Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-27

4SSASACA q
Pot of enamel paint nor a jar of liquid
bronze will make old things into new. and
no number of ribbon boxes will make a
room either beautiful or habitable. Simple
honesty is not only the best policy, but also
the best possible guide. If we consider our
houses not as show places, but as homes,
homes in which our minds, as we'll as our
bodies. are to find a place. and in which
all the family are to grow and develop, we
will bring about a vastly desirable state OF
affairs.
The woman who bravely avows that she
cannot afford parlor. but who invites her
friends INTO sitting room that is a delight
to the eye. and that tells of happy. cheer
full home as well. need fear no criticism.
Her house is built and arranged for her
family's good. And. although she does not
offer her friends formal entertainment, she
can give them what Is better-a glimpse OF
simple, satisfactory life
A tea table can occupy one corner of the
room. And its message of good cheer will
never go amiss. The old expression to
break bread Is full of meaning. Let hospi-
tally be as simple as 1t may, the mere
fact of eating and drinking means a whole
heartedness and a relaxation from rigid
formaliJty that nothing else can give.
A center table Is blessing. The pres
ence of it's bright lamp. it's periodicals and
its books suggest sociabiIity and delightful
intercourse. The opportunity l. offers for
the drawing up of many chairs is silent
invitation, and 1t so possesses silent
charm that is all its own. What we most
need in our modern social life are infor-
NAL gatherings, where companionship can
be enjoyed without the preparations and
the fears attendant upon dinner or re-
ception. The center table is promoter of
just such good fellowship.
Avoid
Oriental draperies In readers den Fit
the wall with warm crimson or sage plain
paper or canvas or burlap, so that the
readers brain may not be set spinning with
subconscious problems on the origin or sig
nificance of patterns. Have low bookcases
there a comfortable divan, small library
table or kidney writing desk. Hang
meaningfui pictures, etchings, colored
prints, or even handsome photographs,
simply framed: derive your diversity OF
color from karabagh or Smyrna rug and
divan cover and pillows. Also hang soft
crimson or olive green scrim or net cur
tains over green or tan Holland shades.
Have q drop lamp with green or opalescent
shade q good writing desk, chair, one deep
willow chair, stained green or dark brown.
and one Morris chair and hassOck or two.
Surroundings like these Will conduce to a
real enjoyment of the books you gather
there and give restful effect to the room.
Plenty Of
Fresh air in our living rooms. in our pub
lie conveyances. in our bed chamber, our
schools. our churches would insure us
longer lives and more JOY in living.
4 We may avoid drafts and protect our
selves from the effect of a sudden chill by
the judicious choice OF warm wool for our
underciothing and by loose. well-made gar
ments which confine no vital part. But let
us have the window open, II not all the
time then at intervals through the day, SO
that the house may be flooded with pure
air and noxious germs put to flight.
In many houses there is a constant and
distresslngly evident Odor of dinners past
and present pervading the atmosphere. The
concentrated scents and essences of veg
etables. of roasts and fries and broils cling
to the furniture. fill the carpets and curtains
and subtly do violence to the refinement
which should belong to every beautifully
appointed home.
a day, after each meal, would suffice to ex-
orcise the ghosts of departed dinners and
give every-room freshness and sweetness.
No odor should be suffered to permeate a
house except that sweet fragrance which
comes from absolute. inviolate cleanliness
and from flowers which are agreeable to
every sense
There is another and less obvious way In
which we may keep open our windows. We
can keep ourselves open to receive new i'm
pressions. not to shut our windows and re-
tain old grudges. old prejudices.
The dim chaos OF our mental background