Morning journal and courier., 1891-09-26
DECORATED PIANOS.


 The fancy for shutting off one angle of a large room by means of screens and dra- peries, thus forming what is known as q corner, seems to find much favor. In this nook is wide window seat, or divan, heaped with soft cushions, or an easy chair beside small set of shelves, whereon are ones favorite books-choice friends with whom one may go into retreat and forget the worlds frets and hurry: here, little stand with it's softly shaded reading lamp, or the pretty tea table with it's display of dainty china. Here one may "sometimes counsel take and sometimes tea," confi- dences may be offered and lovers find op- portunity to exchange those delightful trivialities "of no value to any but the owner"
 As 8 screen or partition for forming such cozy corner an upright piano lends itself with much dignity and effectiveness It is turned at right angles with the wall, an arrangement very satisfactory to the instrument and to musicians, to singers especially who dislike to throw their voices against repelling or deadening wall space.
 This arrangement exposes the back of the piano, which in an upright is unsightly at the best, the manufacturers seeming to consider that if the front and sides present an elegant and polished appearance all re- uuirements have been satisfied as far as the case is concerned. In passing it may be allowable to say that it is often desirable to be possessed of some articles of furni- ture with backs which the owner need not be ashamed to display. Most movables, with the exception of chairs and tables, seem to be intended to remain permanently against a wall, and never by any chance allowed to exhibit their rough backs, disfgured hole. Less of filagree and more honest ture to be placed most advantageously in and convenience of the occupant.
 The back of the piano must necessarily be draped, for concealment and protection, and here is opportunity for the taste of the home decorator to distinguish itself. Sometimes brass rod is screwed near the top of the back and from this curtain of soft silk hangs in folds to the floor, the rod being passed through shirring in the silk. More elaborate drapings are of silk damask or velvet, or of Roman sheeting embroidered in odd and fanciful designs. Sometimes the embroidery is introduced only in one oA cAo uPPSA SSAASAo, Sooo oSoASoH ScAAS Q that of harp and scroll with floating curves, as of ribbons, or geometrical de- vices may be placed irregularly over the whole surface. Some beautiful material, figured or embroidered, may be draped by drawing it over the rod to hang in seemingly unstudied folds with carelessly graceful effect. The scarf over the top of the piano should be of some harmoni- ous fabric and it is possible to arrange a covering for both back and top with one piece, this being kept in place by few pieces of bric- -brac, heavy enough to hold it, and firm enough not to respond with rattle and jar to the vibrations of the instrument. These hangings make a charming background for the table which with it's pretty furnishings forms an inn portant adjunct to such ''corner." The square piano is too large to be used and decorated in this manner, though one end of it might be utilized in the arrange ment of corner. Its glory seems to have quite departed, dealers selling over ninety per cent more of the upright than of the square style. Now that it is out of favor ! it is easy to revile it as numbering and awkward, and it has even been irreverent- | ly spoken of as "a bow-legged megathe- rium."
 As for the grand, there seems to be a | 1anCY TOT COV6TluS lL ColAplCtcly WlGb l drapings of rich and heavy materials, ab- | surdly festooned, folded and rosetted. So | shrouded, it very much resembles cata- l falque, or, better yet, the favorite elephant | of a Rajah, down upon its knees and half | suffocated under it's progressively splendid trappings.
 HANDKERCHIEF BOXES.
 A very ornamental box for the toilet ta. ble may be made upon a foundation ot pasteboard, padded, perfumed and covered with delicately tinted plush and figured silk. For handkerchief box, procure g box of suitable size, square or oblong separate all the pieces and cover them witt the plush, stretching it smoothly and glu ing it down on the inside, letting it lap al least a quarter of an inch. The side pieces are then sewed together into shape and the bottom, which may be covered with silesia
 is sewed to these. The top is attached tt the sides by two straps of strong ribbon
 glued firmly to form the hinges.
 For the lining of the box prepare pieces
 of pasteboard an eighth of an inch mar
 rover than each of the outer pieces, anc
 cover them first with cotton batting be
 tween the layers of which sachet powde
 has been sprinkled. Over this stretch thu
 lining silk and with needle and threat
 catch it across from side to side. Sew tn
 sides of the lining to the box sides at tn
 top, holding the lining on the outside, thel
 turn it over and down into the box. Tn lower edges may be fastened down witt
 the glue. The pad for the bottom may b
 glued down, but if it is close fitit vii
 not require it. A lining pad fo
 the lid is made in the sam
 way but must be of the exact size of tn
 outside, and the edges of both are sewe' together, the stitches being concealed by full frill of lace caught up in festoons wit bows of ribbon The top of the box offer
 space for further ornamentation, bein
 embroidered with some pretty design, o the owners initials in script, or nor eim.,lv with a how of handsome ribbon