The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-19
WHAT ABOUT THE FLOORS?

Hints for Covering Them~The Advantages
of Rugs.
One of the first questions to be consld-
cred in furnishing a room, saws writer on |
household topics, is, "What shall be done
with the f1oor?' and in most instances the
matter of expense must enter largely into
the decision of the question. For those
who prefer the old fashioned plan of car
pet covering the whole floor, it is stated
that carpets are now cheaper than they
ever we're. In any large city house pretty
good Brussels may be got for less than
dollar, and nice quality of ingram for
seventy-tive cents. A small patterned car
pet is the best to buy, particularly If it has
to be made at home, as the sides are more
easily matched and it will cut to better ad-
vantage whenever it has to be refitted or al
tered for another room. Do not select too
dark q carpet. It is n mistake to think that
il wears better or looks better when worn.
| Neither ID true. A lighter carpet does not
show dust or dirt SO easily, and a stain does
not look so glaring as it does on darker
color. There is carpeting that is used
now, known to carpet men as ''stage car
pet" It It, j; an .o ingram, ns,or, closely sssy
Is. the effect Is that Of a solid
color. on examining it closely it presents a
mottled appearance. 1t Is. OF course, re-
versible, and being plain colored needs no
matching at all. II ID inexpensive, as it is a
yard wide and IS cents yard. This Is
used on floors as a sort of background, rugs
floor warmly covered beneath them. The
colors are all good and in great variety. in
GLIDING all shades of olives and green, black
and pale gray. nearly white; all shades,
new and old. of red, blue, yellow and brown.
Thus wide choice Is given and the carpet
furnish parlor cheaply. but who prefer a
carpet. The rugs can be added afterwards,
whenever wished.
It has become very common to paint
floors and lay rugs about, or have carpet
covering the center of the room. This pos
sesses many advantages. 1t is clean, health
full, and the rooms are easily swept and kept
in order, dust not collecting or sticking al
it commonly does on carpet, no matter
how often it is cleaned. The staining ant
painting can be easily done by an amateur
no matter how green" lit he will remem
} Der to paint with the grain OF the wood a
, the materials can now be readily bought Il
any paint shop, all ready for use and at YER
moderate prices. There is great difference
!, in floors; those where the boards are clos
!, and we'll fitted can be made to look muc
:, handsomer when painted than uneven
= loosely -matCneu OF slehou DOdius.. ~
h not much use trying to make such floor
q look we'll bare. In painting floor for tn
first time, several coats of paint will b
9 necessary. The first coat seems +
v sink into the wood and leav
:. not much trace behind. But when you wis
n to repaint an old painted door one coat wi
II give quite handsome, glossy appearance
~ Painting a floor In this way and layin
= down a central carpet or rugs will be foun
y a very satisfactory treatment for dining
n rooms or bedrooms. 4 kitchen needs n
= rugs, and a good painted floor is the be:
- and most durable.
it The dark. plain-colored mattings al
a. much used. These can be got at low pric,
, and make pretty and good covering II
" floors. In winter rugs are used with the
r for warmth. This is much like
al for bedrooms, bat mating
" not very durable for room
u that are in constant use. The mating
y easily swept and kept clean on the surfac