Evening star., 1941-10-24

:cOmeS part OF the furniture grouping
and cannot be considered sepa-
rately. Consequently, your picture
should be placed on the wall with
regard to the composition of sofa
and picture together. I would sug-
gest inches above she back Of
the sofa unless it is unusually high.
One or two inches higher or lower
might look better. but I shall leave
that to your judgment.
Dear Miss NOVEL;: I am PLAN
ming to paint the walls in an old
kitchen which has very dirty and
greasy walls. I have been told that
they must be cleaned before the
paint will stick to them. Is this so?
If so, what shall I use to clean
them? H. G. F.
Answer - Scrubbing them with
strong vinegar will do the trick, or
any Of the commercial cleaners,
used according to directions, will
make the surface ready for paint.
Dear Miss NOVEL;: I would like
some suggestions on how to pep up"
the first floor in small house I am
renting. The walls and woodwork
have just been done over. The walls
are painted a good gray, with oyster
white woodwork. The dining room
paper, to be my selection, will go on
above a gray dado. R. E. S.
fo Eoar
mind your rug colors, and I would
suggest that you get one Of the new
large floral materials for draperies
in your living room. Accent this
with upholstery fabrics in plain COL
ors, inspired by the shades in the
drapery fabric. Repeat your colors
across the hall in your dining room
in a striped or medallion wall paper,
many of which are very gay this
year. Accent this with plain colored
fabric for drapery, and try to ar
range it so that the colors in both
rooms in rugs and fabrics are
planned to go together.
Dear Miss Novel;: I am unde-
cided about the purchase of a sofa.
I do not know whether to get down.
filled or spring cushions. Which do
you think are the most practical for
household with children?-Mrs.
E. S.
Answer--Down is the most lux
urious and very comfortable for
adults, but I am afraid that with
children in the house you would
spend most of your time f1uffing the
cushions. They do look mussed
when sat upon, and should be
treated with respect. Spring
cushions, when we'll padded and
made by a reputable firm, are
equally as comfortable and Ger
tainly will stand the wear and tear
given them by healthy children
much better. 1t will also save your
going around after them continu-
ally smoothing the cushions.
Dear Miss NOVEL;: The bricks
around my fireplace opening are
dirty and stained. Is there any way
ter to paint them? I have only seen
the facing painted black, which do
not like. Is there any reason why it
should be black? K.D.A.
Answer-You may clean them with
muriatic acid. This is excellent for
all brick, marble and such things,
but you must handle it with the
greatest care, as it is poisonous and
will stain anything it touches. Wrap
a soft cloth around the end of a
slender stick and tie it on securely
with thread. Dip this into the acid
and paint it on the brick. Two treat
ments should clean it nicely. If
you prefer the paint, select any
color that pleases you, preferably a
color that carries out one Of the
notes in the room. You will find all
shades used. Dark tones will make
the fireplace opening smaller; light
ones make it more noticeable. So
be guided by what yours needs.