Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-05
Written for THE EVENING STAR.
ATTRACTIVE HOMES,
Ingenious Uses for Pretty Articles
Which Are Out of Style.

SOME SIMPLE DECORATIONS FOR THE TABLE
MAKING cozY NoOKs OF BARE PLACEs-REGIs-
TER SCREENS AND DAINTY BOOK sHELyEs-AS
EASTER ENTERTAINMENT.
W2zzzZm AME fashion is always saying farewell
a "a to articles that previously she has
m smiled upon; but this is not an inva-
I'LL riable sign and token that she has
c. done with them forever For
another use or in another form thoy may be again
sought after and made popular by her within.
At one time silk handkerchiefs were among the
prettiest and daintest of toilet accessories.
The fancy for them having passed nothing was
SO by-gone or overlooked as these whilom IA
vorites. Now behold them again to the fore.
but not as formerly, TO be tucked IN the dress
front or in an artessly artful manner TO set of
a dark costume with their delicate or vivid coll
orlng. Now their mission is in the gastrcnomic
line and as dinner table decorations they are
prepared to do yeoman service. According to
the preference for green this spring, rs M
lures accompaniment TO all other flower
colors, green silk kerchiefs are in great reqUi-
sition. These are often folded SO to resem-
bic large leaves and in them are LAID the
loosely tied punches of flowers. Iilacs and
yiolets make the most striking and favorite
coloring. but other flowers are often used as
well. Prmroses, cowslips and daffodils are
equally pretty where yellow decorations are
carried out The bouquets may be placed at
the corners Of the table. with center ornament
resting on pale green silk, also carelessly
draped. If preferred. the smaller punches
OF flowers at each plate may be
laid into a small handkerchief ar
pretty way to use silk handkerchiefs is with
small baskets with high handles. Fill the bas-
kets with narcissus for instance, or any flower
with stiff stalk. then set the basket in a silk
handkerchief of a delicate yellow, carrying two
ends of il up over the handle, where it is tied
in knot. This is a very good arrangement
and gives much of color effects for small ont
lay of trouble or expense. Another idea car
ries out or suggests
THE FRENCH RIBBON DESIGN,
which is used much in many ways at
present. The corsage bouquets are tied with
rather narrow green ribbon-a pale green
being prettier than deeper, darker shade.
These ribbons are loosely twisted together SO
that seemingly the bouquets are all connected,
making garland of flowers and ribbons en-
circling the whole table.
Frenchy device which people have been
bringing home from Paris is the perfumed
pencil This comes IN a little metal case
which slips into a second one for protection,
and by marking on the inside o: the gown with
it here and there one is enabled to carry about
ones favorlte flower perfume in a subtle form.
For the holding of perfumed powder 1T is now
quite the lnlnS 10 nave saucerleSS cup OF
line china sitting on the toilet table. silver
handled puff brings it into harmony with the
other silver knlck-knacks and in this way a
fashion is made of a truly economic idea.
Almost every one has one of these
widowed cups of more or less beauty. Win Oh
would only DE in a cabinet sad reminder OF
misfortune.
AN EFFECTIVE CORNER ARRANGEMENT.
Among other corner arrangements, which
are SO much effected at this time are the plac-
ing of two objects on or against the side walls
of a room, so to meet at the angle of the
corner, such as two small sofas or two large
chairs making divan effect. Two hanging
book shelves are hung on the wall SC that thew
meet at the corner, giving unique appear
ance. table with lamp and magazines and
easy chair in such eighborhood would make a
coy little library out Of one corner of room,
devoted, perhaps. TO quite other purposes as TO
the rest of 1t. The corner dIyan in such
place might be made b. putting two steamer
trunks IN the angle and laying mattress on
top. This idea has been successfully carried
out for couch where the space admitted OF
putting them end to end and where they were
needed Tor slowing away seldom used articles
of apparel.
SCREEN FoR A REGISTER.
In certain room the paper around the reg
lister was much soiled and spoiled where the
register had been reset in changing the heat
some time there no likelihood of matching
the paper, and as the register was set in the
middle of the chimney under the mantel il was
quite unsightly. After being annoyed for some
time with II the occupant of the room devised
little screen that decidedly improved the
vicinity. She bought a section OF japanese
fretwork and taking it to a. carpenter had
II set into a firm standard, son ething
plain but substantial. This was put in front OF
| the register. leaving space between to open
and close it. The perforated screen made no.
hlncrance to the hot air passing through,
while it was such an improvement on the regis
ter as an ornament that the change was most
satisfactory. The furniture and wood work of
the room being light the uncolored fretwork
was chosen. Cherry stained would look bet
ter in some rooms or it might be painted to
correspond with any light wood work. Ii is
not often that there would be such q cause for a
screen, but many people object TO the looks of
register any way and employ various devices
for covering 1t.
AGooD PLACE FOR BOOK SHELVES
Where the register is set in the side wall
shelves may be put above at a distance of three
feet from the floor. single shelf is used it can
be fastened to the wall with iron brackets and
covered with plush or any heavy material
b-ass rod is then run around the three sides
and q curtain of some fabric thin enough for
the heat to pass through. like silk or silkoline,
is hung on IL long enough to reach the floor
Ornaments are set on top of the shelf and con-
cealed treasures suggested by the curtains II
more OF book case is wanted have board nm
rights with cleats inside to put shelves on.
Have the lowest one three feet from the floor
with curtains hanging as in the other
one, but with several shelves above
flled with books and any pretty ornaments for
the top. These boards can be stained or COW
cred with felt or mating. or course they
would want to be considerably longer than
would be necessary to merely conceal the reg
lister, and to add few shelves beneath the
curtain at the side of the register would econ
omize space and be q convenient place to stow
away magazines or papers
Book shelves built around corner are quite
effective often. II the sides Of the angle are
uneven the book case looks all the prettier