The Editor’s Talks and Correspondence 
harmonious colors and suitable design to use with 
this. Ecru draperies should be used next the glass. 
For the guest-room a delicate tint is suggested for 
the walls with white muslin curtains embroidered in 
pink at the windows with over draperies of a French 
fabric showing garlands of roses, and blue ribbon 
in the design, against a cream ground. For the 
owner’s room an upper third treatment of the wall 
with wall-paper is suggested. The paper selected is a 
particularly dainty one showing spring flowers in 
delicate tones of dull pinks and soft yellows. Over¬ 
draperies of yellow linen with embroidered muslin 
curtains next the glass should be used in this room. 
The wall to be tinted a faint tone. 
The selection of electric lights for the various rooms 
of your house should be made with care. Designs 
of simple lines should be chosen. The October 
number of House and Garden, contained an 
article which will probably be of service to you as this 
offers a number of illustrations of lighting fixtures 
suitable for such rooms as you describe. For your 
dining-room the hanging shade for straight electric 
would be a good choice. The finish for the fixtures 
throughout the first floor should be the same. Old 
smoked brass or wrought iron effect would either of 
them be suitable. 
TO REMOVE DAMPNESS FROM THE CELLAR 
We have had much difficulty with dampness and 
odor of mould in the cellar of a house which we built 
less than a year ago. Having found that House and 
Garden is willing to help its subscribers in all direc¬ 
tions, we come to you with the request that you will 
advise us practically what to do in this emergency, as 
we do not feel that we can go to the expense at present 
of digging to get to the outside of the cellar wall which 
doubtless would be the correct way to handle this. 
We enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope 
asking the favor of a prompt reply. 
Answer; We are glad to be able to send you the 
name of a material which will probably meet your 
needs. This is a material which may be applied 
like paint to your cellar walls and is impervious to 
dampness. 
EXTERIOR COLOR FOR SHINGLED AND CLAPBOARDED 
HOUSE 
We are just beginning to build a small house which 
will be our permanent home. So many of the houses 
in the small town in which we live show unpleasant 
color combinations that we have determined to be 
very careful in making our choice of stain for the new 
house. No paint will be used except for the trim and 
porch pillars. The drawing we send you will show 
you that these are not heavy. 
Kindly recommend a suitable stain for the 
shingled upper story and the clapboard walls of the 
body of the house, also the stain for roof and the color 
for exterior trim. The house sets close to the street 
and has a brick red painted frame house as its 
nearest neighbor. 
Answer: Select a good moss green shingle stain for 
the roof of your house. For the shingles of the body 
of your house, a dark brown stain is recommended, 
lower clapboarding to be treated with a lighter brown 
stain. Ivory white paint is advised for the trim. 
This will give you a harmonious scheme and one 
which will look well in any surroundings. We are 
sending you by post the addresses of firms from 
whom you can obtain samples of shingle stain and 
paint that you may select exactly the right shade. 
SELECTING THE MANTELS FOR THE HOUSE 
I have been greatly interested in what House and 
Garden has had to say recently in regard to mantels 
and chimney-pieces. As I have a house now in 
course of construction, the first floor of which opens 
up well, I am desirous of having some personal advice 
as a guide to me in selecting the mantels for hall, 
dining-room, library and reception-room. Kindly 
advise me of the best choice to make. 
Answer; We regret that you failed to send your 
address,as before giving you any advice, it is quite, 
necessary that you furnish us with further informa¬ 
tion. A rough draft of your floor plan showing the 
relative positions of rooms and the position of fire¬ 
place in each room, would be of great assistance in 
giving you practical aid. Also it is essential that we 
have some idea of the general architectural design of 
the house; the character of the woodwork, and the 
detail of same should be described. With this in¬ 
formation in hand we can be of service to you. 
Timely House Suggestions 
LEILA MECHLIN 
O ctober is chiefly given to matters of furnish¬ 
ing but November recalls attention to the 
house itself. Cold weather is at hand and prepa¬ 
rations must be made to withstand the winter 
storms. Have the storm doors and windows put up 
without delay, fasten up the cracks, see that the 
weather strips are in condition, but don’t forget that 
no matter how low the mercury in the thermometer 
drops, fresh air and ventilation are essential to health. 
Provide for warmth, guard against drafts, but don’t 
make it impossible to give every room in the house a 
good daily airing. Where hot air is used for heating. 
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