HOME DECORATION. 
Cane and Parasol Rack. 
These pretty, convenient racks are intended for either 
the dressing-room or hall, and should be hung upon the 
wall, as a receptacle for canes and sun-umbrellas, or 
parasols. The foundation is made of thin board, which 
can be cut by a carpenter. It is to be shaped with three 
large scallops at the top, gradually tapering the sides 
toward the bottom, where 
it is finished with three 
smaller scallops. The piece 
of board should then be cov¬ 
ered smoothly with black 
leather, and fastened with 
small tacks all round the 
edge of the wood. It will be 
necessary to slightly slash 
the edges of the leather, to 
make it fit smoothly over 
the wood. Two pockets of 
the same black leather are 
then tacked on, the edges 
finished with a very nar¬ 
row gimp, held in place 
with small-sized tacks. Be¬ 
fore fastening the pockets 
to the back, the bottom 
pieces should be sewed in, 
first binding the edges of 
these semi-circles, and the 
lower edges of the pockets. 
Then overhand the edges 
of the pockets and semi¬ 
circles together, and tack 
to the back, as directed. 
Finish with gimp round the 
outside edges, also through 
the division in the pockets. 
The tops of the pockets 
should also be bound with 
gimp. At the top of the 
rack, in what may be 
termed the corners of the 
scallops at each side, two 
small screw-rings should be 
securely fastened, by which 
to hang it against the wall. The rack is now ready for 
its decorations. Golden-Rod and purple Asters form a 
pretty design, which can be easily painted, and contrast 
well with the dark leather. M. E. Whittemore. 
Fan-Painting. 
As the warm weather approaches, and spring merges 
suddenly into summer heat, fans become an absolute 
necessity as part of a lady’s toilet, and very dainty ac¬ 
cessories they often are, when works of art or curiosity. 
Many prefer decorating their own fans with designs 
pleasing to themselves, and this is not difficult, and is 
very fascinating. Flowers, birds, butterflies, or mono¬ 
grams, are all pretty subjects, and can be arranged as 
simply or elaborately as one wishes, though simplicity 
of design is the better choice, as failure is less probable. 
The fan may be mounted or unmounted, though less 
difficulty will be experienced if the mounting is done 
after the satin has been painted, but is, perhaps, rather 
more expensive. Purchase a white satin fan, with 
bone, or as they are [called, ivory sticks. They can be 
bought for small cost. 
Spread the fan out on a 
smooth board or table, on 
which a cloth has been 
placed to prevent the fan 
becoming soiled. With a 
lead pencil lightly trace on 
the satin of the fan the 
design .vliich has been se¬ 
lected for it, and then in 
order to keep the colors 
from sinking in the ma¬ 
terial, coat the design over 
with Chinese white, but do 
not allow the color to be 
thick, or it will crack off 
when opening and shutting 
it. The colors are to be 
laid over this white coating 
after it is dry, as in ordin¬ 
ary water-color painting 
on paper. 
Black satin fans are also 
very beautiful when deco¬ 
rated with rich coloring, 
and the manner of working 
is the same as for the 
white satin. 
Satin fans which are 
already mounted may be 
painted with oil colors also, 
but great care is necessary 
to prevent the oils defacing 
the satin. The fan is first 
opened to its full extent, 
pinned securely to a board, 
on which it must be left 
until entirely dry, other¬ 
wise it will be ruined. With an atomizer spray the 
satin all over with siccatif, a preparation of alcohol and 
white shellac, which may be purchased ready for use. 
Let this become thoroughly dry, and the colors cannot 
possibly run. Another method is to squeeze the colors 
from the tubes to a piece of blotting-paper, and this ab¬ 
sorbs the oil before using the paints. Lay the colors on 
quite thinly, and the result will be as pleasing as if the 
painting were executed with water colors. The fan 
must be left until perfectly dry before removing from 
the board. Small Palm-leaf fans, which are lighter 
and far more dainty than the large ones, can be gilded 
over with either gold-leaf or gold paint; then paint 
upon the gold ground a gay design, and tie a satin rib¬ 
bon, of whatever shade may be desired, round the 
