March, 1910 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



91 



chased, even if it be an imita- 

 tion, but whatever the financial 

 situation, the householder must 

 avoid those oak monstrosities 

 with upper shelves and silly 

 compartments. Care must also 

 be exercised in building up the 

 spaces over the board. In this 

 case a picture is hung, with old 

 \'enetian iron candlesticks, but a 

 mirror might have taken its 

 place. A word of caution is 

 necessary just here. One must 

 never mix china and glass on 

 the sideboard. Silver and glass. 

 Yes! Or all china, or all glass, 

 but no conglomeration. 



The great expense involved 

 lies in the table and chairs, for 

 which prices are constantly vary- 

 ing. This one (Fig. 10) cost 

 $11 twenty years ago, and can 

 be stretched to seat sixteen 

 people. When the manufacturer 

 was asked for one like it, he 

 threw up his hands in horror — 

 then asked $50! The chairs, 

 though, can always be had for 

 $7 or $8 apiece, and although 

 not especially pretty, are not ob- 

 trusive. They are of mahogany, 

 with leather seats. 



In the second dining-room 

 (Fig. 11) of like dimensions, the chairs are better 

 tations of them may be had from $9 to $12.50 



Fig. 9 — The plate shelves over the low-boy, on which Can- 

 ton china is placed, cost $4 to build by a local carpenter 



striped paper covers the walls, 

 which, while differentiating the 

 two rooms, also brings them into 

 harmony. And this is as it 

 should be, violent contrast being 

 the greatest of all sins in interior 

 decoration. Things should 

 blend; color-schemes merge one 

 into another; transitions be 

 made easy and delightful. A 

 disregard of these laws is not 

 confined, however, to those of 

 modest means, and many a great 

 house is consequently spoiled. 

 But in an apartment one can 

 never be too careful. One must 

 study effects, and be scrupulous 

 regarding fine details. As one 

 who means to use plates in deco- 

 ration must look at them from 

 two points of view, so one must 

 study a stuff, never buying so 

 much as a chintz without look- 

 ing at it in several ways; flat, as 

 on a seat covering, then up 

 against the walls. After that, 

 one must see how it looks in 

 folds, as when looped back. 

 Only yesterday I saw a pretty 

 chintz sample which a bride was 

 considering, and decided her 

 against its purchase because the 

 folds made it seem heavy in 



Imi- color, and the light, seen on it when flat, brought out quite 



The a different tone from that seen when it fell straight. These 



whole air of this dining-room shows great reserve, and seem minor considerations, but they are vital when har- 



represents with taste, a greater expenditure. It opens out mony is to be attained. Special attention is drawn to the design 



into a parlor with the chintz furniture, shown in the preced- of the lambrequin and curtains, which are of deep ruby red vel- 



ing chapter, and, like it, is painted white. A gray-white vet, matching the carpet, and trimmed with silver braid. 



Fig. 10 — The corner cabinet contains rare old pieces of china and glass. 

 The plain mirror over the fireplace gives depth to the room 



Fig. 1 I — A charming dining-room with gray white striped paper on the 

 walls and deep ruby velvet curtains at the windows 



