Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-22

OF MATING RUGS.
~LACK gowns and punches of violets-
A4these are what meet ones eyes on the
streets these Lenten days. Violets
q Vand spring naturally go together and
~ while they are the only permissible
flower for street-wear at any season, they are
more universally used as the air grows balmy
and the pale green leaves begin to appear on
trees and shrubs. This coloring of nature
green and purple-is the key to combination
to be very much affected by the fashionable
world as the season goes on. When nature is
taken for a model the colors never clash-vio-
lets and their leaves are in perfect harmony
As the tones for costume they are only the
old revived again-nothng is absolutely new.
When Laura first dawned upon Petrarch's
vision she wore a gown of green velvet looped
with punches Of violets.
ON THE TABLE.
The same colors which are effective for cos
tuning are equally so in table decoration. A
most charming springlike arrangement would
be to have pale green silk muslin-an airy
fabric-carelessiy draped in the center of
dinner or luncheon table. On this set a cut-glass
bowl filled with violets with loose ones scat
tered over the folds of the green gauzy muslin.
Candles burning under violet shades would be
the prettiest way of lighting such table.
THE IMPERIAL PURPLE.
Vioiets have at different times been dis
tinguished by the special regard of two en-
presses of France-Josephine and Eusenie
Josephine always had the sweet little blossoms
about her, and they were a consolation in her
days OF trouble. In the height OF Eugenie's
popularity she received violet ovation. So
many punches were thrown to her that, piled
up, they reached to the ceiling. The balcony
where Eugene stood was almost buried under
the mass of howers-all violets-which came
tributes from her subjects. The great Napoleon,
too, made them a source Of interest when at
st. Helena, and finally. when his coffin was
carried to France it was literally covered with
the little purple flowers.
BoUDoIR IN spRINaLIKE rINTs.
Green alone or In combination is always
more brought forward in spring than at any
other time. boudor in this vernal tint has
draperies of mossy-looking turcoman, while
large lounge looks like a green mound with its
piles of cushions. The harmony is completed
by the pale green tea gown OF China silk worn
by the blonde mistress of this sylvan apart
ment
The fancy for green as a color even extends
to bonbons, those of pistache being in demand.
These, however, must not be served haphazard
on any dish that first presents itself. The tray
Of Japanese workmanship with gold etching on
what looks to be tortoise shell is what makes
An artistic color effect-ephemeral indeed if
the confectionery is of the quality it should be.
To BEAUTIFY FIREPLACE.
Greeuery to beautify fireplace in summer
may be made with growing vines and plants
without much trouble. Fill the CRATE opening
with large stones heaped irreguiarly to make
quite mound. The stones may be as orna-
mental in themselves as can be procured
Back OF them arrange pots or boxes:Of vines,
which, as they spread. will climb over the
rocks. which may be partly concealed with moss
Ferns in pots may be set among the stones and
by watering every day may be made to flourish
in way interesting to watch. This pretty
effect was seen in an old English manor house
and could be equally we'll arranged in a coun-
try house here.
Violet and green are even combined in those
important accessories to the toilet-bandker-
chiefs On violet Grape handkerchief is a
scalloped edge of green, vile single violets
with a tiny green leaf attached are sprigged all
over the kerchef.
A BAY WINDOW.
In beautiful house lately built is a novel
bay window effect as follows: There is only one
window, placed rather high in the center This
has silk sash curtains dra wn off each side A
wide shelf goes entirely across the bay under
this window, and forms dressing table. 4
small swinging mirror is set on it. In the
middle of the shelf space is left open for con-
venience In sitting at the toilet, while on each
side from floor to shelf are small drawers.
scarf lies on top of the shelf and the usual ac-
emulation OF knIck-knacks and ornaments are
scattered over it. l should have said the bay
window il a rounding one, thus cutting off the
angles of the shelf at the back at each end
This makes a very picturesque aid convenient
arrangement with good light for hair dress
ing. The English toilet tables are often placed
just IN front Of an ordinary window, spelling
the view but lnsurng plenty of light to the
dresser. Of course with bay window given
up thus to the dressing table there must be one
or more other windows in the room i'll order to
make 1t at all pleasant one.
SMOKING ROOM.
Among the articles that ebb and flow in pub
lie favor are Japanese fans as objects of deco
rative art. At one time nothing could excel
them In popularity. Now again they are used
and with good effect, too, i'll various WAYS
little smoking room could be titredu SO as to
have them quite picturesque feature of the
apartment. Have, for instance. wall paper
OF sage green with a frieze OF dark green. Over
the paper freiZe make another one by lacking
outspread folding Japanese fans close together,
tue dark green setting off the lighter coloring
Of the fans. Mating as dado, or rather wains-
coting, would look well with such freze
The mating would look best in the natural
tone with cherry molding a top finish.
The same mating on the floor with Turkey
rugs over IL would be effective or the floor
might have cherry stain and mating rugs be
used on that. Light wicker lounge with seat
and back cushions in old red and chairs-some
light rattan and some cherry stained
would make suitable and comfortable
furniture. At the windows band of
japanese fretwork would look pretty with
sash curtains of old red silk hanging below.
or course smoking room must be capable CT
being securely shut off from the rest OF the
house, but if feasible fretwork on the inside
of the doorway with Japanese bead portiere
would correspond with the rest of the fittings.
A pedestal lamp with red silk shade and some
Japanese ornaments, ash trays, &C.. would add
to the good appearance and convenience of the
room. Etchings framed in cherry molding
with rather wide white mats would .ook we'll
hung SO as TO rest on the wainscot moldinS,
and rs from time to time now ones added
hang them above these, grouping appropri-
ately. This implies a deep dado, that the
pictures just above the waiuscot como about
on the level of the eye. In this room there is
little drapery or upholstery to hold the smoke.
yet it has enough of color not to look too
neutral, while the cushions lounge and
chairs make them comfortable more regu-
larly upholstered ones. A table for writing,
books and papers should be provided, and not
put in order too often, for the smokers enjoy
ment.
MATING RUGS.
The mating rugs spoken Of were first intro
duced several years ago and are pretty for
many places and quite durable. They come in
small patterns in red and white and blue and