New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
HOUSE FURNISHING.
MAINLY FOR PEOPLE OF MODERATE
INCOMES

INCOMES
Furniture IS cheaper and better to-day than it
ever was not that wood is any cheaper that
labor is any cheaper. but because the methods OF
making have so much improved. Neneering alone
is done so perfectly, del.cately that all sorts OF
desirable effects are made possible whch were not
thought OF a few years ago
Take the drawers of this desk, for instance.
said one cOnversant with the subject. They are
Ct the finest French walnut. workman comes
across a beautiful piece OF wood. the veins and
notifies OF which are charming to the eye. He
splits that rare piece into layers of marvellous
thinness and evenness by the aid of his improved
tools ard faces over an Incredible amount OF sur
face with TIE rch ve!nng. The result "a a solid.
substantial desk. cabinet. or bureau, OF hne
French walnut. The foundation is of plain walnu;
and the veneering is perfectly applied. owing TO
the Improvement in CLUES. that it will last IN
definitely and is in danger of cracking or peel
inS off Curly birch. much coveted, because II
Is such a Gnc-grained artistic wood IS used IN tn,
same way Some years ago a bedroom suite of
three pieces was considered cheap at So Now
set of the same sort CT wood ana make can De pro
cured for so or $40
What kind OF wood would you recommen nd for
bedroom set where expense is consideration he
asked
"Cuartered oak undoubtedly" was the reply 1T
is refined looking, and since the method mas been
learned of quartering the oak across the grain al
straight way of the wood 1t is much more orna-
mental than either the plain antique oak. tho
latter being called antique merely because OF the
color due to the dressing and finish Chartered
oak is durable and substantial. too. and nowadays
it is made up in choice DESIGNS usually accorded
only 10 very expensive woods.
What about bird s-eye maple
1T makes a charming sct-so light and cheerful.
But the best is not for plain. practical people for 1t
Is too expensive. White mahogany is coming
fad but that too is beyond the reach of limited
purses The birds maple after four or five
years use takes on an old-orange tint something
like the coloring Of a meerschaum pipe 1t is mat
ter of taste whether one objects or not To ms
'ripening' or turning yellow. II one wants to oe
very economical he can get an ash set but ash Is
close-grained. common-lo oking wood. and no mat
ter how shapely or well made, 1t has cheap look.
What about onamelled wood?'
That is out of the question for the young house
keeper or the practical furn.sher with limited
means The ordinary enamelled furniture IS COM
mon looking. and that which is desirable is neces-
sarily very expensive. Beautiful effects are MADE
with this enamelled wood in harmonious tnis to
suit the particular color Of the room and wall deco
ration. The upholstery can be chosen with touch
or note Of the same pale-blue green or amber
tint and the combination is attractive. Bat for
my own part wood however well eramel!'d. can
ever be as pretty when left in its original shad-
ing The green or blue white heart Of tree
would not be admired however clear and beautiful!
the tint This ename.lng Is only fad IN ac-
cordance with the ever-rocurring craze for some
thing new.
Gould the young housekeepor furnishing FOR
limited sum have brass bcGstead?'
She could. but she would have TO pay $50 for II
alone and then have bureau ana washstand enam-
elled 10 match. An iron beGstead. painted white with
brass trimmings. Is neat, and would be n far bet
ter taste and more economical for a modest home.
if prefers 1t tc a set OF quartered oak or OF
plain maple. ornamented with b.rd's-eye. that may
be had for $25 or 49, For so she could secure an
attractive set Of CHARTERED oak. The few chairs,
rockers and small work table would cost only few
dollars more. and with simpl. curtains and neat
toilet appointments the bedroom would be complete
and be really we'll furnished. For the dlnng-room
everything desirable and durable. in OAK could be
secured for $50 including the china. curtains.
etc As birch is stained nowadays In such perfect
imitation Of mahogany. neatly upholstered cheer
ful-ookng parlor set Of three pieces can be had
for from $40 $35 graceful-shaped unpretentious
parlor table will cost little as 81. and with two
comfortable easy chairs. an easily moved light
chair or two, and second table for books, lamp.
etc. So would furnish the simple parlor. Cabinets
are luxuries that should only be affected by people
of means. who have something unique and beaui-
when window curtains for bed-chamber and draw
ing-room could be procured as pretty ana as cheap
individuality she 1T up a home for far less
than people would suppose. OF course. have
one of these can be made with good springs. COW
cred and draped with Persian rep. and furnished
with cushions that taken altogether. would give
far more comfort ;han a much more pretent0us
sofa. By-tne-way. the beginner at housekeeping
must not forget that fine hair mattress and good
springs must be put on her quartered OAK or IRON
be lstead The best hair mattress can be boueht Tor
s2i. and then there must be comfortable pillows
and good sheets and covsriets, all chcaper ana
better, though. than ever before. ,,-,u,o
To leave the realm OF the practical ana wander mo
the, province Of pure. unadnlterated beauiy a!Hsd
bedroom sets In Dutch marqueterie OF quaint de-
sign. beautifully inlaid with lighter woods. on the
rare old mahogany. works OF art and not Nearly
So costly might suppose The French sets
are lnlaid after the same fashion, but In lighter
MOI her-of- pearl In the wreaths and that is
most engaging. These bedroom sets show the dis
tnctive character Of the TWO nations as plainly as
possible
a rich. old hand-carvci set in darkest rosewood
is all cupids and bows, but not too ornate 10 be
tasteful Most OF these handsome sets have the
twin beds. each wide as what would be called
three quarter beds, and intended stand side by
side but each with its separate drapery and cover
charmngly artistic bedroom set is OF white
maple, made in imitation Of bamboo. The joints
eyes are all exactly reproduced and for a summer
house. with coo, mating on the floor green blinds
carried out in small details nothing could be more
appropriate. From the dealers point of View.
however. this bamboo furniture fad proved a fall
cause IL cost far too much 10 make H.
The young houseEeepcr Is not supposed to nave
ga thered together volumes enough 70 Rave a library
But II she has the fittings and furnishings OF such
an apartment distinctive and delightful enough
to make the task OF arranging such room agree
and varied. and may be bought at prices quite az
attractive as those paid for other furniture After
visit to these shops one learns that IL is posi-
bic 10 furnish entire house for 500
A REMINDER or OLD DAYS