Editor’s Talks and Correspondence 
These distinctions might prove confusing to the pros¬ 
pective builder, were it not the policy of the best stain 
makers to supply not only tbe materials to properly 
finish the wood, to their customers, but full information 
regarding the peculiarities of the various woods; 
also sample panels are sent out upon request which 
practically show the effect of the materials upon 
specified woods. Pieces of the actual wood 
trim to be used in the house are sometimes forwarded 
to the makers of wood finishes, treated at their facto¬ 
ries, and returned to the owner with complete speci¬ 
fication of treatment to obtain the effect shown. They 
thus put in his hands a convincing proof to his 
painter that such beautiful effects are obtainable. 
A dull finish such as above referred to which is 
durable and acts as a preservative to the wood is very 
desirable. There have been several such finishes 
put upon the markets in the last few years. One in 
particular is most successful as it withstands moisture 
and the effects of the sun and can, therefore, be safely 
used about the windows as it does not spot, crack or 
turn white. This is considered quite a triumph in 
varnish making as previously the greatest difficulty 
has been to find a material which would be impervi¬ 
ous to these conditions. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
ENAMELED GREEN FURNITURE 
T AM very anxious to furnish a living-room in a 
country house (which is to be occupied most of 
the year) in a way which will be appropriate and 
comfortable. I have had the walls of my living- 
room painted a flat soft green, rather light in tone, 
according to suggestions you made me some time ago. 
I have procured this paint ready mixed and the effect 
is most satisfactory. The woodwork of the room 
was also finished at your suggestion with white en¬ 
amel which was given a slight tint of gray, it is really 
almost oyster white in tone. The ceiling is also 
gray and extends to the picture rail. The room is 
sixteen by twenty feet, well lighted and has two 
French windows. I am particularly desirous of 
using furniture which is suggestive of the Italian, 
the simplest type one sees with the seats and backs 
of wicker or cane. I am anxious to find such pieces 
as I have in mind, either ready finished in enamel of 
the appropriate shade of green or in an unfinished 
state, so that I may have them treated. This is 
possibly a vague idea, though I have seen furniture 
on these lines, but I am unable to find out where it 
was purchased. What over-draperies would you 
recommend for the French windows and two case¬ 
ment windows ? I have a two tone rug in shades of 
tan or champagne, it is really lighter than tan. 1 his 
is a hand-made rug, and if it will not make the room 
too colorless I should like to use it. It will, perhaps, 
not be entirely harmonious with the gray ceiling and 
oyster white woodwork. Give me your opinion 
on this point. 
Answer: We are pleased to send you the address 
of a New York shop where you can obtain the green 
enameled furniture with wicker. The set com¬ 
prises a small divan of excellent lines, four chairs, 
rather squat and low and an arm chair. While the 
lines of these pieces are simple in the extreme there 
is a slight ornamentation in the form of carving which 
is picked out in oyster white, and yellow tan enamel. 
This is very effective and decorative, and looks 
much better than it sounds in the description. This 
additional color will serve to bring your rug into 
touch with the room, particularly if you tint your 
ceiling in a shade more champagne than oyster 
white—something between the two. Thin crinkled 
silk which sells for ninety cents a yard and is thirty 
inches wide, will make admirable curtains for your 
windows. We would suggest that you match the 
green of your walls exactly in this. For the French 
windows it should be run on rods set on the top and 
bottom of each division, and held tautly in place. 
At the casement windows it should run by casings on 
rods set on the window frame, the lower edge reaching 
to the sill. A three inch hem should finish this edge 
—this may be hemstitched if desired. 
FURNISHING A COLONIAL BEDROOM 
I am furnishing a colonial bedroom for which I 
have a quaint four poster of mahogany which is really 
old, a wing chair for which I desire a covering, a high¬ 
boy of some hard black wood which I cannot name, 
but which I should like to know. I want some 
quaint and appropriate straight chairs to use in this 
room, also a small work table, and any other piece 
you may deem essential. Some material in blue and 
white figured cotton goods for door curtains, couch 
cover and perhaps for the wing chair. I shall use 
plain white matting on the floor, and want one or 
two rugs. What shall I get ? Shall I use a white 
coverlet on the bed, and what kind of curtains shall 
I use at the windows ? I have neglected to say that 
the walls are covered with an oyster white, two tone 
striped paper and the woodwork is white. 
Answer: A blue and white material, heavy in 
quality and rather coarse in weave, that closely 
resembles the hand woven blue and white of our 
grandmother’s days, comes in striking designs 
of closely interwoven leaves and rushes in white on 
a rich blue ground, and costs $1.85 a yard and is 
sixty inches wide. From this I would recommend 
you make your door curtains, over-draperies for 
your windows and cover for the wing chair. Your 
couch you might upholster in plain blue denim or 
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