Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-22
FURNISHING THE PIAZZA.
The Ideal Porch is Combined Garden
and Living Room.

delightful rendezvous, can add very ma
teraily to the outward appearance of the
home. II should be charmed spot that
heralds the comforts within the house.
The porch is some times spoken of as
the outdoor living room. If every home
maker would call her porch by this name.
no matter how small il may BE-. and then
strive 10 make it worthy of the name,
now vastly would the number of success
ful porches be increased.
Tie porch is sometimes spoken of as
phere of a garden and the comforts of q
living room, with sufficient books and
magazines to bespeak an interest in life,
instead of mere idleness.
Let us imagine a bare porch ready to
be furnished First we should consider
the advisabiIty of engaging The services
of a carpenter to make fittings Flower
boxes should be put up if possible. If
space is limited drop-leaf table fas-
tened by hinges TO the side Of the porch.
will be found useful for it can readily
be set up when a table is needed. BY
folding against the side Of the wall or
railing it takes up practically no room
when not in use.
Flower boxes are usually built about
the outer edge of a porch and awnings
hanging plants, etc, 10 relieve the bare
ness. but too often the inner walls are
given no thought. A shelf erected against
the wall of a house above settle or
table Will often prove very effective when
tastefully arranged with plants. prefer
ably Of the hanging variety, OF with dec
oratiVe and suitable pieces of pottery.
Some verandas have framed pictures on
the walls These. if appropriately chosen
and hung on a porch that has privacy,
give a very pleasing appearance.
Every porch should have floor COW
erng, as this tends to give The feeling of
living room more than any other one
thing. 1t is natural to place the furni-
ture about the rugs and sociable ar
rangement is obtained in this way. The
method allows some of the chairs to
have their backs to the light, which is
especially desirable for reading.
Grass rugs with heavy cotton warps
are inexpensive and make charming
floor covering for a Veranda. They some
times become soft when wet and are not
very durable if the porch is much ex-
posed TO the sun and rain The hand
woven rag rugs cost a little more than
do the grass mats. but are more to be de-
sired. These should be chosen with
either a white or cream colored warp for
a porch that is bathed in sunshine as the
eolored warps keep clean for a remark
ably long time, and when soiIed merely
get string colored and do not give the
effect of being shabby unless placed be-
side fresher rugs
Willow or reed furniture is unquestion-
ably the most ideal for porch use. VIII
low is cheaper than reed, but less dura-
BILE a charming little willow rocker with
arms can be bought for $500 A high
backed rocker in willow can be bought
for $1l-when fitted with efetonne cush-
ions the price is Sl4. There are many
good STYLES of reed and wicker furniture
from which to choose and it is mistake
TO buy chairs for a piazza all alike.
Rustic furniture is one of the most in
expensive makes for porch use. 1t is
strongly to be recommended, particularly
for the country home
A steamer chair with foot rest, that
can be tucked away is convenient for
small porch where there is neither a
nor sofa on which 10 reeline
Rocking chairs are favorites for the
piazza, but there should be few straight
chairs as well.
1t will be found that prettier arrange
ment of furniture is possible with a mix
ture of styles. Straight chairs are use
full because they can be pushed up close
against the side of the house without
much danger of spelling the paint,
The colonial table settle, or ironing
table has come into great favor of late
years. Formerly these were considered
suitable only for the kitchen, but are
much used now in both outdoor and IN
door living rooms The advantage Of an
ironing table lies in the fact that it may
serve as both a seat and chest. and
can readily be converted into a table at
short notice When used as a seat it has
a high, solid back which Is often useful
for affording privacy, and for warning of
draughts.
The accessories of a piazza should be
given due consideration. Thought must
be given to the colors in the cushions
and the table covers, for not only must
they be considered in relation to the
porch and its furnishings. but also to the
flowers that bloom in close proximity
Table cloths and cushions are made ex-
pressly for piazza use, the materials be
ing washable and the colors fast. Eng
fish block prints are especially to be rec
commended.
It is almost impossible to have too
many plants and flowers on and about a
porch When there is not room for many
plants on the shelves, tables, etc, they
may be suspended and this is perhaps
one of the most effective methods of ar
rangement.
Charming jardinieres We're recently sold
at the five and teH-cent stores. These
had no chains by which they could be
suspended, but holes had been made in
the earthenware 50 that wires could
easily be made TO take the place OF
chains. The jardnieres when filled with
trailing asparagus or similar plants are
most effective.
Pretty holders of raffia can be bought
in the shops. but simple holders of wire
or string can easily be made at home
for a few cents.
A porch need not be made beautiful tol
the sake of display. but it can give pleas
ure to the outside world as well as to it,
occupants, just as does a lovely garden
1t can also bespeak taste and refnemen