Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-28
AIIhACIlNE HOMES.
Some Suggestions for Prettily Draping
Windows.


INEXPENSIVE CURTAIN sTUFFs AND THE WAYS OF
USING THEM EFFECTIvELY-A NEAT DEVICE FOR
FAsTESING-BABY's BASKET AND SOME NOVEL
TIES IN BABIES WRAPS.
Once more a Washington season is about to
open, but whether it will prove brilliant or
quiet one remains to be seem To be prepared
for 1t, however, in all its phases is the business
of all the mistresses of households. whether
the establishment be large or small. Here,
indeed, the moderate-sized and small menages
form large and attractive part of family life.
There is SO much attention paid to building
small houses from tasteful and unique designs
that with so much ready at the beginning il is
quite easy to furnish such homes prettily.
This past season, besides the large fine houses
that have been erected. many of these gem like
little homes have sprung up all about the CITY
and the suburbs. To settle and arrange these
houses 50 as to make them both convenient
and charming has been the congenIal employ
mont OF many of Washlngtons womenkind.
There are numberIess important points and
features of modern homes, but perhaps none
more so than curtains and draperies of all kinds
Inc appearance of a house from the street
gives the KEY as it were to the interior; there
fore the windows tell much of the decorations
and beauty within.
SASH CURTAINS.
At every window these are the rule and a
certain uniformity must be observed to have a
good outside effect. OF course, to have them
light IN color and thin in texture are necessi-
Ties Tor the admission of light 10 have differ
ent tints IN different stories will answer but for
inc outside appearance many ladies prefer the
white muslin or Madras at every window, 10
matter how rich the inside hangings NAV be
curtains won 1Iar Of
they are generally chosen for their laundering
Qualities. The dotted and sprigged muslins have
been favorite materials for some time This sea-
son the tamboured muslns ra her take the lead
III the inexpensive curtain stuffs This pretty
oId-fashiOned goods that our grandmothers
knew and appreciated comes in a good many
designs, more or less elaborate. The scallops
nnlsh both edges to all patterns and only re-
quire cutting out as preparation for hanging.
AS most OF the sash curtains are tied back the
lastenlngs are sometimes problem. Ribbons
whilc they are fresh are very pretty, especially
the white. From the necessity for removal,
however, their cost mounts up to quite a sum,
with two loops and ends at every window.
Bands OF the material are quite satisfactory, as
they can be washed with the curtains.
CORDS AND TAssELs
OF white or coored cotton are much used also.
A novel and ingenious fastening came to nv
notice the other day. young lady visitor in
town imported it and gives her friends the
benefit OF the good idea. Corset laces, to be
bought for 10 cents dozen, are braided three
strands with three cords in each strand The
praldlng Is loosely done and when finished is
about an inch wide. This is cut into any
length desired, and the ends tightly wound
with thread to make them secure. When the
curtain Is Topped a tack makes the braid fast to
the window frame and fold of the material
VIII conceal the ends where they are tied with
the thread. With muslin these simple little
bralds look quite dainty and in keeping, while
the trouble of making is very slight. While
sasn curtains were never so universal as now
they are arranged as to interfere but little
with the natural uses of window. Instead of
almost covering the pane of glass they are
Topped higher than heretofore, with the cur
tam In long loop where it is caught back.
ms Is graceful effect and seems to be the
favorite one this winter. Some are seen with
the curtains crossed at the top, then drawn off
and full frill of lace is on the edges. This ia
very charming. reminding one of airy, lacey
ball-dress draperies with all the folds and the
Jabot effect OF the lace-frilled edges
BABY's BASKET.
Babies like the poor, we have always with us.
Under various names-household tyrants, we'll
springs OF pleasure and hundred other terms
of endearment or derision-they make their
presence known. All that is daintiest and
prettest in the way Of belongings is accumu-
lated to serve their small whims or necessities
Anything fresh or novel in ideas to be applied
to babys Quitting is quickly seized upon by
tG :.I lrienus:in preparing gifts for the
mug autocrat. vi course basket, with all the
.olle. appnances; is an article OF daily require
ment and one OF the prettiest things to arrange.
A new fancy is to have the wicker has Eet
painted white. 1t il then lined witb S".taS
muslin over white, pink or blue, according
to taste; All white would be very dainty,
especiany II touched up with gold, according
W tne prevaihhg popularity OF that
ooiloihaiou. Inc basket ltsef might have
soiu iihes On us weaving; lhe muslin should
20 pu' over "hlse, ana Where RIBBONS are used
let .neih DC Whte also: little gold thread
lnisI. oe neo IN WIN the ribbons The long,
sienaef ron pm CUSHION; which ID late within,
uilent De embroidered little with gold
thieao, anu the pun Do& might be OF either
emma or celiuiolo, painted In gold. CellulOid
Is not Dreakable and Ii very light to handle,
hence quite suitable for basket use. Another
s'yie vi pun hoider couid be carried out In this
basket. IL Is bag, and very pretty addition
10 "a basket. Inc bottom Is OF pasteboard cut
round, ana a httie larger than the puff itself.
IL Is covered on both sides with the material
chosen. In a basket such as suggested here
the Japanese goid-stamped white crepe cloth
would be good. strip Of the cloth is gath
cred and sewed to the round cardboard and
drawn up full on shirr strings. The depth
OF TINS strip Is regulated by the length of the
handle OF the puff. AS long handled one as
possible should be chosen, and the ivory
SUCK De let to show an inch or SO above the bag
when drawn up. This Is dainty little affair,
Dut might not be so available for daily use Tho