Living, and Other Rooms 



165 



simple a delicate background for a few small pictures or prints. Nothing elab- 

 orate or disturbing should be tolerated. You may be luxurious if you wish, but 

 let that luxury be 

 quiet rather than 

 demonstrative. The 

 chamber is a place 

 to sleep, and as such 

 should suggest its 

 purpose. 



The modern 

 boudoir, which 

 properly forms a 

 part of the bedroom 

 suite, holds the same 

 relation to the mis- 

 tress of the house 

 as does the den to 

 the master. It is 

 really her private 

 sitting room or 

 office, and some- 

 times, under the 

 elasticity of modern 

 planning, is located 



on the first floor, off the hall or drawing room. Thus used, it should contain a 

 desk, sofa and several comfortable chairs. 



Following the lead of its prototype, the boudoir may be decorated in a rich 

 and elaborate manner, although there seems great danger of overdoing the thing. 

 The general scale should be small and delicate, suggestive of feminine retire- 

 ment. Small prints and art objects can well be used, although, as in all else, 

 moderation should be observed. Japanese decoration and ornaments are rather 

 suggestive for this room. 



The dressing room fully defines its purpose in its name. Like the boudoir, it 

 should be delicate in treatment, and at the same time much simpler. Its furni- 

 ture, comprising a dressing table, chiffonier, mirror and the like, is best under- 

 stood by those who are to use it, and is in detail largely a matter of taste. Here, 

 as in all other cases where furniture is to be selected, it is advisable to procure 

 pleasing designs. The old models, whether really old or copies, are by far the 

 safer investment, as most modern designs are utterly worthless. This is not saying 

 that there are no bad old designs; their proportion is far less, however, than in the 

 modern effort. 



The dressing room should have closet room enough to accommodate the 

 wardrobe. It is awkward in the extreme to be obliged to crowd fabric which 

 has a tendency to crush into a space altogether too small for it. Ample room in 

 this case is worth having. 



An unusual " den " at Osterville, Mass. The rugged character of this room is carried out 

 by the shingle-covered walls 



