The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1904-01-15
CHILDREN,S OWN ROOM.
Inexpensive Arrangement of an
Apartment for the Use Of the
Little Ones.

idea of palatial mansion, planned out
with that easy comfort which Is really
luxury, says the Philadelphia Public
Ledger
This is misleading. however. Every
home ought to contain play room
one apartment which can be the chill
dren's very own Every house, with
very few exceptions, may have one. And
this statement is made strictly with
reference to middle-class homes.
Even two-story houses usually have
little extra room .andwiched between
sitting-room and bathroom. Ii is most
frequ ntly set apart for sewing, but why
not let it serve for a nursery? Think
how much 'idying up might be saved,
If toys could be left behind there, in
stead OF being scattered through every
room in tn 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 mex
pensiyely fit up a play room. have, if
dr5n love to scribble and mark every
available space. and this arrangement
permits them TO Go so. Biackboarding
is not very expensive. Above il a border
of Mother Goose pictures might be ar
ranged, as they always give pleasure to
young children. In the case of small
room this decoration may be supplied
in amateur fashion by clipping Mother
Goose pictures and pasting them on the
wall. afterward coating them with shell
lac. The upper part of the wall may be
covered with any cheap paper, provided
1t is plain and in good taste preferably
light colored. for greater cheerfulness.
There are specially designed wall pa
pers, of course. which illustrate the
stories of Red Riding Hood and other
Juvenile tales of like character These
are by TO n ans beautiful however ard
preclude Che hanging 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 we'll
chosen ensrayings, or even photo
graphs.
By the way, some may argue against
the blackboarding that il would tend to
encourage the childish habit of dc facing
walls, but this has never proved 10 be
the case when the exp riment has been
tried; rather the contrary. If the fitting
of the room must be done at minimum
cost a wainseoting of thick brown paper
may be substituted ia tened Gown at
its upper edge with a narrowing mold
ing. This can be renewed lrCm time to
time
The general idea 10 be kepti in mind in
fitting up such a room is the avoidance
of sharp corners. There should b
round instead Of a square table. and
rocking chairs should find no place in
the chilGren's room. In the first place.
they are dangerous, usually infiicting in
juries to cutiole sooner or later, in tbs
second place children should not be per-
mitted to acquire the rockingham
habit. which is conducive to round
shoulders
Each child should have separate re-
pository for story books and toys. If
tn re Is but one closet in the room a
shelf or corner should be allotted to
't+N +s NfiN-iatlRH - btSj IIoNlHCH DN
using those Which have curyiue pipe
SIT In a board which fits beneath the
lash Thus air is admitted without
crHeht. Perhaps needless to say, if
there is an open fireplace in the room
the fire should always be protected with
a screen too strong and well secured Tor
ellie hands to + move
Il Is best 10 nave no carpet. See that
The Wood II fht floor is smooth. and
throw down soft russ and cushions,
which Mil prevent the little ones being
hurt M their romps. ard yet can be easily
cleans d
Astrone box couch may be improyised.
il there is room for it. and if the man Of
the house possesses carpentering in
eeruiN out Of an oblone packing box.
with wel-padd d. hinged lid and
Genim upholstery. This pvovid a re-
pc TORY for toys and other things. and
is nice fer the little ones to rest on when
tired cf play.
i need hardly be said that in any
house whore choice can be exercised the
chiilr1a's room should be on the sun
nit1 and ighJesi SIDE Let Them have
place lo themselves. how YER. even if
it i Lot Ideally located.