If the gray paper is used, have
the woodwork a pale gray, it is prettier than pure white for a common
room, and keeps clean much easier; but don't make the mistake of
getting dark gray for any of these things spoken of.
The prettiest carpet for a sitting-room — and only one, unless the fur-
niture is quite expensive — is an ingrain one, scarlet, green and white
being the most durable colors, will stand the most wear, and show the
least dirt, after many years of usage. But, if this seems too gay, and
perhaps it is, a gray, with darker shades in small designs or in tiny run-
ning vines, with scarlet berries is very pretty. Avoid set figures in a
common carpet ; get an undecided, running, or wood-like pattern, and
it will never grow old to you. If you start with a pretty shade of gray,
a neutral tint, then you have a good foundation to commence upon — a
suitable background for any color you may want to bring into your
house.
Now that the carpet and walls are planned, next come the curtains.
Don't purchase cheap lace curtains or lambrequins — the latter are out of
fashion, valances being used in their place — or light gray or red Hol-
land shades are very pretty for this style of rooms. These may be
trimmed with fringe, with one tassel at the bottom, or be perfectly
plain. White cloth with antique lace across the bottom, or a tassel,
11
162 HOUSE FURNISHING.
make simple but tasty shades, and are much prettier than the deep
lambrequin, shutting out both .light and air, which, unless very skillfully
made, is clumsy at its best. The shades should be on rollers so that
they can be easily let down or pulled up. If there are no blinds at the
windows and the room is likely to be too light, get the thick oil shade,
white or gray.
The next to be thought of is a large table ; a marble top is expen-
sive, looks cold and is forbidding. Get a long, oval-topped table — if
the room is large ; there are dining tables with one leaf, or get
one made to order with three cross legs, or four single ones, and cover,
with ladies' cloth, felt or broadcloth ; the latter cloth is very wide,
and you only want the length ; put a thick sheet of wadding, or
several, under this, and then finish with common furniture ball fringe.
The cloth should be made to fit the top, with room enough to turn
over the edge, and fastened with small tacks. Put on the fringe with
tiny upholstering tacks. They are much better for this purpose than
the white-headed or brass ones, as the brass ones turn black and the
white ones are too cold-looking. A pine-top is good enough for this
table, as it is entirely out of sight. If you prefer, make a square table-
spread of cretonne or broadcloth, in the many ways described in the
fancy work department. A square of cretonne with a wide stripe
around the edge makes an easily arranged and inexpensive cover.
When the family are gathered around this table at night, under the gas
jet, or with the lamp overhead — a swinging lamp is very pretty, if it
comes within the range of the purse — or on the table, the latter filled
with books, papers and a work-basket — even these alone will make a room
look cheerful.
Page 143
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
If the gray paper is used, have the woodwork a pale gray, it is prettier than pure white for a common room, and keeps clean much easier; but don't make the mistake of getting dark gray for any of these things spoken of.
The prettiest carpet for a sitting-room — and only one, unless the furniture is quite expensive — is an ingrain one, scarlet, green and white being the most durable colors, will stand the most wear, and show the least dirt, after many years of usage. But, if this seems too gay, and perhaps it is, a gray, with darker shades in small designs or in tiny running vines, with scarlet berries is very pretty. Avoid set figures in a common carpet ; get an undecided, running, or wood-like pattern, and it will never grow old to you. If you start with a pretty shade of gray, a neutral tint, then you have a good foundation to commence upon — a suitable background for any color you may want to bring into your house.
Now that the carpet and walls are planned, next come the curtains. Don't purchase cheap lace curtains or lambrequins — the latter are out of fashion, valances being used in their place — or light gray or red Holland shades are very pretty for this style of rooms. These may be trimmed with fringe, with one tassel at the bottom, or be perfectly plain. White cloth with antique lace across the bottom, or a tassel,
make simple but tasty shades, and are much prettier than the deep lambrequin, shutting out both .light and air, which, unless very skillfully made, is clumsy at its best. The shades should be on rollers so that they can be easily let down or pulled up. If there are no blinds at the windows and the room is likely to be too light, get the thick oil shade, white or gray.
The next to be thought of is a large table ; a marble top is expensive, looks cold and is forbidding. Get a long, oval-topped table — if the room is large ; there are dining tables with one leaf, or get one made to order with three cross legs, or four single ones, and cover, with ladies' cloth, felt or broadcloth ; the latter cloth is very wide, and you only want the length ; put a thick sheet of wadding, or several, under this, and then finish with common furniture ball fringe. The cloth should be made to fit the top, with room enough to turn over the edge, and fastened with small tacks. Put on the fringe with tiny upholstering tacks. They are much better for this purpose than the white-headed or brass ones, as the brass ones turn black and the white ones are too cold-looking. A pine-top is good enough for this table, as it is entirely out of sight. If you prefer, make a square tablespread of cretonne or broadcloth, in the many ways described in the fancy work department. A square of cretonne with a wide stripe around the edge makes an easily arranged and inexpensive cover. When the family are gathered around this table at night, under the gas jet, or with the lamp overhead — a swinging lamp is very pretty, if it comes within the range of the purse — or on the table, the latter filled with books, papers and a work-basket — even these alone will make a room look cheerful.