New-York tribune., 1890-04-13
THE COUNTRY HOUSE.
HOW TO MAKE 1T BEAUTIFUL

Some OF the elaborate cottages recently finished
have been fitted up in rare natural wood including
prima-vcra and other Californian woods. The fashion
able fancy Of the hour is an entrance in mosaic lng
A country house recently finished was fitted up with
hall in antique oak finished with a mosaic tiling
In pearl color and gold. The drawingroom In white
and gold pure example Of Louis XVI fitting, and
was furnished with plush hanglngs in dull rose color
The library fitted up in prnavcra, and the walls
were hung with tapestry. The dlningrOom was also
finished in rich woods, with high wood wainscoting
extending around the room. The. ceiling OF TINS
room was Of wood with panels in paper-mache work
The upper OF the house were decorated IN hght
wood, the guest chamber being fitted up In white
maple and furnished with a brass bcdstead and Eng
lish dressing table set Of white maple.
White maple is the favorite wood OF the season ior
bedrooms. 1t IS finished in the olden style with
bamboo border In plain white sets, or inlaid with mar
qucterc in Italian work. There is a tendency to
Romanesque STYLES in bedroom furniture. This de-
mands strict carrying out OF the
doctrine enuncatcd years ago by East
lake. that every decorative feature must be traced
to decorative purpose The new furniture does not
In any way resemble the ungainy lumber soiu le"
years since in this country as Eastlake furhture'
for which the Engllshman frequently and vchcmenty
dsclaimcd all responsibility Much Of the designs
recently used are pure sheraton patterns, noteworthy
for fine lines and finish and simple decorative detail.
White maple Is an expensive wood; the best sets OF
this wood. which with bamboo border are
1925 for three pieces. Other sets are T2oo ana up
ward, but include more pieces. The English dressing
table set substitutes high chest OF drawers anu
low dressing table Of wood. or an upholstered table ior
the bureaua fancy which is popular "a some OF the
bureaus have reached such a huge size that thcy
too large for any small country house. cheval
glass. which may cost from $50 upward, according
10 the variety Of the wood, usually accompanies an
English bedroom set. There have been some low
and broad English dressing tables made recently, mp
holscrc in Duchcssc style in tapestries and hnishcd
with top composed of heavy slab OF plate glass
large Phychc mirror, in three folds. rests on the
table and Is framed in gilt and set with three large
candclabra. The table is low enough for the owner
10 arrange her hair before It with ease. while sitting
\ large monogram or crest wrought in silk or metal
is embroidered on the tapestry beneath the plate
glass top.
The half tester or canopy. which drapcs the brass
bcdstcad, Is growing in favor. An old time valance
is used in England. but this has not yet been thor
Ourhy adopted here. The tcstec may be covered
with India silk in any dainty convcntionalzed flower
or set design. In color harmonzng with the tint' of
the room. \ great deal Of individual tastc IS used
In selecting the bcdcovcring. A simple way is To
cover the bed In plain India silk covered comfortable
Of down. and upholstcr the round day bolster in the
same material; lace coverlct or one Of scrm and
lace IS then thrown over both. still another fancy
Is TO npholstcr the bolster and cover it separately
with lace and scrim muslin. The covcrlct IS often
cut up at the corners TO allow the bed cover b. fall
low all sides. An artistic fashion Of settling this
problem IS The Of embroidered covcrct Of linen.
which Is usually I'm a gray shade Just on pure whit"
Such cOvcrct Is embroidered in all over pattern.
In medallion design and finished with hem stitched
hem. which Is allowed 10 show and Is In some cases
edged with lace An embroidered scarf Of linen Is
sometimes used over the bolster in addition to the
countrpanc. Dainty olive green blue linen.
broidcrcd with white. are used for this purpose
Beds sometimes finished with a day bolster and
counerpanc of figured India silks but this Is not de-
slrabc II the bod is also drapcd with India silk 80
monotony Of effect always TO be avoided In house
furnishing. \ little bed time table Is in kidney
shape. in white and gold. with It's Adam railing ot
brass. Sometimes little hour glass stand Of India
silk or crct"nnc muslin Is used TO hold the bed
timc candlestick or dainty night lamp Of fine porcc
Lain. convenient addition u bedroom Is a boot
ana shoe closet, tall. slender piece
OF furniture Ike cOmmodc. with shelves
cosumcr slender standing rack to hang clohc, OF
at night. When not In use IL may be set away In
closet The chairs Of a bedroom made with light
rush bottoms and rather tail backs. low rockers.
Dining room scts are shown chiefly in antique oak
and mahogany. The sdcboard and china closet are
now mounted on high spindle legs. in Queen Anno
fashion and a broom Will readily reach beneath them
housekccpers. The top of the buffet low and simply
furnished with plate glass mirror at the back and
usually has "a single shelf 1t IS no longer an elabo-
rate cabinet fpr the display ~ lrc brac. bnt an
ample board for the family plate. The newest side
boards finished with curved Chppcndalc fronts The
china closet is no more occasional piece Of furniture
but 10 has aacn its place with the sideboaid sccond
only to it In importance The corner china closet
though convenient when it is desirable to economic
{. ..i.t rl
closet which placed against rc side Of the wall and
has mirrorcd back and plate glass front and side, to
display IT. contents. is a very decorative piece ~
furniture. and may cost. ACCORDING to rs s'lc from
so to over SiOo. The hnudsomc't closets have
shelves Of plat" glass. The long Gothic hinge is u-cd
again on dining room sidcboars and there arr many
tall backed chair, upholstered In tapestries which be-
long 10 the same period The new dining chair are
all quite tail al tie back. When not upholstered IN
leather tapestry they finished with ruth bottom
seats. The dinner table remains low and square.
The number and style Of tables for paror lrica hrac
and occasional NO are many. There are little First
Empire table. iniid with bras, work. the top, II
which open and disclose hollow rcccptaclcs for choice
Bit Of bric brac anything the owner chooses.
There are Ncrni, Martin tables. In shield shape heart
shape or clover shape. There are Waite and gold
tables IN dainty, square, straight legged colonial
style. There the lovclic,t little French work
ladies ni IVORY white painted with garand> of UuNcrr
and finished with top Of bcvccd glass showing the
Interior lined with tuftcd satin. These tables range
from SO to So. according to their finish Very
pretty simple wood tables may be found al - Chinese
tcak~ood tables are 10 upward. odd chairs
much sought as ever. few litllc gildci
chairs with rush bottoms are purchased
to fit in different places In the drawing
room. the reception room. the guest chamber Cor
ncr chairs arc found in gold with cushion, OF Louis
Y r..ter .Ie in Atrip DItft
in natural color or lifted up in white and gold such
"A chair costs about 80. in white and gold finish
There many old fashioned. straight backed
chairs with seats Of woven cane for the piazza and
which begin in price low ~ 80 apiece. High
backed broad seated piazza chairs OF this kind
~. Chinese rattan chairs which are usually moro
picturesque In shape than American rattan. im-
ported into this country In limited quantity. very
good shape called the library char,7 always DO
found at the opening Of the summer season. when |
importers bring over their stock Of summer cottage
goods There are also some high backed shapes I'M