Norwich bulletin., 1912-09-21
GOOD TASTE IN HOUSE FURNISH.
 ING.

Dear Social Corner Housewives: We hear asgreat deal about the simple life nowadays, but nobody seems to have solved the problem of it well enough to give much helpful advice. Most of the accounts one reads sound very complicated indeed, as if people took so much pains to save work that in the end they only worked harder. I fancy 1t is something each one of us will have to solve for herself.
 But don't you sometimes get dread fully tired of dusting and fussing; and don't you sometimes wonder when you are sweeping if there really is any use in having so much stuff around to take care of? There really isn't, half the time
 Some women seem to want their rooms crowded; thev say they want to take away the bare look. And they cover the top of everY table, crowd the mantel and load the piano with vases, photographs, cups and saucers, pictures, bisque figures-a perfect tumble, to say nothing of medley of calendars and souvenirs. Probably they don't begrudge the time involved in taking care of so much stuff, but I wonder if they honestly do enjoy liv- ing in the midst of it? It does not seem possible; for usually the most fragile articles are put right where they seem waiting to be knocked off, and 1t certainly takes skill and long practice to steer safe course among the furniture.
 wonder if they ever stop to think of the restfulness of living in a room where there is no more furniture than is necessary for comfort and conven- fence. And when you stop to think ahnIIt if if fc Trie ta little you really do need.
 A day or two ago I read an article on house furnishing that I wish every Social Corner Housekeeper, and all the brides-to-be, who will soon be housekeepers, could read. It is in the October number of The Delineator and the title is '1s Your House Hon est?' Mrs. Goodnow has written a most practical, sensible article that ought to set every woman thinking
 We have improved since the day of gay tides, ribbon bows on chairs, hand painted molasses jugs and banners and draped picture frames but l think we all need to ask ourselves he1 questions:
 Is everything in my house suitable for my house?
 Has it some purpose. some reason for being there?
 Is it harmonious and appropriate and really beautiful?
 Some of these things may be use- full; a tidy, for instance. The high backed cushioned chairs that are SC delightful to lean against need some protection or there will soon be ar ugly smutty spot on the covering which a simple square of linen or Q, good lace would protect. But when WI put gaudy tidy on every chair, higF or low, we only cheapen and disfgurt our furniture.
 Tn the same way a lace or embroid. cred centerpiece is beau tiful on a pol ished table; but if in addition to tn, centerpiece we put doilies on all tn, corners we spoil the effect, no matte how beautifully they may be made And here another word may be said We should not use poorly made lace and eInbroiderles; they are abomina, ble A plain hemstitched linen sauar Is far better than flimsy Battenberi work.
 It Isn't necessary to spend so mucl money on our house furnishings as i Is to spend a good deal of thought much common sense and infinite goo taste.
 Unfortunately, many of us hay things that are not in good style, hu are durable and useful, and we can afford to throw them away and Ee pfE. We must turt make thsm 3