Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-11


up for the festive scenes Of winter. A general
scrubbing viii soon begin, II not already going
on, and the head Of the family, who sits at the
foot of the table, ID already cogitatins in his
mind - TO what excuses he can hatch up to be
absent during working hours" and most
easily effect An entrance into the family resi-
dsnce without the risk Of breaking his shins
over the numerous chairs, boxes and bundles
scattered here and there through the halls
until they can be replaced In their respective
Among the most important duties involved in
the process OF house rehabilitation In the fall
10 that OF the hanging Of curtains, for nothing
ADDS more to the appearance Of room than
we'll chosen and gracefully adjusted draperies.
A room furnished otherwise in . very simple,
unpretentious manner, having effective drape-
rles, presents . far more attractive look than
the most elegantly furnished apartment having
no hangings but stiff ungraceful blinds or
shades at the windows.
RANGE OF MATERIALS AND pEsIoNa
For both curtains and portieres there 10 .
vide range Of elegant materials which come in
piece goods as well - patterns. and ct present
soft, subdued colors predominant and are very
popular. The favorIte designs now are
oriental and floral while the geometrical have
many devotees. In the patterns there is often
combination Of two or more designs in one
pair, though Of course as TO which style lie best
taste depends largely upon the wall decora-
tions and other furnishings Of the room in
which they are to be used There are many
very rich, beautiful and expensive draperies
beyond tss reach Of even well-to-do people,
but they, and even the less fortunate than they,
need not be debarred from the qualification Of
their tastes, for there ID an abundance, and
this season moro than before, Of exquisite
medium-priced goods, by the judicious
use OF which just as graceful effects
can be obtained as from those Of finer quality.
Extremely handsome and expensive draperies
are in bad form when the other conditions are
not equally as handsome and expensive. The
art of discrimination has been educated greatly
In the past few years by the continual advance
ment in the aFtistic manufscture of fabrics and
s.Su,:'ss e g: s.s =, visitor will
- 1xs J - last attempt at
- - j fast, however,
~ ,N9p 1Dong manufacturers
Q4 70 r. ne art OF dyeing has
wealthy fsf expensive and tasteful Injuries in
draperies and furnishings it is also true that
their consummate artfulness has led them to
provide for those with moderate incomes the
same in less costly but equally as rich in rare
and beautiful designs and materials, and that
too, which when appropriately selected and
srrstically fashioned will no less captivate the
critics eye or afford as pleasing impressions as
the finer fabrics.
THE WINDOW CURTAIN.
While lace and muslin draperies for windows
retain their old-time popularity, and doubtless
always will with the majority Of people, yet
there 10 a constantly increasing number who
realize that the effect which they produce in a
room is not as agreeable and soothing as when
the glare OF the light is toned down by assist
ance from some delicate shade Of color. In
consequence, madras, India silk, cream lace
and colored muslin is much more in vogue now
than formerly. For . while no curtain met
with SO much favor or arose in 30 short time
to such popularity as the sash curtain. In
many instances they entirely superseded and
did away with the usual draperies, but this was
not intended-but was an innovation adopted
by overwhelming patrons or rs a matter of econ
omy. They will be used considerably this COM
be found in endless variety from India silk
down to eottons or cheese cloth, bright, pretty
and attractive.
THE PREFERABLE STYLE
viii be those suspended by . brass or nickel rod
running through Q shirr casing at the top,
bound on the inner edge with tasseled fringe
and draped to the side by q neat silken cord,
the bottom scarcely reaching the window sill.
The sash curtain, howe has reached its
climax, and the coming season will pass upon
its future and its further usefulness. Pretty
indeed 1t is, and dainty when marked by q
show OF refinement, but it's permanency an
institution 10 impaired by the disastrous effects
OF the hot sunshine upon the delicate colors
necessary to a pretty effect, causing them to
fade in an uneven and most aggravating way.
LONG WINDOW DRAPERIEs
are generally suspended from poles of metal
or wood in various designs, which harmonize
or should with the wood trimmings and other
furniture Of the room. The popularity of
ua nd GxSt uu.sh &kn.-
somber effects, have sadly waned- Here and
there We find set of old-fashioned cornices,
but either In possession Of some family who
cling to them In memory of other days or of
some partisan patron of the antique who has
rescued them from the junk shop.
Poles afford admirable advantages in adjust
ing the folds Of the curtain, the fullness of
which il usually disposed in side plaits held
firmly by hooks or pins. Where fine lace
madras or muslin is used, the more popular
way IL to shirr two or three times across, COM
mencing half an inch from where the top is
turned over and making the shirrs about three
inches apart The turned over part can be al
lowed to fall straight Or il can be caught up to
the shirring about eight inches from the inner
edge in fan-shaped adjustment
Batiste or scrim curtains still retain their
popularity for boudoir or chamber. Instead Of
lace and insertion trimmings it became fash
ionable year or so ago. and it is still in vogue,
to have threads drawn in spaces an inch wide
duo III ClustcIb VI tWO VI tilFeo spaces anu I'D
bon matching. The prevailing colors Of the
room are woven over and under evenly through
the threads in the spaces, and when looped
back a ribbon of the same color in Q broader
width is used.
ABOUT PoRTIEREs.
Portieres are usually Of heavy materials and
are generally suspended from poles resting
within the door frames. This way looks
equally we'll from both directions, but when it
is necessary to use portieres to exclude pOssi-
BILE draughts Of cold air it is better to rest the
poles upon brackets outside on the frames,
after the fashion OF long window curtains. 1t
is matter of taste whether portieres are left to
hang in straight folds or drsped back and
fastened with metal chains, heavy cords and
tassels or ribbon. In any event they should
barely touch the floor and not lie on it
There are many ways Of arranging portieres
Sometimes one hanging is Of India silk or silk
brocade and the other of velour, plush or some
other heavy material The former in this case
is draped and the latter allowed to hang
straight in graceful folds. Velour, which greatly
resembles chenille, is beautiful a. well as
durable. All draperies seem to have
AN AFFINITY FOB DUST
and . propensity for catching it both from
within and without doors. Consequently to
have curtains, portieres, &C., keep fresh ap-
pearance one must be on the alert to dislodge
it or prevent it from settling. Long or heavy
draperies being suspended by rings can be
taken down when room is being thoroughly
swept, but that is not always convenient, if at
all advisable. 1t is better and q comparatively