Neither, again, are lambrequins, the homeliest of all window
ornaments that have been devised. They do not serve the pur-
poses of a curtain, nor add to the warmth or shading of the room,
and they do not give the effect of drapery, since they are at the
top of the window and look for all the world as though nec(?ssity
had compelled the rejection of their nether extremities — short
where they should be long, plain where they should be gathered
in folds. Lambrequins are not decorative, and, save in bed-rooms,
where they can be made of some light, bright-colored material, and
be a match for other portions of the furniture, they arc not desirable.
Farprettier than they are the unbleached muslin curtains, trimmed
with bands of colored s^lesia, and hung on rods with pretty walnut
or brass rings. For bed-rooms these latter curtains are admirable,
serving the purpose for which a curtain is intended, and adding to
the general attractions of an apartment.
Where the rooms are all to be furnished differently, these curtains
are extremely adaptable, the borderii\g not showing on the under side,
and having from the street the same general appearance. This fact
should be borne in mind in furnishing windows, for where curtains
vary much the external effect is not pleasing. Few things set off a
house more than careful attention to the cleanliness and decoration
of its windows, and the true secret of success in both these desirable
ends is found in simple furnishing. A window which is too heavily
draped is not likely to be kept thoroughly neat, and a room darkened
by a surplus of drapery is unhealthy. Windows should be made
beautiful by carefully considering the uses which they are to serve,
and this is the only way to make and keep them attractive. If they
are merely to be used for the ordinary purposes of a reception-room or
parlor, they may be more draped than when they are to serve as a
place of entertainment and a place of observation for the occupant
of a room. In order to make them as acceptable for the latter pur-
pose, all hindrances in the way of curtains should be ignored, and a
simple shade should be used, or curtains of a light kind, that can be
easily removed.
48 TPiE hearthstone; or, life at home.
As a rule, we do not err in over-decoration ; the fault is the other
way ; and windows are the barest portions of the room many times
where they ought to be the most adorned. Flowers, more than
anything else, add to the beauty of windows, and nothing is easier
of possession than a few vines or growing plants.
Hanging-baskets decorate, but these are seen only from within,,
and the heat from the gas soon destroys the beauty of flowers kept
in the room. Window-gardens proper are far more preferable, and
these can be made without half the cost of lace curtains, and will
give double the amount of pleasure.
The objection to them — that they require to be attended to — will
not hold good when it is remembered how much time is spent in
keeping draperies clean and free from dust. But the genuine love
which so many persons feel for flowers will prevent them from looking
upon their careful nurture as a trouble, and, for those who will tend
them, their beauty is an ever-abundant recompense.
Page 25
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Neither, again, are lambrequins, the homeliest of all window ornaments that have been devised. They do not serve the purposes of a curtain, nor add to the warmth or shading of the room, and they do not give the effect of drapery, since they are at the top of the window and look for all the world as though necessity had compelled the rejection of their nether extremities — short where they should be long, plain where they should be gathered in folds. Lambrequins are not decorative, and, save in bed-rooms, where they can be made of some light, bright-colored material, and be a match for other portions of the furniture, they are not desirable. Farprettier than they are the unbleached muslin curtains, trimmed with bands of colored silesía, and hung on rods with pretty walnut or brass rings. For bed-rooms these latter curtains are admirable, serving the purpose for which a curtain is intended, and adding to the general attractions of an apartment.
Where the rooms are all to be furnished differently, these curtains are extremely adaptable, the bordering not showing on the under side, and having from the street the same general appearance. This fact should be borne in mind in furnishing windows, for where curtains vary much the external effect is not pleasing. Few things set off a house more than careful attention to the cleanliness and decoration of its windows, and the true secret of success in both these desirable ends is found in simple furnishing. A window which is too heavily draped is not likely to be kept thoroughly neat, and a room darkened by a surplus of drapery is unhealthy. Windows should be made beautiful by carefully considering the uses which they are to serve, and this is the only way to make and keep them attractive. If they are merely to be used for the ordinary purposes of a reception-room or parlor, they may be more draped than when they are to serve as a place of entertainment and a place of observation for the occupant of a room. In order to make them as acceptable for the latter purpose, all hindrances in the way of curtains should be ignored, and a simple shade should be used, or curtains of a light kind, that can be easily removed.
48 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.
As a rule, we do not err in over-decoration ; the fault is the other way ; and windows are the barest portions of the room many times where they ought to be the most adorned. Flowers, more than anything else, add to the beauty of windows, and nothing is easier of possession than a few vines or growing plants.
Hanging-baskets decorate, but these are seen only from within, and the heat from the gas soon destroys the beauty of flowers kept in the room. Window-gardens proper are far more preferable, and these can be made without half the cost of lace curtains, and will give double the amount of pleasure.
The objection to them — that they require to be attended to — will not hold good when it is remembered how much time is spent in keeping draperies clean and free from dust. But the genuine love which so many persons feel for flowers will prevent them from looking upon their careful nurture as a trouble, and, for those who will tend them, their beauty is an ever-abundant recompense.