Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-27
RENOvATING FOR WINTER.
How to Brighten up Dingy Furniture
and Give IL a New Look.

Thanksgiving, which is always the fourth
| Thursday in November, is largely regarded Al
the turn of the season-that Is, the time wheT
the summers dust should have been brushed
away, curtains hung. and the house otherwise
set in order for winter. Thanksgiving is tc
winter what Easter is to spring. The one II
commemorated by Staying the fatted turkey
which practically introduces that toothsome
bird for the season; the other is celebrated by
the appearance of the gorgeous spring frock
with wrap and jaunty bonnet or hat to match.
To the good housewife both inaugurate q sea
son--the putting away of the affairs of one
the overh.-uling and putting to rights the
things for another part of the year.
correspondent of The STAR wishes to know
how to improve the looks Of a set OF q scot
tage" furniture which is now, or rather was, a
cream color, ornamented with flowers. This
white furniture is much in use now, and is
often discarded after becoming slightly soiled
when by a little tact it can be made to look
good as new. When it is possible it should be
sent to the cabinet-maker and be overhauled,
but when il is preferable, as matter Of econ
omy convenience, any kind can be inexpen-
sively and successfully renovated at home by
careful hands.
Take such a set as the one spoken of above.
for instance, and rub every part of it clean and
smooth with pulverized Pumice stone and
lay on a coat of light-colored 'carriage-rub.
bing'' varnish. This, when dry, will improve
the looks greatly, In fact give it almost a bran
new appearance.
If, however, the furniture needs repainting
and il is desired to save the ornamental work
it can be done by dissolving some glue in hot
water to the consistency of cream, adding
enough whiting to give it the body Of paint
Keep this very warm. and with small brush lay
coat over all the parts to be saved-that is, the
flowers leaves, &C., and let dry. When dry paint
the furniture over with cream-colOred paint
(or any other tint desired) as if no ornamental
work was upon it. When the painting is done
and thoroughly dry take some warm water and
a soft rag sponge and wash the glue, which
will come off easily and leave the figures as il
newly painted on a fresh ground.
BLACK EBONY FURNITURE
is quite fashionable, and this is made by soak
ing the wood, generally maple or ash, in a So
luton Of vinegar, iron-rust, acids, and other
coloring substances, but black ebony can be
initiated and old furniture be made to look
like that emanating from the factory, and to
all appearances quite as new. The old antique
chairs, tables, &c., of other days can thus be
modernized at a trifing expense. Take a
chair, for illustration, and give every part of ii
thorough sand-papering with No. ~ sand
paper, then dust carefully and rub with rag
which tends to smooth it off. Take a teacup-
full of ''ivory-black ground in japan," to which
add turpentine little by little, stirring all the
while with stick until the paint is smooth,
uniformly liquid and of the consistency of
cream. A teaspoonful of furniture varnish
will improve it, but is not absolutely neces-
sary. This mixture will dry in half an hour.
1t may be applied with bristle brush, but a
soft hair brush Is much better. The paint
should be spread on plentifully and be just
leveled down with the brush, no more. II
should not be touched after once being left.
In one hour a second coat may be applied
which should consist of one-half ivory-black
as taken from the original package and one
half furniture varnish. This is called .'color
and varnish," which helps to color the work
and give it slight gloss. This can be put on
with bristle varnish BRUSH In twenty-four
hours it should be perfectly dry, when, in or.
der to give it the ebony look, the gloss must be
rubbed off with a wooden rag dipped in pulver.
lied punice-stone and water. Plenty Of water
should be used and every spot rubbed. 1t il
only necessary to be careful and not rub the
corners and edges too hard