Evening star., 1922-10-01
By Celestine B. Hodges

the wood itself ana Will stand up
even under, hard usage and still re-
tain its beauty?
Look at the construction. Are there
many small pieces glued together
that can come apart: is the frame
work glued or nailed together, or IS
1t put together with mortice and
joint?
In buying upholstered furniture 1t
Is. not SO easy to judge workman
ship. but you may know this: No
really well constructed overstuffed
furniture can be made and sold at a
low price. Because of its popularity
there is much low-grade overstuffed
furniture on the market. One very
sure earmark of 1t is the cheap quail
ity of tapestry or plush used to cover
it. Another Is its heavy ungainly
line So much of it Is entirely too
large for any ordinary home.
The best upholstered furniture is
made on hardwood framework. such
ar birch. ash or oak: Is stuffed with
hair and has the best quality of steel
springs. tied down to half their nat
ural height. each spring being tied
in place from six to eight times, in
stead of only twice, as is the case in
inferior grades. Across the front of
a chair or davenport there should be
a heavy, flexible steel wire. as this
gives to the weight of the body, pre-
venting the material from stretching
over 1T and tearing, as 1t will when
the framework is entirely of wood
Since a good tapestry or wool cover
ing costs almost. If not quite as
1t is better to buy a first-class piece
covered with denim or satine, and
wait two or three years for the final
covering. rather than get cheap ar
ticle already upholstered.
Much of the so-called wicker fur
nj which ipclnleS willow
reed and reed fiber. is not only very
attractive. but also of very excellent
construction. 1t will give years of
good service and has the advantage
equally good quality of mahogany or
walnut. Odd pieces of wicker furni
ture are adaptable in almost any
room in the house. and for sun
porch or breakfast room they seem
quite ideal. due to their fghtness and
the innumerahle colors and designs
in which they are made.
The next article will tell something
of upholstery materials ana fabr!cs-
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
In a living room papered with dark
blue in which mulberry draperies arc
used, what color would be suitable
for cushions on caned mahogany
chairs and daybed? y. {.
4 striped material. either damask
or cretonne. with tan back and stripes
of mulberry and blue or blue and gold
with a little rose would be effective.
What color of wall paper. rugs and
drapery shall l use in bedroom with
northern exposure furnished Wi;n
American walnut Fl. D. Il.
Yellow and apple green would make
an unusual and cheerful color scheme.
Choose a wall paper with a small
chintz pattern in yellow. Use gold
silk gauZe or yellow organdy glass
curtains. and overdraperies of apple
green glazed chintz or cretonne. and
green and yellow rag rugs.
Would narrow crocheted edge he
"a proper finish for a marquisette cur
tain? H. W. h.
Yes. if you put double hens in your
curtains first and then whip the lace
on by hand.
Is wicker furniture good for year
round use i'll a living room?
PCS.
1t is very good, especially when up
holstcred in tapestry or cretonne, and
combined with other furniture.