and cream colored linens are much used with a thick band of embroid-
ery a couple of inches from the edge, and finished with antique lace.
Some of the handsomest shades have a band of wide guipure lace set
in the center, finished with the same lace edge, or set in, a couple of
inches from the bottom and finished at the edge with the same. Buff
linen with brown silk embroidery is*considered good taste ; also, striped,
gray and white Holland shades, which give a soft and clear light, par-
ticularly the buff ones.
The question of Holland window shades is generally settled by the
colors of the room. Crimson is desirable for a north light, but soon
loses color in the sun. For a sunny room green and buff are recom-
mended, with a preference for buff. Green Holland, though making
agreeable shades, turns bluish by exposure to the light. Buff shades
keep their color the best, and while admitting more light when pulled
down, they keep out the red or hot rays, and the blue or growth pro-
moting rays, and admit only the yellow rays, which are non-active. The
bright, soft light of a room whose windows are shaded by buff Holland
blinds is the most agreeable for working that one can have, allowing
ample light but no glare. Physicians especially recommend buff shades
for the sick-room.
VESTIBULE AND HALL.
The hall is the key-note to the whole house, therefore everything
about it should be dark and solid. Light colors are frivolous, and gild-
ing is out of place. Dark, rich colors, with a dash of deep red, are
mostly used for wall and ceiling decorations. Plain tinted walls are also
in good taste. If frescoed the color should never be light or airy. A
new paper for halls has excellent designs in " tiles," in dark ohVe green
and gray tints ; with these are used a corresponding dado.
If possible have a tile or inlaid wood floor, but if this cannot be had,
stain the floor a deep wood brown with the base boards and moldings
to match. Or in place of the stained floor use a covering of wool or
India matting, and on this it is an excellent plan to lay the hall with a
strip of carpet like that of the stairs, or carry the same strip of carpet
right along. Rugs are very inviting for a wide hall, and are cleaner
and healthier than carpets. The prettiest color for a rug or carpet is a
crimson ground with small figures, or moss green that has a yellow
glint under the sunshine.
The staircase should be well set in the hall, but not too near the door.
It should be broad, if possible, with low, wide steps. The carpet should
harmonize with the appointments of the hall, and should be made softer
and more enduring by a pad beneath. If you have no vestibule doors,
and wish to make the hall less in length, a lambrequin of dark cloth,
embroidered linen or heavy leather paper, hung from a strip fixed above,
will give effect. If the hall is very narrow, don't attempt a magnificence
VESTIBULE AND HALL. 153
in the matter of hat-rack and stand. A mirror, if you will, with pegs
each side of it, and a wood slab below only wide enough to hold a book
or "silk hat," with glove drawer; a small wood bracket, on the other
side, will hold a salver or plate for visiting cards.
Page 134
Presented as published in 1886. 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
and cream colored linens are much used with a thick band of embroidery a couple of inches from the edge, and finished with antique lace. Some of the handsomest shades have a band of wide guipure lace set in the center, finished with the same lace edge, or set in, a couple of inches from the bottom and finished at the edge with the same. Buff linen with brown silk embroidery is considered good taste ; also, striped, gray and white Holland shades, which give a soft and clear light, particularly the buff ones.
The question of Holland window shades is generally settled by the colors of the room. Crimson is desirable for a north light, but soon loses color in the sun. For a sunny room green and buff are recommended, with a preference for buff. Green Holland, though making agreeable shades, turns bluish by exposure to the light. Buff shades keep their color the best, and while admitting more light when pulled down, they keep out the red or hot rays, and the blue or growth promoting rays, and admit only the yellow rays, which are non-active. The bright, soft light of a room whose windows are shaded by buff Holland blinds is the most agreeable for working that one can have, allowing ample light but no glare. Physicians especially recommend buff shades for the sick-room.
VESTIBULE AND HALL.
The hall is the key-note to the whole house, therefore everything about it should be dark and solid. Light colors are frivolous, and gilding is out of place. Dark, rich colors, with a dash of deep red, are mostly used for wall and ceiling decorations. Plain tinted walls are also in good taste. If frescoed the color should never be light or airy. A new paper for halls has excellent designs in "tiles," in dark olive green and gray tints ; with these are used a corresponding dado.
If possible have a tile or inlaid wood floor, but if this cannot be had, stain the floor a deep wood brown with the base boards and moldings to match. Or in place of the stained floor use a covering of wool or India matting, and on this it is an excellent plan to lay the hall with a strip of carpet like that of the stairs, or carry the same strip of carpet right along. Rugs are very inviting for a wide hall, and are cleaner and healthier than carpets. The prettiest color for a rug or carpet is a crimson ground with small figures, or moss green that has a yellow glint under the sunshine.
The staircase should be well set in the hall, but not too near the door. It should be broad, if possible, with low, wide steps. The carpet should harmonize with the appointments of the hall, and should be made softer and more enduring by a pad beneath. If you have no vestibule doors, and wish to make the hall less in length, a lambrequin of dark cloth, embroidered linen or heavy leather paper, hung from a strip fixed above, will give effect. If the hall is very narrow, don't attempt a magnificence
VESTIBULE AND HALL. 153
in the matter of hat-rack and stand. A mirror, if you will, with pegs each side of it, and a wood slab below only wide enough to hold a book or "silk hat," with glove drawer; a small wood bracket, on the other side, will hold a salver or plate for visiting cards.