Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-20

NV ."( ne OF sue may % IN
"n\ 'E "Many men Of many
minds are looking forward to the exposition,
each with hopes of opportunities for enlarg-
ing knowledge and enjoying benefits in gen.
eral way besides the specialists who have been
mentioned.
For readers Of Attractive Homes whose
tastes lie in the direction Of kindred themes
and who are prospective visitors to the great
fair there is undoubtedly treat in store in the
many examples of interior furnishings, deco
rative art and woman's handiwork to be dis
played at that time.
IDEAS STRICTLY AMERICAN.
Especially will there be an interest in ideas
which are strictly American. and it is hoped
that something of originality may be evolved
instead Of refreshing the old world themes, that
80 far have been almost the sole basis OF in
terror decoration with us. Some Of the styles
are undoubtedly charming, but something
more distinctivcly adapted to and belonging to
our own country is desirable, and this seems
the opportunity to bring it forth. The whole
revival of taste and beginning Of popular
interest in the subject may be said to date
from our centennial exposition of 1876, and
wonderful strides in progress have been made
in the matter in the years intervening between
1876 and 1893. The eyes that see the wonders
OF this worlds fair will be more discriminating
ones than looked at the display of 76, almost be-
fore the dawn of the household art era, and
more educated judgment will enjoy and criti-
else what the eyes behold.
THE UNFORTUNATE PIER.
One OF the most suggestive articles on in
terror decration is that in recent journal en-
titled 1.-THE Unfortunate Pier" designating
thus the space-usually narrow-between win
dows in a room, which used to have for its
orthodox filling pier glass. scheme for
making attractive such spaces Is given, suita-
BILE for different rooms, that of the library be-
ing especially effective, high, narrow book
case. with open shelves on the three sides, fill
ing the width. The bookcase is deeper than
ordinarily. which gives room for the side
shelves, and on the side where the light comes,
on the left hand, lid falls to form a small
writing desk, with open cupboard and pigeon
holes above, concealed by it when closed The
depth of the side shelves gives plain surface
Of that width each side Of the front shelves
which are recessed slightly. and on this surface
is an excellent place for hanging small pic
lures. one above another, making an effective
decoration. While taking a little more floor
space than q common bookcase, it requires less
than a chiffonier or even cabinet, and is capa-
BILE OF being charming piece of furnishing,
with variations, whether it is a supplement to
other bookcases or the only one in the room.
IT COULD BE MADE AT HOME.
The top will accommodate number Of
ornaments, and it ia not so high but that
picture is we'll hung above, and though it would
look best made by an expert workman it is
very suggestive to household genius also, and
l even think might be evolved by boxes, as was
the little bookcase successfully made and
described some time year or SO ago. clever
boy or ingenious woman could by choosing the
right shaped boxes and painting, staining
covering with mating. or better vet, lincrusta
Walton, am sure make an effective arrange
ment like this, the only complicated part being
the hinged lid for writing, which might be dis
pensed with, but would probably be managed
by any one handy with tools, or by carpenter.
Lincrusta in cream white, brown or dark
bronze green would be very good, and could
not be very expensive in the narrow pieces de-
sired. A beading or molding would be needed
to finish each shelf and the little writing desk
could be daintily outtitted with Dresden china,
also OF home manufacture, If possible.
HOW TO DISPLAY HANDSOME RUGS.
A novel arrangement Of displaying hand
some eastern rugs and making them in turn
the better show off water color pictures is seen
in certain drawing room where taste abounds
In the furnishing. The walls are covered first
with light paper, and over this again at inter-
walls are hung dark rich rugs. which are made
the background for groups Of water colors,
their delicate ooloring showing we'll against
them. Most Of the rugs are large, but here and
there are smaller ones, being under the larger
ones or irregularly between them. while suffi-
Gent wall space is left to keep the rather light
tone of the room predominating and some Of
the pictures are hung directly against the paper
itself. large rug covers nearly all the floor,
with smaller ones laid upon it here and there,
so there is no effect of the wall being decorated
at the expense of the usual depository for rugs
but rich, though quiet-coioring is throughout
the room, and a picturesque effect Is obtained
in q unique way.
THE HALL AND OTHER ROOMS.
In this same house, an old-fashioned one in
construction, the hall is wide, with rooms
opening on either side. and has two stairways
one on each side. curving in the ascent and
meeting on the second-hoor landing. In the
| wall space between the stairways at the end of
the hall were old fashioned folding doors lead
| ing into a continuation of the wall, but they
| have been replaced by portieres and on the
wall above, nearly covering all the surface, is q
| large, handsome Persian rug, another effective
| arrangement Still another room shows origi-
naiity In decoration with different materials.
On one side OF sitting room, or maybe
boudoir would be fitting title. is a broad, low
| divan and covering the wall above and extend
ing over the whole Of that side of the room is q
fishing seine hung nearly fiat, just slightly
| draped here and there, the paper back of it be-
ing an old blue and suggestive Of the ocean in
some OF Its many phases The net is covered
| at old Nantucket in water color sketches, some
framed and hung fiat against the netting,
others simply mounted on paper with wide
white margins and stuck into the meshes
| irregularly with the Accomplishments Of trails
| Of sea weed and now and then a sheel or curl
| Gus relic of the shore. To the mistress of the
room it is pleasant and ever present reminder
| of a happy summer, to an outsider an interest
| ing decoration to study and enjoy, and withal
q pretty and graceful decoration.
| PRETTY EFFECT.
| An extremely pretty effect has been made In
the home of q physician, where q suite Of three
rooms forming the offices is parallel with the
house and forms part Of it, the laboratory
| being the third room back, with q lower cell
! ing than the others The stairway of the house
proper il SO arranged that large landing il
| over the laboratory and it has been made into
q coy little sitting room. Three large Windows
form one of the longer sides Of the little room
filed with loaded cathedral glass, and under
these is q broad window seat. upholstered witt
mahogany red plush. with many loose pillows
Of varied coloring Heavy embroidered lac'
curtains are at the windows, Topped back from
the frames; rugs are on the hard wood floor
etchings hang against the grayish background
Of the wall paper, but the most effective thing
il the upright piano. which is at the narrowe
end Of the little space, the top holding jars AM
vases. A chair or two completes the furnish