Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-09
MY LADY'S WINDOW.
What 10 Do 10 Make it AttraC-
tive.
CORATINE
I'oINI.
OId-THsbiOncd Plain Windows Can
he Easily observation-disclosures
Recess.
cN-ritten for The Digpatch)

When ono comes 10 look carefully into
the matter. it Is astonishing how many
houses have tho old-fashioned. ugly win
dows flush with the WALL giving 1t on the
outside very much the appearance OF
doll,s house. or one cut out of paper i
have noticed whole streetfuls Of them ana
found a dreadful monotony about them
n IL almost impossible 10 improve mat
ton. nm the outside. All that can be done
g. IN have nice white curtains. frilled but
fer muslin being tho rrettiest for the bed
rooms. and handsome lace for the sittihs-
rooms. and perhaps some window boxes
filled with flowers in the summer time VIII
give individuality to house ana pro-
claim aloud the fact that the mistress
thereof is a woman OF taste. For the am
,,~-roorn and drawing-room sills there
me verv artistic stands made OF scrohtu
,rouUorl, and holding three china Do"ls
az bright color, a daffodil-yellow pe.ls
thc most effective, and these. hilen WIN wiz,
pientv of white and yellow nowels' VIII
be- charming. ,-, ,.
rror the uD-stairs windows, which can
NOT be so closely criticised by lhe pas
crs-bv. some wooden boxes WIN ansMes
the purpose very WELL out tieE o"vu,'
have al least three coats Of yellow paint
mitch viii make them quite smart, espe-
ciauv IL plenty Of yellow canarlensis are
ttailed over them, with some white MAJ
luerites and yellow calceolarias above;
pnt This Is hardly the season or tue
wear in which 60 descant upon summer
aover.. SO / must turn my attention 10
the inside Of these ugly WINDOWS "hicn
Is. perhaps. worse than the eAteIlols.
Fiat walls and straight lines are the pane
of every decorator. and l shudder 10
mini, of certain rooms 1 have known
where the curtains are looped back, either
with brass chains or large ribbon
sashea. and solitary chair Is placed
between them, IN such position tnat
nobody sitting IN IT could look out INTO
the street without twisting his neck
nearly off.
To mend matters, l would suggest that
p shelf for china should be fixed 10 the
wall lust above the window painted the
same tint as the rest Of the woodwork
In the room. and having little bal
cony-railing in front by way of a finish.
This shelf need not be broad one. as |
the window does not require TO be re- |
cessed; but should be length project |
ing ten or twelve inches on each side be- |
yond the glass. Two small rods should :
DO fixed just beneath II, supported by |
brackets on either slde-one to hold /
thick curtains. and the other to hold /
thin ones. Neither pairs OF curtains
should reach more <han four inches below |
the sin. tho outer ones OF velvet, plush. |
or brocade, and the inner ones OF mus
lin or guipure yltrage. They will hang ,
straight down, without any drapng. /
and the thick ones should be drawn TO-
Eether at night.
There will probably DO two. or. per-
haps. three. windows In each OF the
reception-rooms. and their appearance
must be diversified by the furniture as
much as possible. In one window small
seat. covered with tapestry. and having
arms at each end. would be charm-
'rg. with one OF the giant trumpet vases
on one side OF II. hlled with tall foliage
or branches OF blossoms. To color the
sketch. l can picture room where
the walls are covered with paper OF
tender green shades. the curtains Of
bronze ana gold brocade. the little seat
made gay with green and gold tapes
try or brocatelle. and the tall vase
filed with great boughs Of iilao or la
burnum.
In another window "nower-table"
would look wen. They are very quaint
7 the vases are Of graduated heights, the
sliest ones being at the back. OF course
he table should be covered with cloth /
4 meion-gfeen art serge. edged with
'reen pompon fringe. as this color IL tho I
'est foundation for any floral decoration J
n room. Let the table be q solid one, :
landing on four legs. and II It has (
over shelf. put plenty OF heavy books.
ron II. SO that II may be weighted. II IL
= well TO guard against accidents Of ovet-
urning as much ~ possibie A third | '
window. which will be an end one. can {
ave low seat IN front OF II. forming
corner diyan and well piled up with Il
ushions 4
Where there are two windows only In the
iaHine-room pretty plan. aud not 4 4
cry d.rlcuIt one. Il 10 'rccess" them. 10 4 4
. s@is aiAes shelf On the tn * -