Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-25

floor 10 not injured by the moving, and its
scratches can be concealed by rug.
Floors may be stained with solution of
permanganate of potash the strength being
tested to secure the proper shade. AS this
is only water color, IL should not be used
except on new wood wood which is
free from VarniSh or grease. GREASE anu
varnish, however, always can be r=mov "a
from old floors or old wood with lye well
washed out and then washed over with
vinegar.
After a stain has been applied the floor
to be put in perfect condition should receive
one or more coats of filler, depending on
how much the grain has been raised. After
being rubbed with sandpaper Il may be
waxed or finished with sheIlac The worst
of floors can be treated successfully II these
suggestions be followed.
Any painter or carpenter can supply
walnut stain This can be applied with a
brush. A coat of shellac over the stain
gives good polish and makes a floor pre-
sentabie with little or no trouble. 1t can be
kept shining after 1t has been wa shed by
being rubbed with a coarse flannel damp
ened with mere suggestion of oil.
Bed room draperies never should be of
wool or any heavy stuff You must have
things that will wash, unless all your ap-
pointments are so sumptuous that they en-
title you to the use of silks or embroidered
hangings But even then your taste might
be questioned.
The Walls
OF an English country cottage built on the
old lines are roughly distempered to
warm tone of cream. contrasting well with
the red brick OF the floor and of the wide.
hospitable fireplace. where the old-fash-
Toned dogs suggest the pleasant cracking
of log fire on the hearth. At either side
Of the fireplace a high-backed oak settle
brings in a strong element Of the pictur-
esque as well OF the comfortable: for the
nna fl,a
purpose of seat and of a screen from tie
draft of the door. One completes the pic
ture with stout furnishings, the bread and
butter cupboard of yore, now turned into
a convenient receptacle for hats rugs etc.
the oak chest, gate-iegged table and solid
backed chairs. all near of kin to the set
ties. On the latter cushions of scarlet
moreen and at the windows short curtains
or the same lend CHEEKY note OF color TO
the whole effect.
A smoking room of England that might
have the same treatment were 1t a music
room has walls skeleton paneled; that Is to
say, divided by wooden holdings into pam
els filled In with colored canvas, olive
green. The floor is laid with oak boards
and the ceiling Is oak ribbed. And here
useful hint may be given as to the finish of
an oak-ribbed ceiling. An alert eye should
be kept on the plasterer, who should on no
account be allowed to lay his plaster with
the perfect smoothness which may be his
ambition. This would at once impart
hard look not at all in keeping with the
idea. Should the plasterer be afflicted with
slightly shaky hand 1t will in This in
stance have its distinct advantages, for the
work will then have just the rough. ysavy
surface that is much to be desired.
Above the canvas aneled portion of the
wall Is run plate shelf, and above this
again the plastered walls have been distem-
pered by putting the distemper on stip-
ping brush and from that on to the walls
thus giving mottled effect finish, which
is particularly good. The idea of carrying
the canvas paneng 10 height of several
feet above the mantel shelf Is excellent, and
the canvas should be chosen with a view
blue and white of the old Dutch tiles I'm the
fireplace The doors are of oak planks and
the bottle glass set into the upper panels
gives an added touch of quaintness to
room that Is as pleasant to inhabit as 1t is
delightful to view.