202 The Farmstead 



basis for the rug ; while more expensive, it is 

 also much more satisfactory than anything ex- 

 cept a good hardwood floor. There is often 

 far too great contrast between the furnishings 

 of the living room and the parlor ; between the 

 "spare room" and the family bedrooms. The 

 money spent in elegance which is shut up in a 

 room rarely used would serve to add much to 

 the comfort of the whole family. The guest will 

 enjoy the hospitality offered all the more if not 

 treated too ceremoniously. 



The furnishing of the living room should al- 

 ways include several easy chairs, a good lounge, 

 a place for books and magazines, and a thor- 

 oughly good reading lamp. If it can be af- 

 forded, a small room off the sitting room for 

 writing and study is very desirable. It should 

 contain book shelves, a large writing table or 

 desk, and a good lamp. But if the extra room 

 cannot be had, the desk and book shelves may 

 be placed in the parlor. There should certainly 

 be some place where the children may study or 

 any member of the family may read and write 

 uninterrupted. It is as irksome to write without 

 proper appliances as to bathe without proper 

 facilities. 



The furniture and decorations of bedrooms 

 can scarcely be too simple ; the walls may be 

 lighter and gayer than those of living rooms. 



