The Editor wishes to extend a personal invitation to all readers of House and Garden to send to the Correspond¬ 
ence Department, inquiries on any matter pertaining to house finishing and furnishing. Careful 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. 
M uch interest has been aroused among 
builders and contractors in the unexpected 
impetus, suddenly developed in their line 
of business. 
The man who has managed vvell and husbanded 
his resources although these may be limited, is taking 
advantage of the low rates, both for materials and 
labor, existing at this period, to build himself a house. 
There has certainly never been a like opportunity 
olfered during the present generation for carrying 
on building operations. 
Many of the Building and Trade Journals have 
recently published carefully gathered and proven 
statistics which are in a measure responsible for this 
development in building. The facts set forth go to 
show that to-day is the time to build. This is not only 
true architecturally but applies equally to the fur¬ 
nishing of homes. All goods from wall-papers to floor 
coverings may be bought now at a much lower rate 
than during our recent season of extreme prosperity. 
While every good citizen heartily desires the return 
of good times and rejoices that this seems imminent, 
there is no reason why he should not take advantage 
of the silver lining of the passing cloud and build his 
home and furnish it at a reduced figure which will not 
he possible to approach in a few months from now 
and was equally impossible a year ago. 
In all of our great cities the large shops have this 
season inaugurated furniture sales which, in point of 
reduction in price, have never before been eijualed. 
We are not now referring to the cheap, badly con¬ 
structed, over ornate, highly varnished stuff which is 
costly at any price, but to furniture of good lines and 
well put together, in fact the work fiom the best 
shops and designers. Wall coverings, both imported 
and domestic, are less expensive this year than last. 
Drapery materials and fabrics for upholstering show a 
reduction which is marked and even in Oriental rugs, 
the change of price is felt. Therefore the careful 
manager should avail himself of the opportunity to 
secure materials for building and furnishing his house 
at bargains such as have rarely before been offered. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
AN INEXPENSIVE DRAPERY MATERIAL 
I have redecorated my daughter’s bedroom using a 
dainty paper showing the dimity pattern which you 
recommended to me. The woodwork in the room is 
white and I have used dotted muslin curtains next 
the glass. I would like very much to have some 
figured cotton fabric for over draperies and also use 
the same to cover some loose cushions for a willow 
chaise longue. Also if it would not be unsuitable, I 
would like to use the same material for a bed cover 
as it is a single bed of white iron and I would like 
some color added. I do not wish to pay over fifty 
cents a yard for the fabric. 
Answer: We are pleased to be able to suggest to 
you a material which will be not onlyjyery decorative 
and artistic and complete the color scheme of your 
room, but in price is well within your limit. This is a 
crinkled cotton crepe showing a floral design. The 
background of the one I have in mind is a yellow tan, 
very light in color. The design in full blown pink 
roses and green leaves are in charmingly delicate 
tones. This fabric is twenty-nine inches in width. 
Under separate cover I am sending you samples of 
this material together with addresses of firms from 
® . . 
whom it can be obtained. This could be used for 
your bed cover if you desire or you could make a val¬ 
ance of it and allow the white coverlid to fall over it, 
if finished with a f ringe. 
DOING OVER OLD FURNITURE 
I have a very nice lot of old walnut furniture which 
I am told is of the Eastlake period. It looks very 
dingy as there is a great deal of drilled work in its 
ornamentation. 
We feel it would be a pity to paint it but it needs a 
thorough going over of some kind to make it pre¬ 
sentable. It shows two colors, the brown of the 
(Continued on page I2, Advertising Section.) 
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