Evening star., 1924-05-09

books apart from the SUBJ
ject matter which they con-
tain. They add Importance ard
give an air of culture TO any room in
which they are placed. To possess
this value. the books need not be rare
and costly volumes. Even books of a
modest sort give to their surround
ings a certain domestic atmosphere,
and since every household possesses
collection of books either large or
small. the problem of their most suit
able arrangement must of course be
solved
In many houses there are spaces OF
various kinds, which afford opportu-
mites for the building in of small sets
OF book shelves, and il will be noticed
how decided is the improvement OF
the surroundings when such an odd
simple shelf. supported by cleats
nailed to the wall
An opportunity often exists where
there Is an unused door, for frequent
~ the space within the doorway
proper may be fitted with shelves
which are stained, painted. or other
wise finished to match the rest of the
doors woodwork, and then filled with
books
Another place where built-in book
shelves may sometimes be used is be-
low window, which is somewhat
higher than the ordinary window.
The top of the book shelf should be
on level with the window sill.
open book shelves possess certain
Disadvantages. Dust gets on the
oooks. Glass doors would be a pro-
lection, but such cases are not nearly
as convenient. and when books are
quite frequently used. the former pla
is best. especially for a real book
rover. who would prefer to do little
busting in order to keep his treasures
where they would be within ready
reach, in preference to placing them
behind glass doors even il the books
are dustless.
Cheap editions of books. provided
with gay covers OF brilliantly colored
paper, give a very effective note OF
color to any room. The covers can
be made of parchment paper wall
paper, or any OF the decorative art
papers obtainable. The covers look
we'll when brightly colored and in a
OF gold or silver paper looks well
mingled with the others. The papers
can be varied as much as possible and
are especially decorative when they
reproduce the color schemes of the
room containing the book shelves.
ShOtce OF E1ciurfS.
Pictures upon which the eyes rest
daily exercise an influence on our
lives, so that ii is better TO have a
few that are well chosen and proper
1y framed than to have a room full
OF pictures which have no special
bearing or meaning.
The subject portrayed in a picture
sclhould not determine its position on
the wall. Its appropriate size and
proportions. its color and lines are
the determining fators.
Each picture should also stand out
in strong contrast TO the wall color
ing behind it. a small room may be
made TO appear larger by selecting
such pictures for the walls as have
depth and space, such as views of dis
tant hills. broad eXpanses of ocean
or plains, and deep interiors
You will be confronted with the
problem of how TO arrange certain
number of pictures so that indvid-
ually each will be placed in good
light and collectively they will con-
tribute to the decorative effect of
the room
Tho frame of picture should not
attract so much attention that one
will study the frame more than the
picture IL incloseS. Landscape pic
lures usually are better in recessed
than in projecting frames. Plain
gilt frames bring out the rich color
ing of paintings in pastel. and if not
too conspicuous are usually in har-
mony with other furnishings.
The mistake of hanging pictures
too high is as common as that OF
hanging them too low is rare. II
you hesitate between two levels, de-
eide upon the lower. When they are
hung on the line of vision. a tilted
position is unnecessary. With the
usual arrangement of screw eyes a
picture cannot hang f'at against the
edge of the frame in plain sight.
where they will hold the picture nat.
They should be dull black for dark
wood frames. brass for gilt frames.
and should range in size according to
the size of the frame they are to up
hold. Large pictures should be hung
on two chains running vertically TO
hooks on the picture molding. Be