214 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
October, 1912 j 
A living-room with several styles of mahogany tables, arm chairs of 
wicker, and cretonne upholstery, that still is in good taste 
By the use of harmonizing tones, in walls, hangings, cretonnes, and rugs, 
nondescript furniture gives a unified effect 
tables and bookcases in this style, not overwrought and their em¬ 
bellishment confined mostly to simple moldings, may be good, the 
merit of the wood itself helping to atone for any lack of grace in 
form. Sideboards and cabinets to match, however, are apt to be 
quite “impossible." This variety is to be found in abundance and 
great discrimination is needed in purchasing. It is a good rule 
to insist on the utmost simplicity and avoid all attempts at any¬ 
thing ornate. No general idea of the cost of this furniture can be 
given except to say that it is apt to be expensive, the price depend¬ 
ing entirely on the character and amount of the upholstery, the 
kind of wood used and the excellence of the workmanship. 
Then there is the wicker or woven furniture made of willow 
osiers, reeds and rattan. The willow or wicker ware—and it is 
to the willow ware only that the name “wicker" is properly ap¬ 
plied — began to he imported from Madeira about fifty years ago. 
Now, however, the chairs and other articles woven in America are 
stronger than their prototypes and may be had in a great di¬ 
versity of patterns, including the original styles and also some 
really admirable adaptations. The prices for good willow chairs 
range from 
$3.50 to $18.00 
or $20.00, ac¬ 
cording to size 
and pattern; the 
chairs with 
pockets in the 
arms for maga¬ 
zines or fancy- 
work cost from 
$10.00 to $25.00. 
The simpler the 
weave and shape 
the less expen¬ 
sive they are, 
and here again 
the best taste 
will favor sim¬ 
plicity. Willow 
chairs and the 
flowered chint¬ 
zes and cre- 
Willow furniture comes in infinite variety and fits tonnes, available 
in satisfactorily anywhere in such ample 
gradually from time to time to replace other things that may be 
less desirable. 
Besides the foregoing consideration for lovers of the antique, 
this discussion is also meant for those that have no inclination 
toward the period styles and yet may be by way of looking for 
suggestions in other fields. Let all such beware of trying to give 
a room a homelike appearance, an aspect of up-to-date, comfort¬ 
able informality by making it, as they so often do, an “omnium 
gatherum” into which they crowd a hotch-potch of everything 
they happen to lay their hands on. In the selection and placing of 
nondescript furniture, an almost unbounded range of possibilities 
is opened up for the exercise of sound judgment. Its disposal is 
not to be entered upon lightly with a notion that it is a casual, 
trifling thing of easy accomplishment. Its successful treatment 
exacts even more care, thought and watchfulness of detail than 
the ordering of rooms where one style reigns supreme. A partial 
list of the kinds of nondescript furniture most frequently met with 
and a few pertinent remarks about them may prove helpful to 
those seeking a solution of difficulties. 
There is, to begin with, the sort made of walnut, rosewood or 
other dark woods, much upholstered, either in leather or stuff, 
comfortable to sit in and often with distinctly good lines. Chairs 
and sofas of this genus are sometimes very attractive. Mirrors. 
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With the high, beamed ceiling of heavy oak trim this furniture of sturdy 
lines but original design is especially appropriate 
