Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-19
How to Make an Economical Change
in the Appearance Of q Room.
R EADY FOR AUTUMN.
Altering the FurnishinEs Of . Roon-sorns
Simple Devices Artistically Executed What
10 Do with Bureau That WIN Not Fit Its
Rropsr P1acs.


easier when the air IL fresh and the nights Of
rest delightfully."- cool, and tho interest. renewed
each season, in making and keeping our homes
- attractive as possible will not flag now.
small room has recently received some Cd.
dftions and subtractions, in the way Of
farnishingy, which have made 1t look cozy
and inviting at little expense, for the
principal improvement was the outcome of a
happy thought" which involved no outlay Of
money, but only little trouble, and was an in
stance Of the benefit Of subtraction.
pRrrriLr FURNISHED.
This room being small had been furnished,
like some unfortunate children. with the cast-off
belongings Of alsrger sister. 20 TO speak, and the
furniture was rather too big to be q good At;
still 1t seemed likely to stay there for . time
longer, 80 ingenuity was brought to bear upon
1t, with good result.
The bed and bareau are OF light wood. and
while the double bed Is sometimes an accom-
modation when this additional yuest room is
occupied. the bureau has been an aggra walton,
Tor 1t would not at squarely into the only space
reserved for it, and so must set across the cor
ner, greedily taking up much more than its
While looking at IL with great dissatisfaction
the other day It occurred to the presiding
genius Of the household that it could be
changed for the better, and in o way she had
never thought Of until that minute.
AN INGENIOUS CHANGE.
The space where 1t ought to at was between
the mantei and end wall of the room, where
there is gaslight for evening and q window
near for daylight and on looking II was seen
that it would be possible for the bureau itself to
set in this little alcove, but the framework hold
ing the swinging mirror interfered. The glass
is large one, just about square, set in plain
nat FRAME in good taste, but the framework
which supported this had always offended by
its accommodation, and now the idea of
dispensing with that altogether first was
thought Ut. 1t was very easily done, as Il was
screwed to the bureau at the back and the
glass hung by screws. SO it was quickly apart
the bureau in its niche, and the glass hung
fiat on the wall above it, all looking vastly
better for this little change and considerably
pretty paper is on the wall, OF greenish tone,
with pink in the frieze. To increase the green
effect a mating with some of that color in it
has been put all over the floor and two small
rugs only laid over it, one by the bed Of white
goatskin, the other by the wash stand, one in
which green predominates
The bed is left as formerly, but made up
with white spread and pillows 1t looks inviting
and fresh, and some day it will be replaced by
smaller white one with brass trimmings
probably. The wash stand, like the mirror
framework, was banished, and table Of larger
top surface used instead. This is draped with
white dotted muslin over white, with full
shirred splashes Of the same above it, and on
the stand is toilet with rather dark green
decoration. The window, which is o sunny
south one, has long curtains of the dotted
muslin with wide frills OF plain muslin down
the front and across the bottom. tied back with
wide sashes OF the plain also In big ''Yum-yum"
bows. At the top. instead Of being fastened
with rings to the rod, a small brass rod is set
two inches below the top OF the window frame,
and the curtain shirred onto that, with two
inch standing rufae for heading. A sash cur
tain of the plain null hangs full across the
lower sash, a. the room 10 too near other win.
dows not to want such seclusion.
THE WASH STAND,
I should have said, has shorter rufie, seven
inches deep, as a finish at the top over the
dotted one, which hangs to the floor.
The bureau cover is of the dotted null, edged
on the three sides with aseveu-inch- wide rufde,
Of the plain null likewise. which hangs down
all around, the dotted spread covering all the
bureau top. OF course this has to Be raised
when the upper drawer 10 opened. but that is .
| small matter compared with added graceful,
dainty effect Of this soft fall of null The
glass is nearly as wide as the bureau, and to
have seen the bureau in its pristine state il
would nothave seemed possible that such little
change could so transform it. for now 1t has .
| style OF its own--and a pretty one, too. The
pincushion on the bureau il q round, rather
high, but small one, with top of dotted muslin,
and deep frill of plain like the cover; pale
green baby ribbon 10 run in several castings at
the top Of the frill, drawing it up to fit the
cushion, while the ribbon is tied in a full
rosstte bow on the side. One Of the brush and
comb trays Of linen duck, worked in green and
tied with green ribbons. is on this bureau with
small silver trays and q few odd pieces, the
silver and green looking in pretty contrast
THE SHELF,
which, supported by brackets, answers for man
tel, has green India silk of soft grayish shade
draped carelessly on it, few ornaments hold
ing IL in place. The little rocking chair has a
seat and back Of similar shade Of corduroy
tied with ribbons. 1t is all very simple, little
has been expended upon il, but every one who
sees it exclaims at its dainty attractivensss.
A novelty in the way Of framing pictures for
the walls is in contemplation. and II success
fully carried out I will tell the sequel to this
little tale.
AousnaoLp TASTE
should be cultivated, for SO much more can be
done with taste and little money than with
money and little taste, there being no COMPARE
son In the results as applied 10 home dscors-
ton.
Among minor articles Of convenience in an
attractive form are the little bottles, for travel
ing use especially. inciosed in . wicker case and
with an extra metal screw top, SO that liquids in
| trusted to this double security may be put into
| ones travelling bag. or even trunk, with i'm
punity, secure that no accident will happen in
consequence. In fact, bottles and tasks of eli
sizes are made now IN such pretty shapes, and
finished in such attractive ways, that they are
quite fascinating. Glass ones for every possible
use, down to tiny phials, have silver tops In all
| sorts Of pretty designs.
Some are covered entirely with silver in
| flower and leaf patterns, showing the glass a. o
background to this open-work silver outsids;
some In this style are TASKS, some tall, grace
full bottles for the dressing table, and others
| are low and small for the same purpose The
wicker in those have noticed 10 colored black
and red, giving checked Or notified appear
anos, and thus no discoioration from using can
como to them, ~ would be the case If ia the
natural state.
NOVEL TEA cLoTH.
A friend was asked advice 40 to tea cloth.
wishing to make one herself, and not being
equsl to the hne embroidery which IL usually
| lavished upon them.
Something quite novel, and which any one
capable OF using needle at all might achieve
would be cloth Of linen or damask. square
large enough to cover small table and nearly
touch the hoof on the four sides. Very fine
damask would be rather prettier than linen,
possibly.
Spread the danaask on the table for which il
| te intended and crease line Just at the edge Of
the top OF the table all around-take it OF and
| lay IL on larger table and four inches below
| the crease baste an inserting OF any handsome
and suitable lace, about two and . half inches
| wide, mttering the lace at corners.
| 4 hemstitched hem is preferred for the
Il Asss- ~ 49, IA - a