436 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF FACTS. 



When the sideboard is simple in its lines 

 and dark and subdued in color, whatever is 

 put on it will show to better advantage. 



The Drawing Room of course should be some- 

 what light and gay ; fitted to be bright at 

 night, and should not have any point of con- 

 centration, or be too decided in any way. 



The Library, where it is a library, should 

 contain nothing to distract the attention ; the 

 ornament and coloring should be of the most 

 quiet kind. Instead of things being so ar- 

 ranged as to appeal to the eye, the eye should 

 have to search for things. 



Bedrooms ought to be airy and rather light ; 

 but curtains hung so as to be easily drawn to 

 shut off draughts and light are desirable. If 

 the furniture is to be bought in the shops, the 

 plainer it is, the better. 



General Advice. Advice in these things 

 an only be of value so long as we remember 

 that it is but advice ; but the occasion would 

 probably be rare when we could not let the 

 following have the force of rules : 



North rooms, south rooms, poorly or fully 

 lighted rooms, whatever their uses may be, 

 should have some attention given to making 

 their coloring suit their respective quantities 

 and qualities of light. In doing this, that 

 kind of contrast between different rooms in a 

 house which is always pleasant, is secured. 



Adhere as much as possible to simplicity of 

 general arrangement. Avoid on the one hand 

 meagerness, and on, the other hand what is 

 perhaps worse, overcrowding. 



Beware of " hard finish " and white paint, 

 and all large spaces of plain white in carpet, 

 curtains, walls, or ceilings ; of brilliant things, 

 large mirrors, displays of gilding and marble, 

 and elaborate cast metal gas fixtures, long lace 

 curtains,, sentimental statuettes and bronzes, 

 and an undue abundance of small " artistic " 

 things. 



It is better not to indulge a fondness for 

 that useless order of things which includes 

 " tidies," "mats," worsted embroideries, etc. 

 As we usually see them, they are harsh spots 

 of white or inharmonious vivid color, and not 

 untrying to the nerves of those who do not feel 

 at liberty to treat them with disrespect, and 

 who do not like " fancy things," although 

 they may care for art. 



Finally, do not be disturbed if your house 

 be simple, inexpensive, and unpretending ; 

 but do be disturbed if it be " cheap " ; that 

 is, if it be evidently not a fine thing, while it 

 makes a shallow pretense by being dressed up 

 in the fashion of a fine thing. Extreme sim- 

 plicity and great dignity may go together 

 dignity and cheapness, never. Remember that 

 6 quiet harmony of colors, and the simplest 



mode of arranging simple things, are always 

 good, and that brilliance, abundance, and ex- 

 travagance are always at least near the perilous 

 borders of no-land. 



Woods. An account of the qualities of 

 the different woods may be of use to the pur- 

 chaser. 



Ash is rather lighter colored than oak, but 

 is sometimes used in connection with it. It is 

 less likely to split. 



Beech, a very close and tough wood, is chiefly 

 used for the -framework of chairs, tables, and 

 bedsteads. It is nearly of the color of birch, 

 but rather paler, and it may be known by the 

 presence of those peculiar little specks of darker 

 brown, which are easily seen in a carpenter's 

 plane. 



Birch is very close-grained, strong, and 

 easily worked. It is of a pale yellowish brown. 

 If polished or varnished, it somewhat resem- 

 bles satinwood, but is darker, and by staining 

 is capable of being made to closely resemble 

 Honduras mahogany. It is used in the better 

 kinds of low-priced furniture. 



Cedar somewhat resembles mahogany, 

 though more purplish. It has no "curl," 

 and is free from tendency to warp or " cast." 

 The best varieties have a peculiarly pleasant 

 aroma, which is offensive to moths ; hence it is 

 highly valued for making drawers and chests 

 for clothing. 



Chestnut is coarse-grained, strong, elastic, 

 light, and very durable. Some of the best of 

 the cheaper furniture is made of it. It looks 

 so much like white oak as to be frequently used 

 in combination with it. 



Ebony is of a deep black color, and highly 

 prized for several -purposes, particularly inlay- 

 ing. It is exceedingly hard, heavy, and dura- 

 ble, but expensive. Pear and other woods 

 dyed black are often substituted for it ; but are 

 not so susceptible of good polish and luster, 

 or so permanent in color. The best comes 

 from Africa ; a kind variegated with brown is 

 brought from Mauritius and Ceylon. 



Mahogany is imported of two kinds Hon- 

 duras and Spanish. The former has a coarse, 

 loose, and straight grain, without much curl or 

 wave. The latter is darker, with curl, by which 

 in great measure its price is regulated, and 

 with a very fine, close texture. Spanish ma- 

 hogany will bear great violence ; it is also free 

 from any tendency to warp. When, how- 

 ever, it is very much curled, it is not nearly 

 so strong or so free from twist ; but this is of 

 little consequence, as its value is so great that 

 it is generally veneered on to some less valu- 

 able wood, as Honduras or cedar. The heavi- 

 est mahogany is generally the best. 



Maple is of several qualities, the bird's-ey$ 



