458 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS December, 1907 



The Stairs in Mr. Lord's House Rise from the Living-room 



draped back with washable cords, so as to present a pleasing 

 appearance from the street. Over these suspend, from a 

 small brass rod, thin silk or silkoline curtains of a color 

 which harmonizes with the colors in the room — yellow, pale 

 green, or pink silk makes effective screens anci gives a pleas- 

 ant light. Yellow gives the effect of sunlight, and should 

 be used in a north room. These silk curtains may be drawn 

 apart when more light is required. From the large rod 

 drape curtains of hea\'ier stuff — cretonnes, chintzes, or 

 denims — any wash material, 

 if for a bedroom; heavy 

 silks, brocades, or any rich 

 hangings, if for living-room, 

 reception-room, or library. 

 Hang these at the outer 

 edges of the inner curtains, 

 either in straight folds or 

 draped over curtain knobs 

 of antique design. The brass 

 or opalescent knobs of our 

 ancestors, when obtainable, 

 are serviceable and beautiful. 



If the problem is to treat 

 a window of an upper apart- 

 ment where the securing of 

 privacy is not so essential as 

 the screening from view of 

 neighboring roofs and chim- 

 neys, a pretty way is to cross 

 the curtains next to the panes 

 and loop them high on either 

 side, so as to form a straight 

 line of drapery across the 

 upper part of the window. 

 Then arrange pots of grow- 

 ing plants and ivies across 

 the sill and train them to 

 within twelve or more inches 

 of the upper curtain. The 

 result from the interior of 



the room will be a charming 

 view of sky framed by the 

 curtain and the hedge of 

 growing green. Plants are 

 always beautiful in windows. 

 Leigh Hunt expressed the 

 opinion of many when he 

 said: "Why does not every 

 one who can afford it have a 

 geranium in the window, or 

 some other flower?" 



If the plan of framing a 

 piece of landscape is to be 

 adopted, omit the curtains 

 next to the panes and hang 

 straight white or cream col- 

 ored curtains on the rod just 

 inside of the heavier drape- 

 ries, and draw these apart 

 to admit the outer view. 

 Curtains cut Morris fashion 

 may also be used in this way. 

 This means that two pieces 

 of curtain are hung from 

 either side with a ruffle run- 

 ning along the top, thus 

 making a frame for the 

 view outside. Too much 

 trimming in the way of 

 ruflles and lace, however, 

 should be avoided. Heavy draperies are not always used, 

 but in the average house they add greatly, not only by con- 

 cealing the commonplace woodwork and the straight outer 

 edge of the white curtains, but also by repeating the color 

 scheme of the room ; for care should always be taken to 

 choose material for them of a color which harmonizes with 

 the woodwork and with the wall covering. 



The heavy wooden cornices which were in vogue in the 

 early eighties are not considered in good taste to-day. 



Quiet Simplicity Characterizes the Interior 



