Editor’s Talks and Correspondence 
CORRESPONDENCE 
CASEMENT WINDOWS 
A/TY house has a great many casement windows. 
It A Will you kindly advise me regarding the way 
these should swing, in or out ? Also about curtaining 
them. 
Answer: Ordinarily the casement windows should 
svsing out. There are some very excellent adjusters 
which are serviceable in holding the window in place. 
We are sending you the address of a company from 
whom information about this can be obtained. In 
curtaining the casement windows the rod should 
extend across the top of the window frame, and from 
this the curtain should hang. All curtains should 
be run by a casing on a small brass rod and extend 
only to the sill. Curtains should hang straight, as 
they are more effective than when caught back, 
unless the window is high, in which case one may 
exercise one’s ow n discretion in the matter. 
GIVING A DULL FINISH TO HIGH GLOSS VARNISH 
I am living in a rented house in which the wood¬ 
work is a great trial to me. It is not a bad color, as 
it is pine left in the natural shade, but it has been 
finished with a varnish that has a very high polish. 
Is there any way I can make this less objectionable ? 
Also I would like to know if it is possible to use white 
enamel on hard plaster of bath-room walls. I would 
like a finish which is durable and not affected by the 
steam from the hot water. I enclose a self-addressed 
and stamped envelope. 
Answer: We take pleasure in sending you the de¬ 
sired address. The material which is recommended 
for use over the high gloss varnish will insure you 
a semi-gloss finish which is very attractive. Re¬ 
garding the enamel for your bath-room, the material 
(the name of which we send) will be found entirely 
practical. The full specification will go forward for 
the application of these. 
STENCILING THE WALLS 
Is it possible to use a decorative stencil design in 
all-over effect on a wall ? The walls of my studio are 
covered in burlap which has been painted several 
times and, therefore, presents a much smoother 
surface than ordinary burlap. The color is a sort 
of neutral brown, and I would like to bring out an 
all-over design in either deeper or lighter tone. 
I enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope for 
reply. 
Answer: We are mailing you the addresses of 
several companies who make good stencil designs. 
Among these we are sure you will find something 
satisfactory. Your idea is a good one, and your walls 
should be most attractive when finished. 
SANITARY WALLS 
We have decided in our new house to do without 
any wall covering whatever, and hope that House 
and Garden can make us some suggestions for the 
treatment of the walls which will make them livable 
and attractive. There are four rooms on the first 
floor which open well together. The woodwork is 
yellow pine, stained brown. The exposure of the 
house is southeastern, therefore the dining-room 
and living-room are southeast. The library and one 
sleeping-room are on the other side of the central 
hall. We do not wish to use oil paint. 
Answer: There is a very sanitary wall finish made 
which comes in an excellent selection of colors. We 
would suggest that you write to the manufacturers 
whose addresses we are forwarding you, asking for 
samples showing yellows and browns of their ma¬ 
terial. Use the darkest color in the lightest rooms, 
with the hall the medium yellow tan. It would be 
well to try these samples with your woodwork to 
insure a harmonious effect. The ceiling tone should 
be the same throughout and extend to the picture 
rail. In color this should be a very light yellow or 
cream which will harmonize with all of the shades 
used. 
regarding willow furniture 
We have an attractive cottage home in the South 
in which I am desirous of using as much willow or 
wicker furniture as is correct. I am told that it is 
possible to have the willow furniture stained any 
color one may desire. Would it be well to bring out 
some of the colors of the wall-paper in the stains for 
the chairs ? Can one obtain tables in this style of 
furniture, and should cushions be used ? 
Answer: Your idea of using the willow furniture 
in your Southern home is very good, and a room may 
be very well furnished with this style of furniture. 
I would, however, advise one or tw o pieces of ma¬ 
hogany or oak introduced in the scheme as this seems 
to give stability to the w-hole. It is possible to stain 
the willow furniture in any color; however, some 
neutral tone is the best choice. If the woodwork is 
browm a lighter shade of brown for the wicker looks 
well, or wTere green is delicately used in the decora¬ 
tive scheme a soft moss green or grav green stain for 
the wicker is effective. A dull finishing varnish 
should be applied after the stain, which preserves the 
wicker and gives a very attractive effect. We are 
glad to send you the address of firms from whom you 
can obtain catalogues; also further information re¬ 
garding the stains. 
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