The editor zvill gladly answer queries pertaining to 
individual problems of interior decoration and furnish¬ 
ing. When an immediate reply is desired, a self-addressed 
stamped envelope should be enclosed. This department 
will also purchase any of the articles here described for 
subscribers living at a distance, or will furnish the names 
of the places where they may be obtained. 
Refrigeration Without Ice 
N southern California, where ice is 
more or less of a luxury, a scheme for 
cooling eatables has been devised which 
depends for its action on nothing more 
than a cool draught passing constantly 
over and around the various articles upon 
the shelves. 
Practically speaking, it is a wooden 
shaft or chimney or closet—if you will— 
extending from floor to ceiling, one or two 
sides of which are formed by the wall 
against which it is built, or those of the 
corner, whichever it may be. Build it in a 
corner if possible, as that is the most eco¬ 
nomical way, two sides being already pro¬ 
vided for; also on a side of the house sub¬ 
ject to the most shade and the prevailing 
winds. 
First, cut two little windows in the out¬ 
side wall 6 by io inches, one near the ex¬ 
treme top of wall and the other a few 
inches from the floor. Build a wooden 
tube to fit these openings snugly, the 
length of these tubes depending on tbe 
thickness of the wall. Fit the outside of 
tubes with glass which can be removed 
in summer, or at least in hot weather, and 
cover the inside ends with mosquito net¬ 
ting. These completed, build the closet 
around them of %-inch matched pine, 
making all joints as tight as possible. As 
stated before, tbe closet extends tbe whole 
height of the room. Leave one side open 
to which will fit swinging doors. 
Next, build four shelves the size of the 
interior of the closet, of 2-inch stock and 
cover with heavy galvanized sand-screen¬ 
ing. Then, on opposite sides of the inte¬ 
rior of closet, secure cleats capable of sup¬ 
porting these shelves, their height from 
the floor being somewhat as follows: 24, 
42, 54 and 66 inches. At 36 inches above 
tbe floor place another set of cleats. The 
6-inch space between these and the ones at 
42 inches allows for an egg drawer. This 
is built a scant 6 inches deep, the bottom 
covered with screening like the shelves, 
and the interior of the drawer divided into 
egg compartments by means of slats. This 
drawer separates the cooler into an upper 
and lower compartment. The opening to 
the lower is about 18 inches high and that 
to the upper, 30. Fit doors to the open¬ 
ings and either set with glass or build 
them solid. With the doors tightly closed 
and the little windows opened a constant 
stream of cool air is drawn up through 
the closet, keeping the contents at a re¬ 
markably low temperature. 
The figured silk shade affords a soft light and is 
decorative besides 
Light-Absorbing Wall Paper 
It is a well-known fact among decor¬ 
ators that the coloring of a room makes a 
great difference with the light of that 
room. It is therefore wise to know some¬ 
thing about the effect of various colors 
upon light, when selecting wall paper or 
furnishings. The wall paper hangings 
and furniture often absorb the light as 
blotting paper soaks up ink, and a large 
percentage of the light of the room, either 
the free sunlight of nature or the expen¬ 
sive light from the electric light service, 
is lost. Bright or light tints materially in¬ 
crease the light of the room, as is patent 
to everyone. The following table will per¬ 
haps interest those who are about to deco¬ 
rate, and will influence a little the selec¬ 
tion of the color of the furnishings: 
Color of Wall— Light Reflected 
White paper. 70 per cent 
Chrome yellow . 62 
Orange paper. 5 ° “ “ 
Plain deal (clean). 45 
Yellow paper . 4 ° 
Yellow painted wall (clean). 40 
Light pink paper. 36 
Plain deal (dirty). 20 
Yellow painted wall (dirty). 20 
Emerald green paper. 18 
Dark brown paper. 13 
Vermillion paper . 12 
Blue green paper. 12 
Cobalt blue paper. 12 
Deep chocolate paper. 4 “ “ 
A Serviceable Cabinet 
A compactly arranged kitchen cabinet 
that would be useful anywhere has va¬ 
rious good points that make it a service¬ 
able addition to tbe country house. In 
addition to shelves for provisions and 
kitchen utensils, cutting-board, flour-bin, 
spice jars and metal card file and index, 
there is a bread and cake box with self¬ 
closing lid that is perfectly ventilated and 
at the same time mouse-proof. Ant-proof 
casters are also furnished with the cabinet 
if desired. Small metal receptacles into 
which the casters fit may be filled with 
water or kerosene oil, which effectually 
stops any visitations of hungry ants. 
About Lamps and Shades 
An ingenious electric lamp shade, de¬ 
signed by the Japanese, resembling an im¬ 
mense pumpkin, has just made its appear¬ 
ance in this country. It is made in globe 
shape, of fine bamboo covered with Jap¬ 
anese cretonne, the stuff being wound in 
and out between the tiny bamboo sticks. 
The globe is about eighteen inches in diam¬ 
eter, and comes in a number of colors 
flecorated with Japanese figures. One or 
two electric bulbs inserted in tbe globe 
form a very attractive addition to a Jap¬ 
anese room. It is hung by cords and is 
fastened with cord and tassel at the bot¬ 
tom. A half globe for indirect lighting 
from the ceiling is also made on the same 
Japanese plan and is most effective. 
Advance information about lamp shades 
160 
