The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-12-24
HOMEMADE FURNITURE.

For wears there had stood in kitch-
en- ! wot of, a. couple of old wooden
chairs. The legs had been sawed off
at some remote period. They We're
such comfortable chairs, too, broad.
well-sloped backs and wide rounded
seats, slightly followed out Between
them stood au ancient wash-stand
about twenty-five inches square, with
Il drawer six inches deep. There had
nnce been a sort OF a railing on two
sides and an upright board at the back.
But the railing had long since disap-
peared, so also had the board which,
in its palmy days, was a shelf on
which the pitcher reposed when the
bowl was being used for the toilet.
The owner OF these articles was
woman who believed the best house
keeper was the one possessing the most
utility. The neighbors were refurnisii-
ing their parlors. The state OF her
finances would not allow her to do so,
yet new furniture she WAS determined
to have If 1t was made from old. Those
two chairs were covered with strong
unbleached muslin and stuffed with
good curled hair. Casters were put
into the legs which also received two
The best quality of nonpareil velveteen
was purchased at a dollar and a
quarter per yard. 1t was brocaded,
not stamped, and it was used to cover
the back on both sides. A roll at the
top confined apparently by handsome
tassels; the seat, and a scant plating
below the seat, finished with very
pretty, balI-fringe with some silk in it,
~ fxxyn
yard. The handsome tassels were
made from dress-fringe with a little
chenille, to heighten the effect; half a
yard of velveteen made the pillow roll
One chair was of myrtle green-the
other a deep cardinal
An old cane-seated low rocker was
revarnished. and little walnut stain
put into the varnish concealed all
scratches and saved the hard work of
scraping the old varnish of. From
the skirt of an old broadcloth Prince
Albert coat, a good material was found
to make the top of u cushion for the
seat, and the covering for slumber-
roll AT furnishing store there was
found some lengthwise scraps of cardi-
nal mommie cloth. A strip two inches
wide was laid diagonally over the
and roll, and button-holed securely
down with shaded green single zephyr,
and at intervals OF two inches daisies
were worked in point russo stitch in
light shade of zephyr. A dozen or so
morning-glory shaped leaves were cut
from some green velveteen and grace
fully disposed on either side of the
cardinal strip. Two or three flowers
L. II
grouped with the leaves. The leaves
were button-holed down with the
shaded green; the flowers, with shaded
cardinal, with stamens of bright vel
low split zephyr. Stems were put in
where needed with lighter green. A
puff of mommie cloth three inches
deep finished the cushion, and the
slumbcr-roll had the ends drawn to-
gether and finished with handsome
tassels. Thus, at an expense not ex-
ceeding ten dollars, three pretty and
useful chairs were added to the parlor
The wash-stand before mentioned, was
furnished with a shelf and all traces of
railing and back were obliterated. 1t
then received q couple of coats of
asphaltum varnish, and some drop
handles were put into the drawer.
The top and shelf were covered with
green felt, and around three sides OF
the drawer fringe was nailed with
hrass-headed nails. The shelf held q
small jar, which was once used for
pickles. 1t was of common crockery
ware, vanished with asphaltum, and
before the second coat was dry,
package of diamond dye-gold dust
was sprinkled over anu slightly pressed
in with tho fingers, producing AN effect
resembling gold lacquer A band of
red velvet paper pasted diagonally upon
the jar and held there by varnish.
When the varnish was quite dry a
border OF gold paint, sixteenth of an
inch wide was put above the red paper,
and row of large field daisies painted
| Just above it, conventional daisies
without foliage. a brilliant-hued but
terfiy was poised above them. In the
| lower corner, right-hand side, there
were three blue flags, with their sharp.
stiff leaves. Another pretty stand of
| oval shape had a cover stretched oyer
| it tightly. A handsome. design of
leaves and flowers was appliqued on
one side, and some deep ball-fringe
tackled around. The expense for the
two stands with decorated jar was only
about two dollars. So for the sum OF
twelve dollars-the price OF an ordin-
ary wicker chair. the parlor was pref
tily furnished. Good Housekeeping.
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