Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-19

come to my ears which will make one maiden
happy and is the proof of what affection can
accomplish. For six months past young girl
has been absent from her home, which is in one
of the small towns Of a northern state. 1t was
arranged that her home looming should be a
7 day'Or two before Christmas. loving mother
and father and home where good taste and
limited means went hand in hand are what
await her at the reunion.
Her own especial sauctum was a rather small
bed room furnished with old fashioned high
topped bed and plain washstand. A mirror of
small size hung over a table for dressing glass.
and an old carpet on the floor and several odd
chairs.
Some months ago an article in some paper
came to the mothers notice containing ac-
count OF how an unpromising bed room had
been modernized and beautified by considera-
Bile outlay of time and trouble, but little money.
Inspired by this and with ample time ahead to
do it in leisurely way. she undertook the
transformation of her daughters room against
her return, and the father hearing of the plan
lent his efficient aid toward successful result.
The IDEA of the room which had started her
thought was something of a guide and helped
in deciding what was the best plan in the pres
ent changes.
PAINTING THE FURNITURE WHITE
Of course with the prediction for white
furniture that now exists. it was settled at once
that everything paintable in the room must be
made ivory white fast as brushes could work
and paint could dry. Plain every day white
paint could be obtained in the village. but the
''Aspinall' enamel had to be ordered from
the city; however from reading, they knew Of
its merits. and n little goes far, SO the order
was sent and the finishing coat everything
was of this enamel, which makes amateur work
look twice as well as any other paint will. The
house was not old and the walls Of the bed
room had never been papered. now they re-
ceived kalsomining Of deep cream or
buff, which has soft, pretty tone
when finished. The woodwork of the room had
been drab, but now that was made white also,
and III contrast the buff wall is prettier still.
The bedstead was found to have the headboard
Joined in such way that the upper story of Or
namentation could be taken off entirely without
the least injury to the rest, and it greatly
improved in looks by this means. A cheap little
table was bought and also painted Some old
brackets were resurrected and likewise treated,
and then the real decoration Of the room be-
gan.
THE DRAPERY DECORATIONS.
As very little money could be spent for this pur-
pose and the village afforded nothing but cheese
cloth in the way of cheap material, the mother
sent to one of the larger cities for samples suit
able for her purpose. There came in response
out OF many others a soft cotton stuff, whit.
ground with vine running over it in yellow,
and a blossom of deeper tone at intervals. 1t
harmoniZed perfectly with the walls, was SO
cheap that a couple of dollars bought all that
Curtains of this pretty goods, with wide ruffles,
were soon at the two windows. looped
back with bands of the same, and
with outstanding ruff1e at the top, and wide
shirring. slipped over narrow strip of wood.
and tackled to the window frame. First of all
the goods had been found washable. so it could
be used with impunity, it was worthy the
work put on it. Over the white washstand
shirred splashe- of il protected and decorated
the wall; on the table under the mirrow. which
WAS now white, there was cover with frille
nine inches deep all around, and over the little
white-framed looking glass rod came out at a
RIG hit angle to the wall, and long curtains. like
the cover, fell down each side to the floor.
The bed having side pieces, SO that the clothes
were tucked in, was left in the old way of
ranging it, and plain white bedspread and
white pillow cases looked better than any more
fanciful adornment would have done.
SCREEN ARRANGED.
three-fold clothes horse was painted white
with the other things, and shirred panels like
the curtains were put in, while the screens
placed by the washstand concealed it partly
and gave it a desirable air of secusion. The
toilet set an old-fashioned, plain white one,
30 no change was needed TO make that suitable.
A white mating of the inexpensive kind Was
laid on the floor, with only one rug by the
bed. The mother longed for white goatskin.
but, as that was out of the question, her in
ventive genius was put to work to devise
something that was as cheap possible
and yet would tone with the room in color and
be pleasant for the first step from a warm bed.
She had some old threadbare Brussels carpet,
and from this she cut a length one and q half
yards long She then bought golden brown
double-faced canton flannel, one and three
quarters yards, and sewed it to the old carpet
ing, leaving little extra at each end, which
she cut into strips, making fringe. In several
places the canton flannel was tackled to the car
peting to prevent its slipping and rumpling,
the lacking being from underneath, and no
stitches showed on the right side.
>. ARRANGING THE PICTURES.
The brackets were put on the walls in suita-
bic places and then the pictures were arranged.
There is really no excuse for q room being
pictureless now, with all the pretty prints in
papers, magazines and even advertisements:
but frames for even the best mount up in ex-
pense too fast for every one to indulge in them,
though most people have on hand q collection
OF the pictures This was the case in the house
I speak Of, and SO the mothers ingenuity and
taste again came to the fore. Two or three
sheets Of fresh water color paper were bought,
the pictures were selected and also the best
places for them.
As there were plenty OF the prints these were
grouped, q number in space, and fastened to
the wall by gimp tacks. Before mailing them,
however, wide mats Of the white water color
paper were cut Tor each one, this recurring
measurements and exactitude.
The pictures then being tackled in place the
mat was put over it and brass thumbscrews
put into each corner. or il more seemed neces-
sary they were put like q mitering from each
corner to the angle Of the inner opening.
1t was astonishing what q good appearance
| the wide white margins made on the buff wall,
and, the pictures being well chosen, the effect
was excellent On the white chairs seats of the
brown canton flannel were tackled, showing a
margin OF woodwork around them and finished
with gimp and brass tacks. On the little white
table soft, careless drapery of buff batiste was
held in place by a tall brass candlestick and
small yellow bowl for flowers. Some shelves
on the wall, put up by the father
and painted white, hold all the bookslmost noe
essary for the young occupants pleasure
Everything is now done and waiting for the
happy time when the young mistress shall APP
pear to claim her own, but many times every
day the parents look In to be sure that ali il
finished and gaze with pleasure on their work
and talk Of the day next week when il is hoped
all their fond anticipations will be realized
The town is 80 far from here that no secret win
be betrayed by my telling in TEE STAR Of the
pretty enterprise.
A6PIxALI. ENANEI.
To tell OF further success Of aspinall enamel
havo just seen little screen which that has
made pretty. It 10 one Of the chesp. suisll