The Indianapolis journal., 1902-01-19

subject. According 70 my standards Of
taste the 'cozy corner" in the generally
accepted meaning Of the term, Is something
20 be distinctly avoided. and the house
which is distinguished by the absence OF
this feature Is likely 10 be furnished in
cleaner and better taste than one where II
exists. There Is. however as great variety
in coy corners in any other phase OF
household furnishing. and the one / have
just had reference TO IS either motley and
heterogeneous collection Of Eastern cOttons
or silks. drapcd in voluminous folds over
rug-covered seat heaped with cushions (and
the worst feature OF this particular ar
Tangement Is an array OF papier mache
spearheads and other imitation implements
OF Turkish and Arabian warfare). or bright
coIored cheap paper parasOls and gay lam
terms are suspended without rhyme or rea-
son over the devoted heads Of all who sit
on the couch beneath.
Now IL behOoves one who IS ambitious of
introducing this feature into her house 10
pause and reflect on the ultimate intention
CT coZy corner. The idea Of the Turkish
arrangement is to present a comfortable
and inviting place Of rest. where we may
stretch at luxurious ease amid surroundings
that afford artistic pleasure 10 the senses.
i hold that festoons OF calico in fold upon
fold do not produce an effect Of beauty
comfort, and that battle axes used 10 fasten
back this drapery are not appropriate or
in good taste. Many OF these arrangements
have also very narrow cOuches, piled
with many-colored cushions that il is hard
10 find place for a seat among them. 1t IS
readily perceived that such one defeats
its ends and has no excuse for being. That
certain arrangements can be made effective
and strikingly beautiful has, Of course. been
many times proved. / once saw cozy cor
ner when had been devised originally by
a clever woman TO hide an Objectionable
and superfuous door In her husbands den.
She hung the most beautiful prayer rug in
her collection against the door, which it
completely covered As much Of the wood
work and furniture I'm this den was OF REQ
LACQUER. she extended over the door jamb
n shelf of this red. and dropped from the
shelf panel OF lattice work in the scarlet
lacquer. This panel extended into the room
and recessed the door at one side for the
space of two and half feet I'm this recess
she fitted the head Of her couch, with It's
rich embroidered cushions. ON the shelf
overhead were one or two pieces OF
closonne. whose rich blues and greens
helped 10 relieve the red OF the woodwork
and brought into harmony the pillows OF
green and gold, orange and deep blue that
lay ON a Turkish rug combining all Of these
oolors This couch. with its head against
the lattice. did not extend into the room.
hut ran along against the wall its fun
length. ON the wall space back OF II and
contiguous to the other side OF the door
1amb was an arrangement of Turkish
weapons. pipes and other rare bric-a-brdc
reminiscent of prolonged stay In Con
stantinople. An immense scarf OF rich en-
broidery fell in such way as TO soften
tho edge 81 the shelf and tho outer line of
the lattice work. and Turkish lamp
dropped from the shelf and shed softly
coIorcd light over this fascinating corner.
\ low palm In a heavy Oriental jar at the
foot or the couch completed the effect. Thus
BY a careful and exquisite arrangement this
woman had used the richest stuffs and most
vivid colors tremendously. There was no
stufnness. no straining after effect. with
"A thought for solid comfort and con-
venience she had concealed an electric light
I'm the Iamp. which could be so lowered as
10 render this "a deIectable reading place.
A JAPANESE COZY CORNER.
Another woman who had ideas Of her
own about japanese arrangements deco
rated the corner Of her boudolr I'm this way;
Using "A large. low window for back
ground. she placed her couch beneath It.
over the entire window she used grill
work. this time of fine brown bamboo I'm
Japanese design. Between the glass and
the grill she futed cherry -colored silk, and
on the wicker couch used pillows Of plain
cherry color mingled with others Of clear
pink and red chrysanthemums on a white
ground. ON black shelf over the window
she placed two pots OF pink and red azaleas.
and just I'm front OF one end of the couch
another pot OF this beautiful flower a
low teakwood stool. A two-leaved screen
of cherry blossoms painted on thin white
silk and set In a light framework OF teak
wood or ebony partially hid the head OF
the couch. and n rug OF black Japanese goat
lay I'm front OF &C. A lantern hung from
the shelf. but IL was not a common paper
one. being OF rich shade OF red silk and
carved teakwood. As the walls of this room
were French gray and tho woodwork black,
the brilliant effect of this "cozy corner
stood out clearly. AS further evidence of
her artistic taste. she had prevailed upon
Japanese artist to paint her "A frieze of
azaleas above her pale gray walls.
CHINESE DEN WITH GOLD DRAGONS.
w T. a. New York city. writes that he
would like TO have scheme for Chinese
den Having recently returned from China
with some fine panels OF the open brass
screen work used there and many beautiful
eubroideries. he solicits my aid I'm the
artistic arrangement Of his den AS he
prefaces his letter with the remark that he
would like something different from the red.
so popular for dens. and SAYS that many of
his embroideries have green backgrounds,
] would suggest the use of "A predominating
green. with the brass and gold effects in
this den. Green and gold can be made Just
rs attractive in combination as red and
gold. and, as you Justly remark. the latter
has been much used. l like your idea also
OF keeping your den purely Chinese in
scheme. and In doing so would warn YOU
70 avoid the possibility of "a resemblance
20 a "tearOom" decorated In Japanese style.
Never having Travelled I'm either OF these
countries I cannot tell you Just where the
difference lies IN the decorative effects
produced in them, but have made a thor
ough study of the practical application OF
the artistic productions brought To us for
our own needs from these two Oriental
countries and will give you the benefit Of