Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-25
MODERN DINING ROOMS.
How They Should He Treated to Make
Them Attractive.

How They Should he Treated to Make
Them Attractive.
From the New York Herald.
Much depends on dining" and much de-
ponds also on the room in which we dine. A
safe general rule is that dining room fur
riture should be dark, though not gloomy.
Oak has been the accepted wood for longer
time than it deserved. 1t is ugly, while ma
hcgany is very beautiful, giving a sugges-
ton Of warmth and richness SO suitable to
this room.
The high-backed chairs were a move in
the wrong direction. for while a high-backed
chair Is comfortable and restful, one cannot
properly loll at dinner. They make deft
service on the part of the waitress i'm
possibility, and il dining room happens to
have windows with a desirable view they
obstruct it. But there is no excuse for the
chairs not being comfortable, and to this
end let them be of sufficient depth in the
seat. The carver's chair must have arms
and a smaller armchair Is generally pro-
vided for the mistress.
High-topped sideboards have gone out
along with that monstrosity the bedstead
with towering headboard. A pretty and
artistic fancy is the low buffet, without any
top at all, that prevailed century ago. One
Of the prettiest effects in dining room is
produced by a collection of plates hung over
such q sideboard. Indeed, you can scarcely
ton. stopping short, of course, of any sug-
gestion Of wholesale china house. Mar
row shelves with low ratings over the DOORS
the cabinet mantel with it's shelves and
hooks, 2 corner cabinet with glass front
and sides, a hanging wall cabinet may all
be used for the display of odd or pretty
pieces.
A city dining room and country dining
re ON are entirely different affairs and must
be treated differently. OF the latter one in
pretty Montclair presents itself to my mind s
eye as model Through its two great, wide
windows you get glfmpses of landscapes as
charming as anything Corot ever painted.
Separated from this by a wide curtained
arch is the most fascinating of libraries
where there are cushioned divans and great
roomy chairs, and books-everywhere books
tempting you to hours of dreamful ease
The fortunate guest who finds himself seat
ed opposite this room sees through a broad,
low window the nearby purplng hills which
anon are covered with bewildering shades of
green and again glow in scarlet and gold.
The big fireplace is tiled, ard truly log
fire burns on the red brick hearth, with its
wrought iron fire dogs and fender. The
table Is real mahogany-at least hundred
years old-and the chairs, of like antiquity
have been upholstered in gray green Morris
tapestry.
building the house a niche or sort of bay
was thrown out to fit the heirloom ma
hogany sideboard, whose brass fittings and
warm polish reflect the glow of the fire.
Atcve this Is a triumph in the way of
stained glass, sending pale green and gold
and silvery glints across the table. The
walls are hung with pale green cartridge
paper; the wide frieZe shows tropical foliage
palms and grasses in darker shades of green
and graceful maidenhair ferns are tied up
with flowing love knots OF green ribbons on
the ceiling.
On one side of the fireplace a Dutch double
door opens into vine-covered, roomy porch,
with seats built on three sides of it, At the
other side is quaint, curious cabinet, with
uniooked-for shelves, and corners filled with
china chosen especially. for its harmonizing
but contrasting colorings. The hazel-eyed
mistress is an advanced, but not new
woman"