The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-03-21
THE BEDROOM COUCH.
An Indispensable Piece Of Furniture That
Need Not BE Expensive,

An Indispensable Piece Of Furniture That
Need Not BE Expensive.
Every bedroom should if possible
contain couch if it be only of wicker,
and especially is one indispensable in
the room of guest who frequently
longs Tor a short nap, but refrains
from taking one in the fear of disturb
ing beautifully made or deliberately
decorated bed.
Guest room furnishings, by the way,
should not be so fine as to be overpow-
ering. l heard of lady once who,
when on visit to some friends, was
put into a room, the furniture of which
was upholstered in white satin. She
afterward confessed that she used to
sit on the floor when in retirement
there, as, being in mourning, she felt
| sure her black gowns would leave a
trace on the delicate covering There
may have been some exaggeration in
her amusing account of her trials, but
lit is certainly visiting under difficult
hes when none of the freedom of home
can be enjoyed.
If the room be small and there is no
place for couch it could be set at the
foot of the bed, where, if supplied with
casters, it may easily be moved when
| necessary.
| One suitable FOR use in a bedroom
may be got up with little trouble and
it is astonishing what treasures the at
tic will often afford.
l have sofa in mind which was so
unsightly as to be absolutely useless.
1t was one of the old-fashioned sort,
with a carved back; not by any means
an antique of graceful shape and de-
sign, but thoroughly plebeian, I'M
comfortable piece of furniture.
| The back was unscrewed and taken
off, the soiled cover removed, and at a
cost of $3 new springs and fresh
cover of white cotton made it ready for
pretty spread and pillows, which
transformed it completely.
The spread is of French Saline, in
blue and white, to match the hangings
of the room, and it was made by sew
ing deep frill gathered on cord to a
piece of the goods of a suitable size to
cover the sofa. This particular frill.
by the way, is composed of many small
pieces joined together, and as it is
quite full the gathers hide the seams
very effectively.
The spread should be made of ample
length. so that it may be pushed down
into the place where the head of the
couch joins the lower part, this device
serving to keep it in place, and nc
other fastening being necessary. When
finished. the couch may be set against
the wall, and two large pillows, covered
with the same material as the spread
arranged for the back, in which case
it is only necessary to have the frill
across the front and at bottom and
| top; or it may sit out in the ROOM
when smaller pillows may be used, but
| these must be harmonious with the
main covering.
An adjustable cover of this sort has
many advantages over one which is
nailed to the frame and tufted. 1t is
less trouble to make, and of course less
expensive. as the work may be done in
the house; and it may be taken off and
shaken or washed, as occasion requires
Tufted chairs and sofas are handsome
but they afford deep and lasting Turk.
ing places for the dust, and are always
trial on that account to the fastidious
housekeeper.
An old couch like the one described
may be rejuvenated for library OF sit
ting room if velours or corduroy in
some handsome dark shade, like deer
old red, or terra Gotta is used for the
covering. This need only be hemmed
all around, and if gracefully arranged
will look extremely well. If liked, thi:
heavier goods can be caught up at the
corners and rosette of the material
fastened at the point of draping. In.
deed, little ingenuity and thought,
combined with taste, will secure charm
| ing effects in house decoration with
often very little expenditure of money
and the satisfaction which a woman
feels in the work of her own hands and
brain far exceeds her pride in any
adornment of her home that is purely
the result of the upholsterers art
Harper's Bazaar.