In a private house, or an apartment occupied only by one family, there is but little occasion for doors for the purpose of seclusion, except in sleeping-rooms. And, so far as that is concerned, doors offer comparatively slight obstacle to persons intent upon observing the oc- cupants of rooms ; the best preventative for unpleasant espionage is to have no uncomfortable secrets : if these exist closed doors will not conceal them effectually. Portieres are a better protection against draughts than doors ; they can be arranged with double cords, ample enough to shut off' all excess of air, while they admit enough to thoroughly ventilate any ordinary apartment. The texture of hangings is decided by their purpose and cost. Rooms exposed to a northern light will bear rich, bright colors, reds and golds ; while sunny southern rooms call for cool, dark shades of green and blue, and kindred tints that modify or absorb any excess of light. Two diffTerent tints of red, green, or blue produce a bad effect ; not two shades of one color, for harmonious studies of color make beautiful rooms ; either all the shades of one color must blend in perfect combination, or various colors in draperies, walls, and furniture must 12 THE HOME COOK BOOK. contrast. The soft fabrics hang in naturally graceful folds ; the best are the various Indian goods, old Persian and Oriental shawls, and scarfs ; fine, soft rugs drape well ; velvets are apt to be stiff, but velveteen is excel- lent in effect, as also are serge, double-face canton flan- nel, and cameFs hair ; chuddahs and afghans make beautiful hangings. The heavier Oriental stuffs that are stiff with gold embroideries should be hung nearly flat like the large, soft rugs ; they are very effective in dark, richly colored rooms, and in entrance halls. All the dark woolen fabrics and the Asiatic fur rugs should be guarded against the inroads of moths. Dining-room draperies are best made of any other fabric than wool ; this gathers and retains the odors of food ; the atmosphere of this room above all others should be pure and clear, without a suggestion of any by-gone feast — a Nemesis of hospitality — to disturb anticipation of enjoyment in those to come. THE PARLOR AND LIVING ROOMS. Unless the establishment is grand enough to afford a room of state reception for special and formal entertain- ments, an actual drawing-room, the parlor should be what its name indicates, and what it was in the man- sions on the continent — the talking-room — where the household congregates for reunion and entertainment. In the ordinary middle-class American house there is no occasion for a room of state; friends cannot be more highly complimented than by being received into the home circle in the living-room. With careful manage- ment this apartment never need be too disorderly to be seen by strangers. What if the piano be open, the table HOME MAKING AND HOUSE FURNISHING. 13 littered with papers and books, and the sewing-machine covered with work? All these are evidences of use. And if the children's toys are scattered about, who would not rather see them than know that the house has no children to brighten and bless it ?

AI-modernized reading of the original text

In a private house, or an apartment occupied only by one family, there is but little occasion for doors for the purpose of seclusion, except in sleeping-rooms. And, so far as that is concerned, doors offer comparatively slight obstacle to persons intent upon observing the occupants of rooms ; the best preventative for unpleasant espionage is to have no uncomfortable secrets : if these exist closed doors will not conceal them effectually. Portieres are a better protection against draughts than doors ; they can be arranged with double cords, ample enough to shut off all excess of air, while they admit enough to thoroughly ventilate any ordinary apartment. The texture of hangings is decided by their purpose and cost. Rooms exposed to a northern light will bear rich, bright colors, reds and golds ; while sunny southern rooms call for cool, dark shades of green and blue, and kindred tints that modify or absorb any excess of light. Two different tints of red, green, or blue produce a bad effect ; not two shades of one color, for harmonious studies of color make beautiful rooms ; either all the shades of one color must blend in perfect combination, or various colors in draperies, walls, and furniture must contrast. The soft fabrics hang in naturally graceful folds ; the best are the various Indian goods, old Persian and Oriental shawls, and scarfs ; fine, soft rugs drape well ; velvets are apt to be stiff, but velveteen is excellent in effect, as also are serge, double-face canton flannel, and camel's hair ; chuddahs and afghans make beautiful hangings. The heavier Oriental stuffs that are stiff with gold embroideries should be hung nearly flat like the large, soft rugs ; they are very effective in dark, richly colored rooms, and in entrance halls. All the dark woolen fabrics and the Asiatic fur rugs should be guarded against the inroads of moths. Dining-room draperies are best made of any other fabric than wool ; this gathers and retains the odors of food ; the atmosphere of this room above all others should be pure and clear, without a suggestion of any by-gone feast — a Nemesis of hospitality — to disturb anticipation of enjoyment in those to come. THE PARLOR AND LIVING ROOMS. Unless the establishment is grand enough to afford a room of state reception for special and formal entertainments, an actual drawing-room, the parlor should be what its name indicates, and what it was in the mansions on the continent — the talking-room — where the household congregates for reunion and entertainment. In the ordinary middle-class American house there is no occasion for a room of state; friends cannot be more highly complimented than by being received into the home circle in the living-room. With careful management this apartment never need be too disorderly to be seen by strangers. What if the piano be open, the table littered with papers and books, and the sewing-machine covered with work? All these are evidences of use. And if the children's toys are scattered about, who would not rather see them than know that the house has no children to brighten and bless it ?

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