New-York tribune., 1901-01-28
TO FURNISH A SMALL HOME.
HOW A LITTLE FLAT WAS MADE AR
TISTIC AT SMALL COST.

The eternal feminine" may be-and is-interested
in social problems missionary and philanthropc
work and all the other serious things that go
make up modern life, but she never loses her love
for the everyday aesthetics that much TO It's
gracious atmosphere Her home must be as pretty
taste and effort make it. when
limited and every hint that aids her that effort
is joyfully received.
A young couple with small income but refined
tastes and training struggling with the prob
lem how to make a home attractive with little
money with such success that the plain tale of
their method he helpful TO others, so it Is
given here.
The sitting carpeted with dark green
denim at 16 cents yarc. over which was placed
japanese rug. 9x12 feet, that cost $40 The rug was
artistic in design and coloring, and, having much
dull green in the ground, harmcnized with the
denim That a good beginning. but the furni-
ture was not wholly satisfactory. Both the young
people were too exactng in their tastes to tolerate
the idea of cheap 'parlOr suite and determined
to make odds and ends until they could get
something really good The husband. who was
just out of college. had the furniture his ROOM
but IT, alas! was in the usual condition of the
college boys furniture However he bravely
TO work remedy IT, The oak Morris chair was
scratched everywhere. and arm a name and
date were boldly cut, Hopeless? Not a bit of it.
He bought solution intended for painters
that removed the Varnish thoroughly then rubbed
the entire surface with sand paper, material
ly reducing the depth of the cutting. box of the
prepared coach color" that can be bought at most
OF the department stores then into requsition
The color selected was malaChite green, and when
applied TO the oak produced a charming effect
which the figured corduroy cushions with green
ground completed perfectly
A square oak table, which had held his chatting
dish-and showed twas treated in the way
| with like
A broad low couch that had been favorite nook
| in his college room needed only a new cover har-
| nonizing with the rug make ii 'as good as
new A Shaker rocking chair, that had obviously
| seen better days, emerged from temporary seclu-
sion, in a new coat Of mahogany stain. TO match a
handsome Mahogany writing desk belonging to tho
| little matron of the establishment and both fell
| into line with the woodwork of the room, which
| was stained dull red large combination book
! case and writing desk of antique oak and two
chairs Of artistic design completed the fur
nishings, and Il number OF articles of bric-a-brac
that were wedding gifts added the adornment
| necessary for the overmanteI. The college room
| had been decorated literally with good etchings,
| engravings and photographs, and these gave the
| homelike air that only pictures can give ..,.
room, and as IL adjoined the sitting room harmony
| had TO be considered. it also was carpeted with
| bedstead with brass trimmings that had done
! duty in college was converted into the neWest
thing in bedroom furniture by coat of malaehite m
| green. to which the bright brass knobs added the
last touch Of effectiveness. The shaving stand OF
antique oak was in good condition so the painter
| craft necessary, but the oak dressing case
! 10 remove the varnish. the surface was SSLiu ~
/ papered the malachite coach color applied and an
/ with tho bed with the result
All this the work of short evenings during
| two weeks, and the young househeeper was
| equally energetic in her recovering of cushions
and adaptation OF draperies the details tnat mean
| ments. In one case she converted what had peel
edged ruffies into window curtains for the dining
| room. Fortunately the original stock OF pictures
Of fine paintings bought at bargain sales sufced
to provide some for every room. and the little nat
| has air OF refinement and good taste that many
| far more ambitious establishments lack