Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-03
PLANNING A PLAY ROOM.
Inexpensive Way of Arranging the
Children's Own Room.
Public Ledger.

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Not all mothers are so fortunate as to be
able to afford a nursery for their children.
in the usual sense of the word. 1t sounds
extravagant, suggesting the idea of a pala-
tial mansion, planned out with that easy
comfort which is really luxury.
This is misleading, however. Every home
ought to contain a play room-one apart
ment which can be the childrens very
own" Every house, with very few excep-
lions, may have one. And this statement Is
made strictly with reference to middle-class
homes.
teriZe Philadelphia, usually have a little eX-
ira room sandwiched between sitting room
and bath room. 1t Is most frequently set
apart for sewing, but why not let it serve
for a nursery? Think how much ''tidying
up might be saved, if toys could be left
behind there. instead of being scattered
through every room in the house. There
would be no worry over damaged furniture
or scratched walls; best of all, the children
would enjoy liberty. could romp and be
noisy without causing discomfort to adult
members of the family.
Surprising that you wish to inexpensvely
fit up play room. have, If possible, a
blackboard dado. Most children love to
scribble and mark every available space,
and this arrangement permits them to do
so. B1ackboarding is not very expensive.
Above it border of Mother Goose pictures
might be arranged, as they always give
pleasure to young children. In the case of
a small room this decoration may be sup
piled in anna teur fashion by clipping Mother
Goose pictures and pasting them on the
wall, afterward coating them with She1lac.
The upper part of the wall may be covered
with any cheap paper provided it is plain
and in good taste. preferably light colored,
for greater cheerfulness.
There are especially designed wall papers,
Of course. which illustrate the stories of
Red Riding Hood and other juvenile tales
of like character. These are by no means
beautiful, however, and preclude the hang
ing of pictures. 1t is a question whether
the better choice would not be in favor of
plain paper. suited to the display of a few
well-chosen engravings, or even photo
graphs.
By the way, some may argue against the
blackboarding that it would tend to encour-
age the childish habit of defacing walls,
but this has never proved to be the case
when the experiment has been tried; rather
the contrary, If the fitting of the room must
be done at a minimum cost, a wainscoting
OF thick brown paper may be substituted
fastened down at its upper edge with a
narrowing molding. This can be renewed
from time to time.
The general idea to be kept In mind in
fitting up such room is the avoidance of
sharp corners. There should be round
instead of a square table, and rocking
chairs should find no place In the childrens
room. In the first place, they are danger
sooner or later; In the second place, chill
dren should not be permitted to acquire the
rocking-chair habit, which is conducive to
round shoulders.
Each child should have separate reposi-
tory for story books and toys. If there is
but one closet in the room a shelf corner
should be allotted TO each. Ventilation is
best provided by using those which have
curving pipe set In board which fits be-
meath the sash Thus air Is admitted with
out draught. Perhaps. needless to say. If
there is an open fireplace in the room the
fire should always be protected with
screen too strong and well secured for
childish hands to remove.
1t is best to have no carpet. See that the
wood of the floor is smooth, and throw
down soft rugs and cushions. which will
prevent the little ones being hurt in their
romps, and yet can be easily cleansed
A strong box couch may be improvised, If
there Is room for it. and if the man of the
house possesses carpentering ingenuity. out
of an. oblong packing box. with we'll
padded hinged lind and denim upholstery.
This provides a repository for toys and
other things. and is nice for the little ones
to rest on when tired of play
It need hardly be said that in any house
where choice can be exercised the children's
room should be on the sunniest and lightest
side. Let them have a place to themselves,
however. even If it is not ideally located.