Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-30
HOME TOPICS.
Notes on Household u. cora,iOn

Crazy patchwork has just found anoth-
er place in the home decorative world. 1t
is used to cover round Japanese fans.
These are finished by binding of velvet
and edged with gold bangles and little
gilded bells. They are pretty for the par
lor and look well on the whatnot, m0ntel
or on a small table.
Very pretty tides are made out of
squares of satin or silk edged with Tor
chon lace. -Four squares are used to make
one large tidy, or three pieces may be
turned into a triangle with good effect.
Dining-room curtains of thin unbleach-
ed muslin are fashionable. They are fin
ished by deep hem and edged with some
deep cream linen lace similar to Torchon.
When hung on slender brass rods and
looped back by little brass chains the
effect is at once simple and elegant.
Peacock feathers are seen in every
room in the house. They are placed I'M
der pictures and across mirrors, in an
tique jars and vases, and are even sewed
to the curtains and shades. A bunch
costing Is to 25 cents will go quite a way
in decorating, as only two or three are
used in one place.
A handsome little ottoman was made
the other day out of an old soap box by
a young Brooklyn lady. 1t was about
three feet long and two feet wide. She
first lined the inside with deep red paper
muslin, which was firmly tackled on. The
sides were covered first with an old felt
skirt, and the top padded with fresh
straw pillow covered with unbleached
muslin. The whole was then covered
with deep red velveteen, costing so cents
yard, and fastened down with silver
headed furniture tacks. A tassel was
added to eacn corner, and the ottoman is
as rich looking as one costing S25 A
smaller and cheaper one was made, the
covering being chintz instead of vel
veteen.
For lining vestibule doors Indian gauze
is now used. 1t is put up on brass rods
and firmly fastened by brass nails to the
lower part of the door. The cheaper
quality looks just as pretty as the more
expensive kinds and lasts almost as long
When white lace is used it is left un-
starched and tied in the centre by satin
ribbon.
Bright crimson mating Is one OF the
prettlest coverings for a bedroom floor.
1t is far preferable to cheap ingram or
| III Cul ptt COSl5 DuJ Out-llllTu
the money. A bedroom seen recently was
furnished with the mating, while little
Persian rugs were placed at the side OF
the bed and in front of the dressing case
and wash-stand. The dark wood furni-
ture contrasted pleasantly with the Grim
son, while white muslin curtains draped
the windows, and were held back by
crimson satin ribbons. Above them were
little lambrequins of crimson Turkey cot
ton, embroidered in white and yellow
worsted daisies. The occupant of the
room said the mating was easier to keer
clean and free from dust than the carpet
that she expected it to last three year.
more and that she had used it two years
already.
An excellent substitute for dining.
room bouffe has been invented bv n Har.
lem housekeeper. She had four foot wide
shelves put up on one side # the dining
room wall. These she stained with lit
tie walnut vsrnish. From the lowest one
she hung little India gauze curtain
reaching almost to the floor, while long
er one. hung from the top on s,ndei
wooden rod. Her silver aud glassware il
put on the upper shelves, while the low
est one is used for dinner plates, dessert
etc. The curtains protect them from Tia,
, dust, and the whole arrangement cost bu
80.