House and Garden 
Please suggest something for a blue bedroom. 
Please let me hear from you at once. I send a self- 
addressed and stamped envelope. I 'would like a 
violet design and light sky blue ceiling for one bed¬ 
room. Do you think it would look wellThe design 
for the lower part of the room to be a bed of violets 
and shade off lightly with a scattering design half 
way up. 
Answer: We have taken pleasure in forwarding 
you the requested suggestions and addresses. Since 
the height of your ceiling is but nine feet we would 
not advise a drop ceiling. It will not be necessary 
to use the same wall covering for the three rooms 
which throw together, but careful selection of har¬ 
monizing colors should be made. For the reception 
hall we advise a yellow tan paper which can be 
finished with the pine cone frieze, the lower edge to 
be cut out and applied as shown in the sample we 
are sending or it can be finished by a picture rail at 
the lower edge over the joining, however, where the 
ceilings are low, as in your case, we would suggest 
that the frieze be cut out as shown and the picture 
rail placed at the ceiling angle. 
For your dining-room a sample of favrile green 
paper with the underlying suggestions of old red and 
blue is submitted. For your living-room the two- 
toned grass pattern in soft tan paper should be 
finished by the tree frieze, samples of which are sent. 
Samples of draperies suitable for these various 
schemes are also forwarded. 
We are sending you some bedroom papers showing 
a mingling of violets and pale blue. The ceiling may 
be tinted a pale blue if you desire. We have never 
seen a paper of the design you describe. It would 
have assisted us in making the scheme had you men¬ 
tioned the characterof wood used in the house, as this 
is usually a very necessary part of the color scheme. 
Timely House Suggestions 
LEILA MECHLIN 
HIS is the month of all others when the house 
is put most strongly to the test—the time of 
home-comings, holiday cheer, and large- 
hearted hospitality. The big things should be laid 
aside and the little things, which mean so much, 
given attention. If there are any great changes to 
be made, or troublesome repairs needed, postpone 
them if possible until January, at the earliest, and 
give this month to comfort-making. To be sure, it 
is absolutely essential to attend to the drains, to see 
that faucets do not leak, that chimneys do not 
smoke, and that radiators serve their purpose without 
grumbling or snorting, but more than this put aside, 
or temporarily forget if possible. 
In the first place there is the guest’s room to be 
thought of Has it comfortable chairs, a desk, good 
light, sufficient heat, and adequate ventilation ? 
Does it seem livable, hospitable, attractive, or has it 
an air of distant chilliness, of having been pressed 
unwillingly into service ? There are lots of little 
things that can be done directly, and with small 
cost, to alter such conditions. Try curtains at the 
windows—muslin ones with creton hangings. Try, 
too, perhaps the effect of a window seat with cushions. 
Put a vase for flowers and some magazines on the 
table, and don’t hang the pictures you have no other 
place for on the walls. There was a time when the 
best of everything was placed in the unused parlor 
and the guests’ chamber, but alas! even then the 
best was not always lovely. 
And then give some thought to the chairs, not 
only in the living-room but all over the house. See 
if one in six will pass muster from the standpoint of 
comfort; if so, you are doing well. Why a pleasure 
loving people like ourselves should put up, unmur- 
muringly, with so much discomfort from this quarter 
is a mystery, unless, like the poor woman of tradition, 
we have “never known any thing better.” To be 
sure, the fault is somewhat with the manufacturers 
but it is also very much with the users for the supply 
is in response to demand. Of course, comfortable 
chairs can be had but for the most part they are 
expensive—wickedly expensive. However, there are 
remedies and make-shifts; care in selection means 
a good deal and cushions cover a multitude of painful 
humps and hollows. 
How about the settle that was to go by the fireplace 
this winter, is that yet in place ? Built-in furniture 
has its advantages and when properly designed and 
placed, nothing is more comfortable or attractive. 
Look about a little and see if things are arranged in a 
way inclined to encourage sociability and ease. 
See if the chairs are grouped conveniently, if the win¬ 
dows are accessible, and the tables serviceable. 
It is at this time, also, that the children’s room 
should be given thought, not only on account of this 
being the children’s season, but because now will 
come stormy days and long evenings when it will 
be much called into use. It should be bright and 
sunny, and its furnishings, while simple, should be 
genuinely attractive. Have a good warm carpet on 
the floor—one that will stand wear, and lend a note 
of lively color. Do not curtain the windows or 
elaborately decorate the walls. Provide a few good 
pictures and let the children take a hand in their 
choice. In the way of furniture have a substantial 
table, a book case, and several stout chairs which 
may at will serve various uses. A rocking-chair 
that can be converted into a horse or a chariot, an 
automobile or a stage-coach, is an invaluable asset. 
Don’t make the room too childish. There is nothing 
that little people enjoy more than, metaphorically, 
standing on tip-toe—playing grown-up. 
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