Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-22
HOMEMADE BOXES.
Handy Affairs for the Odd Corners.

Written for The Evening Star.
One of the redeeming features of the
cleaning season is the distinctly housewifely
pleasure of installing upholstered boxes in
bed rooms, living rooms and reception halls.
The window seat which masks useful re-
ceptacle is now firmly established in the
domestic affections, and detached boxes for
myriad uses are offered by manufacturers
of upholstery novelties.
The mother of a growing family has at
last solved the problem of disposing OF
such household paraphernalia as school
books. tennis racauets, mittens, rubbers, etc.
The bed rooms in this home are small, while
the single closet in the entry Is under the
staircase and has been dubbed affectlon-
ately by the entire family the dark hole of
Calcutta. Nothing can ever be found with
in its recesses unless a candle is brought
into play So this year housekeeping lux
ury planned by the busy mother is a triple
seat which is to be fitted into the bay Win
dow of the living room. Each section, htted
to one of the low, broad window lodges, Is
a substantial shelf, with two under shelves
of uniform depth fitted into grooves: The
lower shelves are hidden by box-pleated
valance of sage-green deni mtacked TO the
top shelf which is covered smoothly and
tightly with the denim by braSs-headed up
holstery tacks. The cushions for this win
dow seat are detached and in three sec
tions, being of home manufacture, built
from the hair Of discarded mattress and
the green denim. In the shelves of one
section will be kept rubbers, mittens, etc.
In another will be slowed school books,
and in a third tennis balls and racquets,
base ball gloves and other small imple-
ments for outdoor games.
A handy young husband has spent his
winter evenings building an admirably plan
ned box to hold the belongings for his pros
pective heir. 1t Is a trifie shorter and more
narrow than the usual box couch, and is
set on casters. The inside is not uphol-
IL L.. ,I,st lg.vslo
into three parts. The sections at each end
are partitioned off and then fitted with two
little lodges or grooves each for holding
trays just like trunks. These wooden trays
are quite deep, and will hold layer after
layer of babys garments. In the center
at the bottom of the box are folded the
babys blankets and a dainty silkoline quilt,
while above this from brass hooks Is sus-
pended by ribbons the wicker basket with
it's manifold fittings. The outside of the
box is upholstered in rose patterned Gre
tonne to match the fittings of the young
mothers bed room.
fort is concentrated in this roomy recep-
tacle, 1t also serves as comfortably up
holstered seat which fits into an awkward
corner of the room The interior OF the
little woman thought that the sweet, clean
paint. with orris scented pads in the bot
tom Of Zach tray, was infinitely more san
ftary and easy to keep clean.
Match Hangtngs.
The new shoe boxes for bed rooms and
dressing rooms are admirably arranged
and upholstered in all the pretty cretonnes
and tapestries to match hangings and cur,
tains. The newest boxes are almost square.
and the sides are lined with bags or COM
partments fastened in with stout braid and
brass-headed lacks. Each compartment is
just large enough to hold one shoe or slip
per. This leaves square hollow In the
center of the box where stockings may be
laid The well groomed girl likes this box
because 1t prevents the rubbing of shoes.
Each shoe is on its tree, safe from scratches.
upholstered in, damask or tapestry, many
colored but for the empire room O. single
toned fabric In empire green or yellow with
the familiar wreath, is preferred These de-
signs come In both silk and cotton weaves,
q. very pretty and inexpensive denim being