Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-05
OLD FAVOR REVIVED
BED CURTAINS ARE TO HAVE A
REVIVAL.
Canopy Foundations Are Detachable
and Very Easy to
Handle.


The sign in a well-known furnishing store
which reads Curtains for windows and
beds" may seem odd to the uninitiated.
But the woman who is learned in the Latest
lore Of household decoration knows that in
buying curtains for an up-to-date bed room
something more than the windows must be
reckoned with.
A society woman, the daughter of a we'll
known artist, wishing to produce a focus
for her newly furnished bed chamber had
a canopy so constructed that 1t formed
decorative outside scheme for her modern
and fashionable mahogany bed. 1t con-
sisted of four posts in good design. They
were built of stout white wood with broad
sides, somewhat on the lines of the Eliza
bethan period. The framework fitted
snugly the bed proper from the outside
and was painted in a tone the exact color
of the mahogany. Each post was fitted
with brass castor, so that 1t moved about
easily, and when the bed was handsomely
attired 1t created quite a sensation as
novel home appointment.
, For it's winter dress the top, from post to
post. was covered with f1owery material
in linen or silk. Around the four sides was
a comfortable ruff1e three-eighths Of yard
wide. trimmed on the edge with a tassel
fringe, while at each side of the headboard
hung long, full curtains, and yet not too
full, of the same charming texture as the
ruffle. To complete this pretty picture
there was deep valance which ornamented
the lower part of the bed. This English af-
fair was sung place for cold winter nights,
and when the warmer days set in the up
holstery was taken down and the bed dress
ed in a thin summer attire, or left bare.
Dainty Fabrics Used.
Bed hangings are now the fashion The
daintiest and lightest of colorings are used
for Their rom madras of pure white, nets,
tambour n4uslins or the thicker and thin
ner fabrics of soft India silk, to brocades
In all their pastel shades.
A charming appointment for a chlld's
room, particularly suitable for little girl,
Is white wood bed painted in a slight
floral design and outlined with gilt. The
monogram Of the little one or her first
name should decorate the headboard AS
an artistic treatment a large gilt or brass
ring should be hung from the wall through
which two curtains are passed, falling in
graceful folds at either side. They can be
of blue or pink India silk, a dainty design
of Swiss muslin edged with beading or lace
or fringe. If preferred, they can be tied
back with narrow satin ribbon in tints OF
pure white, pale yellow pink or blue. If a
more slender drapery is desired there are
figured nets, in colors or plain, prettily lined
colorS.
But the dressing of beds is an art in IT.
self. 1t dates far back, and in some cases is
famous for its conspicuous splendor AS a
rule white is considered best, on account
of its purity, yet there are delicate color
ings which are attractive if rightly chosen.
Bows of ribbon roSettes and big loops and
ends in any of the colorngs already named
form a good finish.
AS for hangings, the market abounds with
many beautiful textures. Tambour sets are
charming with dPaperies of the same tex
ture. The French white work is exceeding
w tain nf
thinner material. Japanese fabrics are al
ways acceptable, and be had in pure
white with knotted fringe or in tan or
tea-colored silk edged with lace of the same
shade.
Valances.
Every bed should have a valance. 1t is a
finish to the four sides. and may be had in
any fabric desired 1t should be furnished
with two-inch hem, wide casing through
which a tape Is run on to the bed at an in
terval of a quarter of a yard wide. 1t may
may match the hangings or not, as prefer
red.
In one artistic home the bed in the guest
chamber became the prominent feature of
the room by the aid of a large empire look
ing glass The bed. for want of more room,
stood against the wall the glass forming
a background for the canopy that decorat-
ed both head and footboard.
The draperies were of sage-colored silk
with stripes and flowers one shade darker.
These hangngs were fastened to crown
like cushion hung from the ceiling and edg
ed with a fall of deep sage lace, which fell
gracefully on either side of the glass and
showed the frame in it's beautiful empire
design of gray and white plaster.
The bed was adorned with brass carvings
on all sides, and to enable the guest to get
into it with ease two handsomely carpeted
steps were placed at the SIDE The spread
and bolster roll were of fine sheer swiss
triy nod wit n inSa A m
rated with field flowers and grasses, adorn-
ed the center. The bolster roll was trimmed
with rosettes of sage satin ribbon. and both
| spread and roll were lined with the same
| shade aS that of the hangingS,