Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-16

china and add to the appearance Of a SIM
pie dining room. A carpenter, who was
equal to imbibing the ideas furnished
him and turning them to practical account,
made the skeleton frame OF the cupboard of
poplar. which was afterward painted dark red.
The young lady whose concoction il was took
it in its implanted state, the carpenter only
charging -. 80 for the boards and labor Of the
frame work. Two coats of red paint were
then applied, which dried leaving a dull, soft
finish. with no gloss or vanished appearance.
AT the back of the shelves a little cleat was
put to hold plates when they were set up on
edge and prevent their falling. As the frame
work was all open-a mere skeleton-a back
ground was provided to show off the dishes by
lacking canton flannel (the color OF the paint
all over the back from top to bottom. Then
the same pair of hands which had done this
screwed some hooks into each end of the top
shelf OF each division and laid a small brass
rod across.
CURTAINS OF FELT.
One could not at that time get the rods and
fixtures all complete, as we do now. and some
ingenuity was required to hang the curtains
which were desired. Two lengths Of rod were
therefore cut at a hardware store and put up
as have said. The curtains, which still hold
their own and have never been replaced, will
display their age when describe the materials
and decoration. Felt-the once sought after
and now neglected fabric-of dark red is what
all four curtains are made of, and il one looks
back to any art paper of that date it will be
found recommended on all occasions. Now.
however SO many suitable materials Of less at
traction 10 moths are made that felt is seldom
used. especially in this climate. The colors
in the embroidery of the stripe up
and down the front edge of the cur
tains are dull blue, very harmonious, but the
wooliest kind Of wool Is the material-Smyrna
or something especially heavy. However. as
have said. six years of wear have not impaired
their usefulness, even in this notify town. A
single strand of fine Japanese gold thread
then a great Doyelty-outhnes the pattern and
lights il up somewhat. This simple little cup
board has been most useful piece OF furni-
ture, and though very modest in looks Is quite
attractive, with its array OF china and glass and
more capacious than one would give il credit
for being. of course, In fitting up such a cor
ner cabinet now prettier paint could be applied
and prettier curtains could DO hung in front,
but with those improvements a homemade
cupboard could be gotten up so as to dispose of
one corner Of q simple dining room quite salts
fsctorily.
USEFUL SCREEN.
From abroad a new idea comes to me con-
corning screens which seems capable of being
made Of practical use to many women. 1t is
often the case that in a house of moderate size
no one room can be given up entirely to sew
ing and bed room is the place where work Of
that kind must be carried on. OF course there
are many times when every vestige of such
employment disappears, and II is to aid in this
complete effacement OF work and materials
that the screen l speak Of can be made useful
Have two-fold screen. for instance, that when
not in be set in a corner and be en-
trely out of the way and not take up any room
The inside angle may be quite decorative if
desired or be fitted up in a variety of ways.
On the back of the two folds, however,
which are entirely concealed when this
innocent-looking bit Of furnishing is
in repose, and merely a corner ornaments
whole workshop may be permanently arranged
ready TO be in use at a moments notice. bag
with all the darning implements, a good-sized
pin cushion, pockets to hold knitting or other
pieces of work and bags for tapes and buttons
all may be suspended from the screen frame,
while piece of strong tape stretched across
fold and caught down at short spaces will al
low scissors to be slipped down according TO
their sizes. ball of Irvine in its knitted
cover would also be convenient and individual
wants could be provided for as they made
themselves felt. In a small room such a screen
and a lapboard would provide a complete ap-
paratus for hand sewing. and would be excel
lent accessories to a sewing machine.