THE EDITOR’S TALKS AND CORRESPONDENCE j 
The Editor wishes to extend a personal invitation to all readers of House and Garden to send to the 
Correspondence Department, inquiries on any matter pertaining to house finishing and furnishing. Care¬ 
ful consideration is given each inquiry, the letter and answer being published in due time as matters of 
interest to other readers. Where an early reply is desired if a stamp and self-addressed envelope are 
enclosed, the answer will be sent. No charge whatever is made for any advice given. 
T he response to the editor’s note of invitation at 
the head of these columns has been so unpre- 
cedently large that it has become necessary 
to open a new department in House and Garden 
for the benefit of those of our readers who require 
prompt and more extensive service than can be sup¬ 
plied them through the Correspondence columns. 
Where plans are sent for advice on the complete fit¬ 
ting, decoration and furnishing of the house these 
should be addressed to House and Garden, De¬ 
partment of Decoration. 
This new department is under the immediate super¬ 
vision of Margaret Greenleaf, the editor, assisted by a 
competent corps. 
The exterior color for the house as well as full 
scheme for the interior treatment will be forwarded 
upon request, the latter to include wall treatment, 
woodwork, fixtures, tiles and entire fitting and 
furnishing of the home. Addresses of firms manufac¬ 
turing or handling the products recommended will 
be supplied, when practical samples of materials 
will be submitted, and when desired, wall coverings, 
furniture, draperies and floor coverings will be 
purchased. 
A careful study of each house plan is made, and 
where the owner has formulated a scheme of decora¬ 
tion, his plans will he carefully followed and sug¬ 
gestions and samples sent in accordance. A self- 
addressed envelope mailed to the Department of 
Decoration will bring any further information de¬ 
sired. 
The Correspondence Department will continue to 
publish queries and replies of general interest which 
are not too voluminous for our space. The new 
service has been planned to give thoroughly practical 
help to those who request it. To the woman who 
lives far from the center of things, and who is conse¬ 
quently somewhat out of touch with the latest ideas, 
this department will be of a special value. It is 
hoped also, that it may be further useful to the archi¬ 
tect, particularly to him who is located in the smaller 
towns. Where his ideas, or those of his clients. 
are fully formed, it will be the part of this department 
to supply him with the samples of material in accor¬ 
dance with the suggestions he may send in. This 
will apply as well to the contractor and the builder. 
Where plans are submitted they are regarded as 
confidential and returned to the owner or architect 
when the scheme goes out. It is the sincere wish of 
House and Garden in making this unusual olfier to 
its readers to supply them with the best advice and 
the opportunity to make the best selection and pur¬ 
chase within their means. It is requested that a 
limit be set on the amount to be expended in decora¬ 
ting, or furnishing, that the samples sent may be of 
practical value. It is also requested by the editor that 
all plans sent in show the exposure of the house and 
the character of wood employed for floor or standing 
woodwork be noted. With this information in hand 
substantial service can be rendered. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
THE SELECTION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 
Would you be kind enough to inform me where I 
can obtain reliable assistance in the purchase of rugs 
for my own home. I desire Oriental rugs but as I 
am only an amateur in my knowledge of these I leel 
that I should have expert advice. 
Answer: If you will mail to this Department a selt- 
addressed envelope we will take pleasure in forward¬ 
ing to you the names and addresses of several firms 
who are entirely reliable and who will advise you in 
regard to the quality of Oriental rugs. Quality of 
course is a most important consideration. However, 
in making the selection if you have already chosen the 
wall covering or the fittings of the rooms it is quite 
essential that these be considered in the purchase of 
your rugs. 
Samples of wall covering, drapery and furniture 
covering should be carefully compared with the rugs 
{Continued on page 15, Advertising Section.) 
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