present vogue. Make straight over-draperies from 
the same taffeta and hang at your windows, outlining 
the net curtains. The green and crimson of the 
flowers will bring the green and red of your rug into 
harmony with the room. Under no circumstances 
use any gilding on your chairs. Your portieres 
should he of plain red cotton velvet exactly matching 
one shade of your wall-paper. These should be 
made without interlining, simply placing two widths 
of the material together and tacking at intervals. 
Finish by a casing at the top and run loosely on a 
brass rod. Your woodwork should show an ivory 
tone in preference to white, and by all means have the 
oak grained mantel painted also to match it. The 
price of the linen taffeta is $1.75 a yard, fifty inches 
wide, and the cotton velvet is $2.40 a yard, fifty 
inches wide. I send you samples of these materials 
that you may see the colors and try them with your 
wall-paper, as it is essential that these harmonize 
with wall-paper and rug. 
IN REGARD TO PAINT SPECIFICATION 
I am informed by my architect that it is possible 
to have specifications written in which all materials 
covering the surface of the house, such as exterior 
paint, exterior stain, porch floor paint and finish for 
all interior standing woodwork and floors may be 
obtained from the same manufacturers. Is this 
true ? If this be so, will you advise me what manu¬ 
facturer you would recommend me to write to, as 
your experience in all of these lines is, of course, 
extensive. One advantage to me would be having all 
goods shipped together as I am pretty far from the 
center of things. Moose Jaw, Sask., Canada. 
Answer: I have sent you the address requested. 
I think you will find the materials advised will give 
you entire satisfaction. 
A NORTHEAST BEDROOM 
I am doing over my chamber, which is 15 x 15 on 
the northeast corner of an old-fashioned square 
house. The woodwork is to be white enamel, and I 
shall stain the original pine floor. Would like a 
dull green finish. What would be the best way to 
obtain it ? I want a light cheery paper. How 
would a white ground with pink roses in large figure 
do, without any border, using cretonne over-curtains 
to match at the two windows ? Or is there a more 
dainty way to paper ? Shall use white iron bed and 
golden oak chiffoniere and cheval glass. Maine. 
Answer: I think that you would find a soft brown 
stain more acceptable for the floor in the room you 
describe than the dull green. I, however, send you 
the addresses of the firms from whom these can be 
obtained. You do not mention whether you wish a 
gloss finish or not. You might use wax or any of 
the prepared finishes which are good. Some of these 
give a high gloss finish and others a semi-gloss closely 
resembling wax. I send you samples of paper with 
pink roses on a white ground, also a paper showing 
a mingling of roses and lilacs. This is a very attrac¬ 
tive paper on the wall. Your ceiling should be ivory 
white and drop to the picture rail. I have taken the 
liberty of suggesting the muslin draperies for this 
room, samples of which I send you. 
SELECTING A MANTEL FOR A LIVING-ROOM 
We are just planning the interior detail of my new 
home and I am particularly anxious to have this in 
good taste and attractive. The Editor’s Talks have 
been of much service to me in deciding certain points. 
I would, however, like a little specific advice in regard 
to the mantel question. My living-room will be 
finished in chestnut wood in accordance with the 
suggestions in the Editor’s Talks. This will be 
stained a dull brown. The room is 18 x 24 and has 
an alcove window. At the other end from the alcove 
is the fireplace and it will be a very large one. The 
wall above the six foot wainscot I wish to cover with 
a figured paper, something showing designs of trees. 
Would you suggest cobblestones, carefully selected 
in size, for the fireplace, or would you advise tiles ? 
I shall probably use brass fixtures in the room. As 
it is a large room and has a fairly high ceiling, per¬ 
haps the Colonial fixtures would Be suitable. I 
would, however, like advice on this point as well. 
There are beams on the ceiling, not heavy ones, how¬ 
ever, and rough plaster will be used between. What 
color shall I make the ceiling ? Should the mantel 
shelf be like the woodwork of the room or if I use 
the cobblestones would it look well painted :gray ? 
California. 
Answer: You do not state whether your house is a 
country house or will face a city street. This would 
make some difference in your decision in regard to 
the facing for your fireplace. If it is a country 
house, the cobblestones would be extremely attrac¬ 
tive, not however, for the hearth, as it would be im¬ 
possible to keep this in any degree tidy. The gray 
cement should be used for the hearth with the cob¬ 
blestones. File cobblestones should be laid in a 
gray mortar and set rough. 
By no means paint the mantel shelf. This should 
be of the chestnut like the standing woodwork and 
stained and finished in exactly the same manner. 
If this be a town house I would suggest tiles in a 
soft shade of sage green with the dull finish, for 
hearth and facings in preference to the cobble¬ 
stones. 
In regard to fixtures, wrought iron or bronze 
would be particularly attractive in this room. I am 
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