New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-03-12

At this season the wise woman who takes time
by the forelock begins TO note the renewals reno
vatons and additions that the approaching spring
cleaning Will make necessary.
So greatly have books and magazines multiplied
or late that every few years there seems to be need
for a new bookcase at this period Formerly this
would have involved considerable outlay but ornate
and deliberately cumbersome bookcases are entirely
out OF date, fortunately. and the simpler they are
the better. 1t is possible now to buy the book
case ready made TO III a recess Of any size for a
few dollars. 1t is merely a neatly finished set
of shelves in a perfectly plain case II sliding doors
OF glass added the cost IS somewhat greater
but even then is inconsderable.
;oung woman whose bank account was smaller
than her stock Of energy recently had a carpenter
pulId such set in plain pine. and gave the neces-
sary decorative treatment herself. II was five feet
hlgh seven feet long, eight inches wide and con-
tanned five shelves. including the upper and lower
This did not look ornamental when sent home An
unyarnshed state may be appropriate for truth but
Is not to be commended in furniture. so she ap-
piled herself TO the task Of Improvement First
she secured at a hardware shop six knobs Of I'M
stained wood. such screwed into the floor 10
prevent doors from defacing the woodwork. These
she put at the four corners and half way between,
on the lower board. TO serve AS legs
The next step to stain the entire case inside
and out with antique oak" preparation to
match the finish OF the To the top brass
rods were fastened ratings The corners"
into which the rods were inserted were bought at
the same PAGES as the rods. a brass rod for
tains was added, with dividing fixture in the
middle. as two of drapery are more con-
yenient than one in such space.
A Barge lion and Diana in plaster n Moorish
jar and a Spanish water bottle were placed on the
top, curtains OF dark green velour were hung (the
service portieres did not lessen their beauty and
the result was distinctly ornamental as useful.
The narrow hall of the ordinary city apartment
is tho most hopelessly ugly feature of the average
much yet something is possible when one is deter
First the long narrow vista must he broken
distance from the front door, from which drapery
must hang. There is too much light in these
bicycle tracks who has such 4
hall contemptuously calls it, the best drapery
colors. About two-thirds of this may caught
back TO the wall on one side, the other strings
hanging straight Between the division thus made
and the door. an available wall space, a mar
row shelf may be placed at height sufficient to
ing. Graceful wrought iron brackets should hold
1t and below it might hang piece OF Eastern en-
of Benares brass Lacking any of these, even "A
large unframed picture may he tackled on the wall
under the shelf. on the other vacant wall space.
if there is any three four engravings in passe
The same plan may be carried out on the other
partout unframed, may he used the only
decoration in that part.
BY these simple means an extraordinary i'm
provement IS made, and the visitor receives i'm
preston Of cosey comfort far removed from the
usual stiffness of such hall.
idea to direct sSrHtinizh ing gaze to such plaster
decoration The friezes and medallions that are
lovely in themselves often are absolutely killed"
by lack Of contraSt r IN inc T 9aGkground' When
buff other colorless wall the effect is nearly. if
casts usually is arrange special background
of velvet or telling. in rich blue deep req, au-
certainly will harmOnize with the prevailing
tone Of the room and will add immeasurabiy to the
effectiveness of the casts 1t needs to be large
enough leave a four or five inch margin.