May, 1919 
41 
introduce them into our own. 
These various shaped spaces 
are very useful for the plac¬ 
ing of books of various sizes 
in series, but it is only nat¬ 
ural that the heavier ones 
should be placed at the bot¬ 
tom, the shelves diminishing 
in height as they ascend. 
In a whole wall of books 
it is more effective if the hori¬ 
zontal lines are frequently 
broken, making it a definite 
break, and not a variation of 
an inch or two, but making 
two spaces the height of three. 
There is — or was until 
quite recently—in the Presi¬ 
dent’s office at the White 
House a scheme for protect¬ 
ing books in open shelves that 
was evidently taken from the 
houses in England, which is 
still in fashion in some of the 
large Elizabethan manors. It 
consists of a strip of pinked 
leather, which is fastened 
along the front edge of the 
shelves with upholstery nails, 
being two or three inches 
deep. This makes an edge wide enough to 
come over the top of the volumes, yet does not 
interfere with the withdrawal of the books, and 
prevents the dust from collecting on them. In 
using this method it is essential that the shelves 
be nearly the same height. 
Various Suggestions 
In planning a built-in bookcase it is a good 
idea to make the lower section a little wider 
than the other shelves. This makes not only 
a convenient resting place for your books, 
when looking them over for references, but 
window sill. These shelves 
should then be painted to 
match the woodwork of the 
room, and have a polished 
board on top to match the 
high mantelpiece. 
One way of remedying the 
sameness in a room is to in¬ 
troduce groups of shelves, 
giving the effect of pilasters, 
in connection with broader 
ones. This enriches the wall 
surface and lends strength, 
dignity and variety to the 
planning. It also affords a 
convenient place for small 
books, so they can be kept 
within reach. This whole 
plan shows a fine feeling for 
the laws of proportion, and 
offers many suggestions to us. 
The Library Essential 
The chief object in a book 
room is to provide a place 
where students can study, or 
readers obtain information 
from books convenient at 
hand, and yet be protected by 
a semi-isolation from the rest 
of the household. It need not be an elaborate 
room, but no matter how simple it may be, the 
very character of the furnishings gives dignity 
to it. It is very essential that there be plenty 
of light as walls of books absorb it, and it is 
preferable that there be only one door. This 
will save space, and produce a feeling of se¬ 
clusion, for in these days of strenuous living 
there is a charm in the atmosphere of the 
library. 
White paint should be avoided in the library, 
as it effects the restful feeling so necessary to a 
(Continued on page 68) 
If one is so fortunate as to possess a fine old book cabinet, such as this 
Chippendale antique, the books will be housed with proper dignity 
also gives additional space for large volumes. 
There are many ingenious ways of building 
these cases in old houses. In numerous 17th 
Century houses, closets were built in either end 
of the fireplace, and can be utilized admirably 
for this purpose. Simply remove the doors, 
and line with shelves, fit flush with the inner 
molding of the doorway, and stain to match 
the furnishings in the room. 
In other old houses that were built when 
shutters were in style, and which have window- 
seats, the wainscot can be cut away, and book¬ 
shelves fitted in to come to the height of the 
THE OCCASIONAL LAMP 
The Final Touch of Color to a Room 
These ean be purehased through tiu 
House & Garden Shopping Servici 
Of deep blue porcelain 
comes a bedside lamp 
with shade of mauve 
china silk with narrow 
fringe of deep blue to 
match. 19^2" high. 
$32.50 
A wooden urn-shaped 
cream color base, an¬ 
tiqued with touches of 
blue and gold, makes a 
smart lamp with a 
shade of parchment pa¬ 
per. 18". $30 
A candlestick lamp of wood, 
painted a dark blue, has a parch¬ 
ment paper shade with an antique 
cream background and a rose dec¬ 
oration. Height over all, 19". 
$21. This is especially suitable for 
the bedside table or boudoir 
An Italian urn in metal (left) 
may be painted any color to 
match the colorings of one’s 
room. Has a parchment paper 
painted shade banded in color. 
An appropriate bedside lamp. 
16" high over all. .$22.50 
