Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09
Written for The Evening Star.


u decoration there are numberless things
which, though not intended primarily for that
purpose, are suggestive Of ways and means
whereby they may be made available. II needs
quick eve and lively imagination sometimes
to see the possibilities in rather unpromising
materials, but many 9 good result has been
achieved with such natural equipment One
hears OF charming things accomplished maybe
while In an isolated country place. the village
store being the only resource for supplies. II
really seems sometimes as il restrictions only
spurred ones ingenuity and better results are
sometimes the outcome in consequence.
For summer homes two styles Of furnishing
come prominently to the fore, one the Japa-
nese treatment of stamped chintz and cotton
rugs, the other blue denim. Both are effective
and have their claims to attention. The stamped
chintz Is very attractive and can be used in q
variety OF ways, while the cotton rugs are as
satisfactory as possible. There is a choice.
however. in them as to their serviceableness
some OF them retaining their good looks much
Longer than others.
DIFFERENcEs IN RUGS.
Several years ago two were bought by the
| same person at the same time, one being in q
pattern suggesting-probably imitating-a Per-
sian rug, and the other quite in an eastern
prayer rug design with gray and brown border
and center Of peacock blue This latter one
was very pretty, and il SO exactly suited a
blue bed room in the house the purchaser took
| 1t, though with an inward demur as the color
seemed likely to prove a somewhat feeting one
In cotton. The other rug however. was con-
sldered to have its durability established with
out question: as its subdued colors seemed to
carry their guarantee with them. Exactly the
contrary result occurred, however and today
the blue rug looks almost precisely as il did
when 1t was bought, while the other is dingy
and almost ugly in appearance The blue one
mas mad more light upon il always. and the
other has perhaps been walked over a little
more than the blue, SO average has been
maintained. These rugs were - apiece, be-
lieve and the blue one especially was well
worth 1t, Tor It correspondent with a room
which is in difficult color to suit and is of a
good size, by 21S feet These rugs come large
enough to cover whole floors and are good for
summer houses and are quite reasonable In
price.
GOLD STAMPED cHINTzEs
The gold stamped chintzes with medium
dark grounds are very pretty, and good many
uses can be made Of them.
have seen one piece with fawn ground and
quite large set in gold figures rather far apart
which was to be used box plated valance
to small corner divan, with a Turkey rug
laid over the seat and hanging down in
point over the valance. Loose pillows to
the extent OF about four could be piled
up on it, one to be covered with the
chintz and the others in other coloring, and
this device is certain to make picturesque a
corner in little parlor which hitherto has
proved rather manageable. The japanese
chintz comes in both single and double width
and some seems thinner and more sheer than
Others. 1t is somewhat used for wall covering
In place of paper, the joining covered with
wooden holdings, but its use 10 not very gen.
eral In that way as yet
DENIM GROWS IN FAVOR.
Denim seems rather to grow in favor than
otherwise, and it almost leads in cheap and
durable material for effective decoration and
furnishing. The Associated Artists have made
OF 1t an art material but naturally after arriv-
ing at that distinction. its price must be some
what in excess OF what il is when in its pristine
state. They ask rs cents per yard for the denim
with designs white on it, which could be effect
lively combined with plain and cheaper goods
| If desired. Rugs Of denim are in use for sum-
mer cottages, sometimes the edge being turned
up onto the right side to form a border. hear
OF these, and should think they might be yery
satisfactory. India China in very pretty shapes
| can be gotten for either use or decoration where
these blue furnishings nre used, or il one wants
contrast the Portuguese and South American
pottery, in the soft dull reds can be effectively
| combined with the dark blue of the denim.
STRIPED AWNING CLOTHS
81
shows striped awning cloths, which are printed
on the wrong side, which softens the color,
with designs in color which make most attrac
| tive goods for furniture covering and hangings
| Some are in blue and some tawny yellow
striped with cream. Several designs are shown,
and they are decidedly novel in appearance
There is also charming design in several
colors stamped upon hne cream-white cheese
CLOTH which would make lovely curtains for
cottage windows. One in sage green is particu-
larly cool and attractive looking. The same
pattern in rich yellow is also very pretty and
In many ways can be used to advantage. These
pretty cheese cloths are 80 cents q yard, and I
should think would be very popular for sum-
| mer draperies.
For the first time I heard lately Of cream
white seersucker, with the crinkled, striped
| surface, being used for interior decoration.
Sash curtains have been made Of them, and
| should think would answer the purpose well:
only cents yard having been paid for the
goods. should think il would be equally good
| for long curtains also.
AN INGENIOUS DEVICE
I saw recently description Of . device 70
break up the monotony Of long and often mar
row rooms. This pole, like Q curtain rod,
fastened at right angles with the side wall at a
height SO that drapery will hang well from it
say, as high as the door frames. From this any
kind OF hanging may depend. which may be
|
fashion. The rod should be long enough SO as
to form a corner with the adjoining wall space,
each side Of the hanging, and the arrangement
Of these improvised corners may be similar to
those made by the angles of the room. One
difference exists, however, and that il, the
curtain will not give any stability, as the
wall does, and o corner seat, for in
stance. will have to be dispensed with.
| There are, however. other ways Of furnishing
these places, such rs having tea table and two
low chairs grouped together cozily, or q corner
| cabinet with ottoman near, or q divan may
be placed against the side wall, little distance
| from the curtain, and coffee table in the cor
ner nook beside it. On the other side Of the
hanging Q palm on low table stool and an
| easy chair beside it would be a good balance
and the effect of all be far preferable 10 the un-
broken stretch Of side wall that previously ex-
listed.
| NOVEL wAY TO TREAT A CORNER.
A novel way Of treating . corner where Q
small angle is left, an archway on one side and
recessed window on the other curtailing its pro-
portions, il to have small cupboard built with
swell front The height 10 just right to make
the top serve ~ Q pedestal for q handsome
large jar. The cupboard below has door set
rather irregularly at one side and with wrought
iron hinges reaching across in . decorative
manner. little carving is on the wood and