Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-13
CURTAINS FOR SUM MER
SHOULD REPRESENT ARTISTIC DEC.
GRAFTON AND DISCRETION.
Simplicity Rules for Hot Weather
HanSinSs How to
Wash Lace.
Written for The Evening Star.

written TOT Inc Evening star.
american women do not understand
how to light their houses says a cynical
bachelor who has travelled the world over
and has fair amount of artistic discre-
ton where decorative details are con-
cerned.
1.-The frankness of the fair American"
this man declares, lis unpicturesque. She
revels in self-revelation. Now 1t is her
soul that with retrospective morbidness she
lays bare for the inspection of the first
sympathetic person who drops into her
parlor, and generally it is some man WHO
is too suave to outwardly vince as one
by one she destroys his ideals. Then,
again, 1t Is her passe complexion or her
toilet that she submits to the all-revealing
daylight in an abandonment of honesty
that is fairly criminal, for a man likes to
retain the Illusion, even when he himself is
fat and middle aged, that the woman he
once loved is still young and beautiful
Half the shabby gowns and shabby in
teriors one sees are due to light effects. A
room or a gown that has long ago hidden
farewell to the best days may look fresh
and pretty if sunshine and shadow are mel
lowed little"
OF course, there is a great deal of truth
In all this, but the modern woman is, above
all things, lover of hygienic rules and
she has been told that sunlight is whole
some. So 1t is In moderation, but 1t is not
restful when it glares over the polished
surfaces of furniture and brings out dis
cordant combinations Of color on objects
which in a subdued atmosphere would har-
monte prettily. The blazing light of the
sun is weakening to the eyes. and indoors
one looks for restfulness rather than for
tonic effects.
Let in Pure Air.
In these days of expensive draperies, up
holsteries and carpets only the very
wealthy can afford to constantly dare the
l;ti1
their most cherished furnishings. Every
room should be aired and thrown open to
the glare of day at frequent intervals, but
in apartments furnished with the costliest
materials it is wise when SO doing to pro-
tect the upholsteries from the direct rays
of the sun.
The effect of colors upon the nerves is too
well known to need discussion; a comfort
able, warm lining for room is bright red,
while in an apartment intended to convey
the idea of GOODNESS green or yellow is good
Pink is a cool, restful shade. and the re-
Election of the tint upon the face is so happy
that many great beauties whose youthful
days are over are skllful enough to make
it conceal the lines that time has applied
to their countenances
Simple and Fresh.
Half the charm of a room depends upon
the arrangement of it's draperes. When
the house Is cleaned in the spring curtains
are changed for the summer-at least that
IS the rule in most well-ordered households.
The heavy curtains that have served SO
we'll to exclude Jack Frost are taken down
and soft white ones through which the cool
ing zephyrs Of summer may readily make
their way are substituted.
The most satisfactory curtains in houses
occupied by persons of moderate means are
those of fine white bobbinet, as they laun-
der well, drape gracefully and wear a long
time. The straight, looped curtains are SCI
dom seen In these days Of artistic orig
inalitY. Linen or silk shades, tinted to suit
| the furnishing Of the room, are put up over
the windows, and then the curtains are
gathered the rods and draped obliuuely
from one side of each window to the other
Simplicity prevails in their arrangement
The thin curtains over the colored shades
suggest pillows of mist feathery bits Of
cloud. These curtains are more ornamental
than the embroidered lace curtains because
they are soft and can be gathered into many
graceful drapings.
Insertions of lace and frills edged with
lace make the draperes as rich as the
taste or means of the householder may die
tate. They are especially pretty in bed
rooms, sitting rooms and dining rooms
where a light and airy aspect Is partic-
ularly appreciated.
The finest swiss applique on net makes
at the present time. Saxon lace and
French appliques are also popular
Laundry Hints.
Very few persons know how to do up lace
curtains. When they are taken down they
should be shaken and brushed free of dust
A little washing soda is then dissolved in
some warm water, and the curtains are
cleansed by rinsing them about in 1t. Lace
should never be rubbed on board. Unless
the curtains are cream colored, the rinsing
water should be slightly blued, and they
should be thoroughly stirred about In it.
A thin starch in which tablespoonful of
powdered borax has been dissolved should
| be applied to the lace. Clean sheets are
tackled to the floor in some unoccupied or
| seldom used room, and the curtains are
pinned to them the surface being drawn
| taut and smooth. Most people nowadays
have stretchers and dry their curtains in
them. An old quilting frame may be made
to serve instead. When frame is used
| the curtains may be dried in the sun,
which helps to bleach them.