HOUSE AND GARDEN CORRESPONDENCE 
TREATMENT FOR NORTH DINING-ROOM 
I wish to ask your assistance in deciding upon a color 
scheme for a north dining-room. This room has two 
windows opening on the north side. There is also a 
window opening on a court. The dimensions of the 
room are 18x21. There is a small hall between this 
room and the library. I'he library is of southern expo¬ 
sure, and the color scheme employed here is mostly in the 
soft shades of dull green; furniture and woodwork of 
mahogany. I wish to obtain an effect of dignity and 
liveableness combined, in my dining-room, if this is 
possible. The ceiling, I have neglected to say, is 10 
feet high. I am willing to put in a wainscot if you think 
it desirable, but the room is so uncheerful as it now stands, 
that I am afraid more woodwork would add to its gloom. 
The standing woodwork and floor are of oak. My 
furniture is also of oak and of a handsome heavy pattern, 
but is light in color. The walls now are crimson; the 
ceiling a light pinkish yellow. I am most dissatisfied 
with the room. I have put fluted crimson silk over the 
glass of the window opening on the court. This window 
is set about 18 inches back with radiator set under, from 
floor reaching to the sill. H. S. H. 
Your room as described promises well. I will begin 
by suggesting that you have the varnish removed from 
your oak furniture and restain and finish it. Choose a 
soft brown stain. The English Oak Wood Tint, I think, 
would be very satisfactory. Finish with a dull surface. 
The woodwork of room should match this in color and 
finish. Cover the walls with pumpkin yellow Japanese 
grass cloth setting oak styles about 32 inches wide at 
intervals of three feet. These will cover the joining of 
the grass cloth and should member with the lower mem¬ 
ber of plate-rail. The plate-rail should be about 35 
inches wide; this wainscot effect should extend seven 
feet from floor. The upper third of your wall should 
be covered with a paper showing pine tree tops against 
a rich yellow sky-line. The varying greens of the trees 
and the dull browns of the boles and pine cones make a 
delightful harmony with the soft nut brown of the wood¬ 
work, and the deep strong yellow of the wall and back¬ 
ground. The ceiling should be tinted a lighter shade of 
yellow than is shown in the frieze, this in turn is lighter 
than the Japanese grass cloth. 
Your oak flooring should be treated with Pollard 
Oak Wood Tint and finished with two coats of “Flor- 
satin.” This finish has the full beauty of wax but is 
very easy to care for and much more durable than wax. 
Your deep window may be made effective by having 
a mirror set in its full length. The effect of leaded glass 
may be given this by setting a frame over it. This can 
be made of wood and stained with Black Oak Wood 
Tint. This frame should be fastened securely to the 
sides of the window set close against the glass. Yellow 
raw silk showing a satin brocade upon it would make 
effective window draperies hung next the glass. At the 
two north windows reaching to the floor these curtains 
should be supplemented by curtains of fine point tapestry 
showing a design of pine trees against a dull yellow 
and old blue ground. These tapestry curtains should 
also be used in the doorway. A rug of two tone moss- 
green Wilton would complete the color scheme of this 
room. The chair seats may be of tapestry or of heavy 
green leather. All fixtures and hardware should be of 
dull brass. 
Margaret Greenleaf. 
FINISH FOR A MAN’S DEN 
Please suggest the finish for a man’s den, this to include 
book-cases built in, and, also, I wish a scheme for an 
attractive fireplace. I have a very beautiful Mexican 
Seraphi which I desire to feature in the room. I should 
like to use it on the wall. The room is 12 x 14. The 
ceiling I would like to have beamed. The simple lines 
of Arts & Crafts Designs appeal to me. W. F. D. 
I publish two views of a man’s den, which I hope will 
show you the way to arrange your study to your satis¬ 
faction. The “Seraphi” should be used as a central 
decoration over the mantel, as shown in the drawing. 
The walls above the wainscot should be of rough sanded 
finished plaster treated with oil paint in a shade of soft 
dull tan. The last coat of paint to have much turpentine 
added, as this gives a dull effect. The woodwork of 
cypress should be stained dead black. This includes 
also the beams of the ceiling. Between the beams the 
plaster should be tinted a trifle lighter shade of yellow 
than the side walls. 1 he same shade is shown in the 
unglazed tiles of the fireplace. Straight curtains of olive- 
green pongee should be run on brass rods by a casing 
at the top and be finished with a three-inch hem at the 
sill, hanging straight. The rug in this room must show 
some of the green and tan. All fixtures, hardware and 
andirons should be of wrought iron. By avoiding any 
over decoration in the way of pictures and bric-a-brac, 
this room may be made most artistic. The furniture, 
of course, should be on the same simple lines and very 
little variety of color introduced in any way. 
Margaret Greenleaf. 
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