FINISHING. . 37 



of neatly stained blocks or stripes will prove to be not 

 only pretty and cheerful, but a great saving of carpet- 

 buying and carpet-sweeping. 



If walnut-stain is thought too dark and sombre for 

 parlor and bed-room wood-work, there are various delicate 

 shades in paint that can be purchased of druggists or 

 manufacturers already mixed, any one of which shades 

 are preferable to -hard, glaring white. Soft dove, wood, 

 and pearl-gray tints, are desirable, and a room looks well 

 when painted in two shades of the same color providing 

 the work can bo done by an expert hand. Otherwise, 

 let only one shade be attempted. 



MANTELS. 



A fire-place goes farther than anything else in giving to 

 a room character and beauty. Every dining-room and 

 nursery, at least, should have one. In the cool weather 

 of spring and fall, when the morning and evening air is 

 a little sharp, or when a long cold rain-storm is making 

 everything " damp, moist and uncomfortable," there is 

 nothing more delightful, both for old and young, than a 

 brisk fire upon an open hearth. With what beautiful 

 rosy light and a gentle warmth it fills a room, and how 

 it laughs and dances and seems to say to every one " be 

 glad with me !" 



And then, aside from its home-like beauty and good 

 cheer, who can count, the depressing chills and miasma, 

 and floating seeds of disease, that are seized by its friendly 

 flames and whirled up the chimney before they have time 

 to lay a finger upon us ? 



Next to the wide windows and the bath-room, dear 

 house-keepers, be sure to insist upon the fire-place in 

 your house plans ! 



An " imitated" fire-place appears like one of the cruel- 

 lest of shams ; but if a real one cannot be afforded, a 

 mantel is still a graceful and dignified feature of house- 



