April, 1909 
new, original 
weaves. For sum- 
mer homes and 
cottages there is a 
surprisingly large 
collection of cre- 
tonnes, printed 
linens and linen 
taffetas. 
The center of the 
dining table affords 
an opportunity, not 
realized in every 
home, for decora- 
tive ideas in cut 
flowers and growing 
plants. The minia- 
ture Japanese gar- 
dens set forth in 
shallow Japanese 
bowls make quaint 
centerpieces. For 
flowers that grow 
on tall stalks, daffo- 
dils, narcissi, hya- 
cinths, tulips and 
lilies, the Japanese 
way of standing 
them in flat dishes 
supported by a pot- 
tery or metal holder 
is gaining favor. If 
potted plants are to 
be used on the din- 
ing table there are 
attractive Jar- 
dinieres to be had in 
Russian brass or 
copper, and rattan 
ferneries made in 
Japan. 
Certain other 
small objects that 
add a more purely 
decorative touch to 
the home are the 
ornaments for the 
mantel-shelf. These 
have so much atten- 
tion _ concentrated 
upon them and are 
viewed at such close 
range that the most 
careful thought 
should be given to 
their selection. How 
often one sees a 
complete disregard 
in the mantel orna- 
ments for anything 
approaching beauty 
of form or color, 
and how many times 
the eye rests unin- 
terestingly on a too- 
generous array of 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
7—A bedstead with cane head and footboard is a new departure 
9—A flowered paper always suits old-fashioned furniture 
145 
inferior articles. 
What to exclude 
from the mantel- 
shelf is more readily 
listed than what is 
best to place there. 
It is now generally 
conceded that fam- 
ily photographs and 
purely personal 
souvenirs are to be 
reserved for one’s 
private rooms and 
are not to be ex- 
posed in the formal 
rooms of the house. 
Amateur handicraft 
and the odds and 
ends that mark the 
season of gift-mak- 
ing should not have 
mantel space, nor 
should the memen- 
tos of travel that 
are interesting only 
for their associa- 
tions. 
With so much 
popular attention 
given to  stenciling 
(which seems to be 
taking the place of 
china painting, em- 
broidery and  py- 
rography) a wide 
range of usefulness 
is opened in home 
arts. 
Many unique 
stencil patterns may 
be applied on linen, 
crash and _ cotton 
crepe for the minor 
articles that are re- 
quired for home 
comfort — covers 
for the toilet table 
and bureau, laundry 
bags, handkerchief 
boxes, adding the 
touch of charm that 
only such exclusive 
work can bestow. 
In fact, whatever 
portion of the home 
is approached from 
the decorative point 
of view there are 
limitless resources to 
draw upon either 
through home talent 
or in the manufac- 
tured products of 
our own country 
and the importa- 
tions from foreign 
places, 
