Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-03-10
THE DINING ROOM.
How to Give It the CHEEKY Atmosphere
which Stimulates Digestion.

some FOOD. 1t must not only appeal 60
the eye, but possess sanitary qualifica-
tions. Light and ventilation are neces-
sary. pretty furnishings desirable. To-
gether they result in the CHEEKY atmos-
phere which stimulates digestion and
combats depression.
If, as it should be, the dining room is
on the sunny side of house or apart
ment, the general tone of the furnish
ings should, artistically considered, be
deep and rich. If unfortunately there is
a lack of light, brighter colorings
should be selected. Materials and meth
DDS for side wall finish are largely an
individual choice, sometimes governed,
however, by the length of the purse
Tapestry, lincrusta walton and burlap
are all popular and stylish. Tapestry
requires, of course, dark woodwork to
properly disclose it's beauties. Lincrusta
walton, which may be illuminated by
any coloring desired, may be set off by
either light or dark wood This is also
the case with burlap, which comes in
many tints and is plain or figured. 1t is
also frequently dyed by the furnisher
or decorator if an odd tint is desired
or necessary. Striped denim and awning
cloth are also among wall hangings, and
in pink and white or green and white
stripes provide dainty, Inexpensive
finish for simply furnished dining
rooms. Neither, however, is as soft in
effect as burlap.
Hard wood floors, with high finish
and strewn with two or three rugs
more if the room is large-are univer-
sal. 1t is only where floors are of the
ordinary kind that carpets are used.
Dark mattings are also stylish back
grounds for rugs.
Mantels if handsome are not draped,
but upon them are placed a vase or two
odd ones, not mates-and few pieces
of bric-a- brac artistically, not regularly,
arranged. Precision is quite out of
date. Above the mantel at one side may
hang a small picture beneath graceful
drapery, while a group of pretty fans
may rest upon the other side. Tiles in
wooden frames and vertical or horizon
tai order may decorate another portion
Of the wall, and here and there a pic
ture may be hung. The main thing to
avoid is crowding the room or it's walls.
Draperies may be used at doorways if
desired, but they should be severe in
style to accord with the simplicity now
governing every we'll appointed dining
room, be it costly or inexpensive.
Mahogany, antique oak and English
black oak are the woods exclusively
used in the newest furniture
The popular table is round, and for
ordinary use upon it are circular table,
cloths of fine linen woven with borders
and center patterns. For state occasions
and use upon mahogany tables are hand
some cloths bordered with renaissance
lace and with a center decoration to
match. Lace decorated doilies, center
pieces and tray cloths are also used at
formal dinners, be the table square or
round.
Chairs with medium high backs are
most in favor. Those with very high
backs are inconvenient for the walters,
and guests frequently suffer from this
cause. They are therefore unpopular.
The chairs for host and hostess, how
ever, may be high backed, since they
are placed at the ends of table. Seats
are upholstered in leather or tapestry or
have loose fiat cushions Of plain or gilt
embossed leather. Less expensive chairs
have cane seats and are used without
cushions.
A handsome dining room just COM
pleted is finished and furnished in an
tique oak. The walls are hung with
lincrusta walton, in which are all the
standings of oak. Touches Of color ap-
pear in the deep garnet leather chair
seats, the handsome tiles over the CRATE,
the urns on the carved mantel, the rugs
on the polished floor and the stained
panes of the small, quaint windows.
Another dining room, less costly but
quite as CHEEKY, is in the middle Of a
popular studio apartment By day it is
lighted only from skylight, by night
by chandelier, the regular burners of
which have been replaced by Argand
burners, in conformance with another
popular fad. Its color scheme is original
and effective and could be used with
advantage in any poorly lighted dining
room. The clever little lady who pre-
sides arranged deep dado of turkey
red'' around its walls, heading it with
wood molding about three inches wide.
She also covered the door leading into
the studio proper with the same bril-
liant fabric and carried the molding up
its sides and across it's top. Above this
dado the walls are hung with cream
tinted cartridge paper. In the coloring
of the woodwork shone forth the crown
ing stroke of genius. It was all OVERLAND
with three coats of jet black paint or
preparation which dried with bril-
liant polish. The effect is superb, the
cost trifing. On the walls, in not too
great profusion, hang quaint souvenirs
of journeyings in foreign lands and
picture or two. A rope of gay stems de-
ponds from one corner, while in another
is an old Flemish triangular wall cabi-
net. A low mantt adorned with oriental
stuffs and curios, an antique chest that
serves as a seat and a similar sideboard
on which are few pieces of old silver
provide other attractions. Chippendale
chairs surround square, antique table,
always simply, daintily spread.
In another simple dining room in
quite fine apartment the walls are
hung with pink and white striped den
i'm. An empire sideboard and cabinet
hold hold bits Of old silver and Spanish
glass. Empire chairs are about table
of the same period. Dainty muslin cur.
tains are Topped back with empire bows.
and bits of pretty drapery are here and
there on the walls and over doorways
But few pictures are there, though sew
eral ourios are displayed against the
denim background These illustrations
go to prove the statement that "indi.
vidual taste governs the furnishing of
the up to date dining room"
JENNIE T. WANDLE.
Consultation