The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-04-20
ALL AROUND THE HOUSE.

Taking n ArtiCleS Tor Home AuOrnment.
From the Art Interchange.
New pen-wipers are made of three circles of
chamois, pinked at the edges Twisted loops of
orange satin ribbon are placed over these and
the whole fastened together with an oxidized
silver ornament representing an owl with pen
in its beak.
Some dainty miniature teapots, just large
enough to hold cup of tea, are exact limitations
of the large pots, wicker handles and all They
are in bright yellow japanese ware, with floral
decorations, and are only twenty cents apiece.
They are largely used for german favors, and
sell very well at bazars.
Bread-and-butter plates have come to be ac
cepted as part of the regular table furnishings,
and are often made to match the other china,
although in many sets no two are alike. They
are from four to six inches in diameter, minia-
ture tea plates, in fact, and intended to hold
the slice of bread and piece of butter which
would otherwise cumber the plate. They are
placed at the left of this and are great conve-
nience.
The old-fashioned washing bench makes a
capital window seat, and if properly painted and
upholstered may be made decorative feature of
a stting-room or boudoir. A white enamel
paint may be used, and if blue flowers-bache-
lors buttons are graceful-are scattered over the
effect is very good. The top may have tufted,
adjustable cushion of blue or blue and white silk,
altogether very useful bit of furnishing.
Mother-of-pearl is again coming into favor
and complete set for the writing table is very
pretty. The inkstand and paper-knife are sim
ply carved, and the pearl-handled gold pen is put
up in purple velvet box. A convenient chest
for stationery is made of olive-wood, and when
closed is in the shape of three large books, with
silver clasps and corners, which are very orna-
mental BY touching a spring the top falls for
ic-
closed
The chair scarf is no longer popular, and it is
happy day that sees its decline. The down
pillow covered with pretty silk is now the ac-
cepted adornment for all chairs which are not
upholstered, and they are tied on the seat with
| ribbons and smaller one may serve as rest
| for back or head. Large mellon pillows cov-
cred with gay silk and with heavy silk cords by
which to suspend them are sold at 80. They
are lightly stuffed with hair and are especially
| adapted to steamer chairs.
Much thought is now spent upon the fireplace,
and japanese bronze, antique brass, and often
sienna marble form its face The old-fashioned
hob CRATE, common in England, is faced with
rich-looking tiles, and is becoming very popular
in this country, while many fireplaces are now
! made large enough to hold back log four feet
! long. Tenders and andirons are still made of
brass and wrought-iron, and screens to match
are always part OF the furnishings. Ihe low
folding screens which surround the entire hearth
! are necessary as we'll as decorative, for most
wood is apt to snap and send out dangerous
| sparks.
Dresden china baskets have comein for break
fast and luncheon decoration, and are generally
filled with pink azaleas, in their own foliage and
naidenhair ferns, fuschias, or cypriums With
yellow luncheon or breakfast pretty effect is
produced with this arrangement of the fruit
which is placed in a silver or crystal bowl in the
centre of the table, and is shaded in color, pale
orange with deep yellow oranges to COLDER
P apPIes, ana, ana paie yellow p Plums TO deep rlci
form to have great quantities of fruit piled
pyramid wise, but only enough for each guest
of perfect quality and condition. With this
yellow decoration daffodils are pretty set il
silver wire wheelbarrows, or crocuses in yellow
paste jar, or great Haunting tulips in bronze
vase, and still another charming decoration il
clusters of amayllis and narcissus, scattered
lightly on q cloth of gold.