc.
In the back parlor, separated from the
other room by the warm-hued wooden
portiere. an approach had been made to
library in low set of book shelves OF in
expensive character. The carpenter had
put them up under direction and the al
fair consisted of simple frame OF pine
with substantial top and sides and irregu-
lar shelves between. The wood was made
very smooth and then ebonized. A mar
row brass rod went across the top, and on
this was suspended by rings double cur
tain of very thick scarlet Canton flannel,
which had the effect OF plush. This cur
tain was perfectly plain, and it hung in
soft, rich folds Of beautiful color; it was
meant to be drawn well back toward the
sides, but could be entirely closed if de-
sired. Some nicely bound sets OF STAN
dara works were disposed on the largest
shelves; while the smaller ones were used
for odds and ends of ornament. The flat
top. too, of the low bookcase held some
pretty plates resting against the wall. a
very pretty statuette of the Venus de Milo
in the centre, and a blue and yellow
vase at either end. These things had all
been picked up cheap in the city; and the
cost of the bookcase. curtains and all
was about $500. 1t was certainly great
convenience, and it helped to furnish the
room and make it COSY.
There was good view of the sea from
the three windows,-the house was well
provided for in the way of Highland
the room was of fair size and well shaped.
A desperately ugly fireboard was one Of
the first objects that attracted the eye of
the new proprietor. being covered with
yellow paper which was decorated with a
large pink girl and green boy standing
under some blue trees; but on removing
this work of art an open fireplace was dis
covered, to the great delight of the owner
who intended that it should remain
open. The mantel was not an old
fashioned, quaint affair like that in
shelf that was forth with painted black like
the bookshelves. A flat-bottomed brass
candlestick discovered among the rubbish,
and polished to the highest point, stood on
either end; and in the center was an or
nament that had the merit of being entire
ly original. A small frame was first
made. like the half round plant stands,
painted green. which one so often sees in
the country, but instead of painting the
shelves, our enterprising work woman
covered the frame neatly with Canton
flannel like the bookcase curtain. When
set up in its place. the choicest of the
large collection of shells, which the house
afforded. were piled up, according to size
and color, on the shelves-the smallest at
the top, and small. graceful branches of
the same coral that decorated the parlor
mirror, peeping out here and there. 1t
was very pretty ornament.
Plain linen shades of cherry-scarlet to
to match the Canton flannel. were put up
at the windows, and gave bright, resp
glow to the whole room. This was to be
the favorite spot for dull and rainy days,
when drift-wood fire. at least, would be
acceptable in that exposed situation; and
from the comfort within upon the wild
tossings of the Atlantic without. The
carpet of this room had never been at
tractive in its best days. now long since
passed and it was a question what to do
about it, for carpets are formidable items
in the way of expense. But presently re-
Numbering some very thick goods, with
fine red stripes through a dark mixed
ground-said goods being fifty inches
wide and only 1925 yard-the puzzled
householder sent to the city and bought
enough oft to make a very large rug
The floor was stained for about three
quarters of a yard all around, the rug
bound and LAID down, and the result was
highly satisfactory, at a moderate cost
Country Home.