Evening star., 1900-09-29
FOR AN NVALID'S ROOM
THE VERY LATEST DEMANDS ARE
FOR MORE LIGHT.
Newest Fad Requires Continuous
Windows to Perfect Hygienic Con-
dittOnD.A;rOving Flowers.
Written for The Evening Star.


the arrangement of houses with reference
to light and ventilation. The demand for
cheap dwellings has much to do with this
defect, because windows and doors are an
expense which the builder must consider
carefully in his estimate of cost
A room that is supplied with less than
two windows is not fit for use. The amaze
mic appearance of the average American is
due largely to lack of fresh air in dwellings
and places of business. While it is i'm
possible for the employe to remedy the
condition of the workshop or office building
where he spends his days, it is possible for
him to provide his family with a home in
which fresh air and sunshine will be album
dant.
+, That Americans are realizing the impor
tance of providing themselves with an am
pie supply of oxygen is shown by the
change of fashion in windows Instead of
small windows, well-shuttered and cur
tanned, one finds in modern houses ample
space and diaphanous curtains, through
whose meshes both air and sunshine pass
without obstruction.
Double and triple windows are among re-
cent Improvements in American household
designing. Sitting rooms, libraries, nurse
ries-all living rooms are improved by their
use. A certain well-known interior deco
rator is authority for saying that they add
hundredfold to the decorative effect of
| the interior, and if properly built are more
effective than handsome mantels or arched
doorWays.
Triple Window Openings.
Some of the decorators ideas in the use
Of windows are very effective. They may
be adopted in old houses without the ex-
pense of throwing out a bay window all
| that is required for a series of windows be-
| ing the insertion of row of openings
along one side of the room, narrow frames
alone separating the different sashes. The
| triple window may be made by grouping
TWO extra ones beside one already in the
| room. If the room is in a corner a very
eHecIVe arrangement is secured by putting
| windows on each side of the corner
seat may then be run across the angle and
| cushioned and upholstered with cretonne or
| some other handsome fabric.
very effective use of windows was re-
Gently made in small house whose little
parlor was hopelessly cheerless with an
/ unattractive outlook busy city street
II happened TO be corner room with a
window narrow and modern at each side
| OF the corner. The shadows of the houses
| on either side kept the room gloomy even
| at midday. 1t happened that the tenant
was OF some years standing and the land
| lord was willing to humor the lady Of the
house when the suggestion was made to
let more light into the room. The house
| wife obtained an idea of what she wanted
| from the decorator and succeeded in in
ducing the landlord to let him put the de-
sign into execution. This is what was done:
The side windows were widened toward
| the corner, at which point two wide win
dows Were put in, leaving space for a
| broad wooden panel between. A shelf and
panels were put under the windows. Tiny
| diamond shaped panes of tinted glass were
| set in the frames, which We're so fixed
| that either the upper or lower sash could
be swung back on a hinge. This in sum
mer admitted a great deal more fresh air
| than would have been possible with an or
dinary window. Above the windows was
| stretched rich portfere that fell in long,
| graceful folds to the floor. Ruffied Swiss
curtains We're draoed on one side of each
window. Opposite the center of the win
| dows stood a small table, which
| set a fancy china lamp, covered with a
tinted shade.
Light and Cheerful.
An invalid's room, by the addition of win
dows all along side of the apartment
with one at the end and around the cor
ner, was made as light and cheerful az it
had been dull and depressing Light has a
wonderful influence in changing the ap-
pearance of a room A wide sill was run
along under the row of windows, which
were filled with ordinary paned sashes. On
the sill were plants and the wicker basket
of the invalds pet kitten. An aquarium,
in which swan some tiny goldfish, was
swung in one of the windows and the
gided cage of a canary in another.
Some of the plants were tall, feathery
ferns and palms, while others were climb
ers. Bright hued flowers, too, were always
in bloom there. The window sills were low.
be lifted TO the easy couch beside the win
dows and look out on the outside world. A
clever arrangement of mirrors permitted her
| to see what was going on below and down
the street in the direction toward
which no window opened, the one
side window at the end Of the row giving
her a view of that part of the landscape.
Each window was furnished with a thick
shade. On the invalid's bad days, when
these were drawn, the room was darkened
thoroughly as with shutters. Muslin
curtains on ordinary occasions were all
that was needed to modify the light.
Splendid Change.
A small hall bed room, ill ventilated as
such rooms generally are, was made habit
able by turning the end of the room OPEN
ing over the street into one large window.
A transom over the door into the hall was
swung on bar that permitted it to be
opened or closed at will. The window was
made with a wide sill, which served as
dressing table and writing and reading
desk. From the floor to the shelf were two
rows of shallow drawers, the open space
between having a curtain upon brass rod.
When the sill was used as writing desk
this curtain could be moved back to per-
NIT one to draw close to the table When
the windows were not open, the owners
pretty reading lamp stood one side of
the SILL over which was laid white en-
broidered scarf. At the other side was a
dainty mirror in its old-fashioned swinging
ITdfne, Will llHy drawers ana Sldnu Tor the
toilet bottles and utensils. Between the
lamp and the dressing stand some books
were usually laid. The windows covered
by sash curtains of white net. were spannei
by arch and a wide cornce, which in
winter accommodated heavy portieres.
These. draped back during the day. could
be lowered at night to shut out the drafts
and sounds of the outside world. couch
bed during the day covered with pref
ty pillows. and at night was turned into a
comfortable bed, the bed clothing being
kept in the interior. Small pictures in mar
row frames covered the walls. One corner
Of the room was curtained off with por-
there. and behind this was the wardrobe
Small as it was, the room was ideally dainty
and comfortable.
For library, latticed windows are pref
ty. When filled with stained glass and
supplied with long, comfortable window
seat, the arrangement is especially suitable
The colored glass shuts out the outside
world and prevents distracting influences
from intruding, while the window seat gives
the reader the advantage of the last CLEAN
of daylight When much writing is to be
done. wide table placed just under these
windows is comfort to the weary scribe
A slanting shelf near at hand and supplied
with all his books of reference will save
him the trouble of getting up during his