The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-27
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FOR THE SUMMER PORCH.

The feature of this years trade in fur nishing summer cottages, say the furni- ture dealers. is the passion for simplie- ity, says an exchange. In the selection of summer furnishings of all sorts, the homemaker seems to aim at prlmeval simplicity and sensibleness of living. This may be due to the fact that city folk live a strenuous winter life and really hunger for quiet in summer; or it may be due to one of those unwritten man dates of Dame Fashion, who invades even the furniture world
 Be that as it may, the fact remains that the family which takes possession of a summer home, whether for three months or one, no longer drags out fur nishings from it's town house. but buys inexpensive furniture and household es- sentials. which are delivered at the ex- rense of the firm which sells them. thus saving considerable in freight, express and carriage.
 II the country house is taken on a lease for several seasons and many are now rented in this way-the house. hold goods are not moved back to town but left in charge of some neighborhood oaretaker' who goes through the house at intervals to see that neither thieves nor rats break in to destroy.
 To meet this demand the trade has supplied all sorts of light furniture, in- expensive hangings and space-saying de- vices.
 For the bedrooms the furnishings are almost Spartan in their simplicity. The favorite arrangement shows a rug of finely woven matting to place before the bed, another for the washstand, a low iron cot chest of drawers, an easy chair, good sized hanging mirror and washstand. When the house is sup piled with running water the washstand is unnecessary, but as few country houses built for summer rental only are blessed with this convenience, there is brisk trade in light iron washstands. painted in white enamel. with an enamel pitcher to set in the stationary basin.
 The np-to-date summer housewife de- votes her energies to making the porch and the living room attractive, as very little time is spent in the bedroom In the real country home there is no draw-
 
 ing room, but big roomy, delightful liv- ing room, and for this apartment rush furniture is the correct thing It comes in various colors, but green enjoys the greatest popularity-a green that is cross between hunters green and olive.
 Every piece of furniture imaginable comes in this make. There are bookcases, low and roomy with a shelf on top for ornaments, and a finish that suggests mantel if one be lacking in the house. There is a iamr pedestal built from five graduated shelves, each of which will hold a couple of books, and the whole brings the lamp just where it throws an excel lent light on the reader.
 An ideal center table for the summer room in this ware is four feet long by two wide. with a rocmy shelf below 1n- tapestry in woodland color tones is inset. Couches, settees. lounging chairs, writing desks tea carts, tabourettes and small, straight Lacked chairs all are shown.
 The prices charged are no higher than 1 for the mission furniture and lower than for ordinary wcze: ware. The general ef- .ect is cool and restful, and the rushware harmonizes with any decorative scheme.
 Mating in woodland tnts, green pre- dominating, come for use with the rush furniture, and window draperies are of madras