lining is to be. If the bamboo is of a 
dark color, use a black pongee with bril¬ 
liant vari-colored flowers, and the effect 
when lit or unlit is stunning. Also a 
pretty ecru mandarin silk may be sub¬ 
stituted for the commonplace commercial 
outside silk. 
For a reception hall is an unusually at¬ 
tractive shade made of a black chintz or 
linen, with clear-colored Chinese figures — 
butterflies, pirouetting birds, dragon flies, 
even a graceful, green worm. A flat, 
flaring shape is best adaptable for this 
use. The chintz can be stretched very 
tightly, then lacquered, leaving the sur¬ 
face hard and shiny. The edges are 
finished with a greenish-gold guimpe. On 
a pure white Chinese vase or a black 
standard this is unusual, effective and 
decorative. 
For a branched candlestick to set on the sideboard 
comes this shield. It also would serve on a double 
wall bracket 
fray. This same shape is made up in a 
violet stripe with little yellow birds — an 
appropriate shade for a dainty woman’s 
boudoir. 
Men’s tastes rather lean to wicker and 
bamboo shades. They are substantial, 
and can be made very attractive. When 
bought in the shops the linings are often 
a hideous red or orange or an unfavorable 
green. The inside wire frame can easily 
be taken out, however, and the silk re¬ 
moved. If the wires are wound, do not 
trouble to remove the covering, but paint 
them with water color whatever color the 
I- 7 
An unusual shape for a (able where not much light 
is needed — made of a Chinese patterned chintz, 
heavily lacquered 
A Vase for Orchids 
Because of their very short stems, or 
chids are difficult to display properly. In 
an ordinary vase much of their exquisite 
beauty is lost, but it has been discovered 
that they look remarkably well when 
placed in the little cream jars which are 
common in Italy. These little jars are 
made of clear glass in most delightful 
shapes, and have long, narrow necks. 
They are being sold in this country now 
for use as vases, and cost about thirty-five 
cents apiece. One orchid or several may 
be used in them, and, while a bit of fern 
is a pleasing addition, it is not necessary. 
The Care of the Bathroom 
Once a week I have my bathroom 
cleaned with soap powder and a scouring 
soap. The remainder of the time I care 
for it myself; for the modern bathroom, 
with its tiled floor and walls, and its por¬ 
celain fittings, requires more attention 
than any other room in the house. 
The ideal cleanser for the bathtub and 
the bowl is gasoline. This, however, in 
careless or ignorant hands, is a dangerous 
fluid. Accordingly, I keep a can of it for 
my own exclusive use. 
Ordinarily, with a generous amount of 
gasoline and a clean, rough cloth I can 
make the bathroom fittings shine like new 
in a very short time. Occasionally, 
though, from careless handling of medi¬ 
cines, or other causes, unsightly spots will 
appear on the tub. These spots in many 
instances are difficult to remove. 
When the bathtub happens to be in this 
condition I cover the spots with scouring 
soap, place the stopper in the tub, and 
pour into the tub enough gasoline to cover 
the stains. I allow the gasoline to remain 
in the tub for a few minutes; then, with 
a clean, soft cloth I rub the stains briskly. 
I have never known this method to 
fail. And not only is the gasoline effica¬ 
cious in removing the stains, but when it 
is allowed to run out of the tub it proves 
an excellent medium to carry off grease 
and lint from the pipes that lead to the 
sewer. 
Striking, black figures on a white, cylindrical back¬ 
ground. An effective shade for a corner of the 
living-room 
While the bathroom fittings need to be 
cared for with infinite pains, even more 
care is required in washing the tiled walls. 
Careless cleaning frequently loosens a 
tile, which, once out of its proper place, in 
many instances necessitates the removal 
of the entire wall before the loose tile can 
be replaced. 
It is readily seen, then, that it is well 
for the housewife to keep the bathroom 
under her own supervision, as a careless 
servant may do much damage in a short 
time; and the services of a tile setter are 
expensive. 
(Continued on page 130) 
A bedroom set of pink shirred silk; the smaller candle 
lights for the dresser, and the larger for a bedside 
reading-lamp 
February, 1915 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
