SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SHOPPER SEEKING DISTINCTIVE THINGS—GIFTS THAT WILL MAKE A 
HOME MORE COMFORTABLE AND MORE ATTRACTIVE—WHAT TO GET AND WHAT IT COSTS 
-TABLES, CHAIRS, WOOD-BOXES, BRASS BOWLS, PICTURE FRAMES, LAMPS, USEFUL ORNAMENTS 
by Sarah E. Ruggles 
I N the selection of gifts for the holiday season the buying 
public is fortunately becoming more inclined to accept the 
useful as beautiful, and thus many are unconsciously becoming 
followers of William Morris, adopting his standard as a gauge. 
The reaction against foolish, fussy bits of bric-a-brac is becoming 
more pronounced each year. 
Where ten years ago a hand-painted plaque, or a monstrosity 
of a table of onyx and gilt, was imposed upon the unfortunate as 
a gift, to-day a tray of beaten copper or brass is chosen, as it has 
a decorative value as well as serving its utilitarian purpose at tea 
time. A craftsman table or teak-wood or mahogany stand takes 
the place of the onyx horror. There is probably no single piece 
of small furniture more generally acceptable in the home than 
a table, and for this reason one can scarcely err in presenting one 
as a gift. 
There are good reproductions of 
the Colonial work-table which could 
not but bring joy to the heart of the 
recipient, especially if needlework is one 
of her hobbies. These little tables are 
made in a variety of good designs, some 
being rather delicate in construction. 
The illustration of the Sheraton work¬ 
table shows something out of the ordi¬ 
nary, and the excellent proportions of 
this example make it a most attractive 
piece of furniture as well as serving a 
useful purpose. The cost is $32. 
If one is looking for small fitments 
that will adjust themselves properly to 
a room where the Colonial idea has been 
adhered to in the furnishings, the can¬ 
dlestick with its etched globe will be an 
agreeable adjunct to the mantel-shelf; or 
the mirror, which is such a perfect repro¬ 
duction of the Colonial style, will fit well 
into its surroundings; while the tip-top 
table is an economical space saver and 
at the same time a quaint reminder of 
the furniture of our grandmothers. The 
one shown is 24 inches both in height and 
diameter and costs $13. The candlestick 
with globe, complete, costs $5, and the 
Colonial mirror, with frame 9 inches wide by 28 inches high 
is $5.25. 
The small mahogany tea-table and tray, in size 17 x 24 inches, 
with satinwood inlay, costs $18 complete. The trays may be 
purchased separately and adapt themselves to a variety of uses. 
Some of these have plate-glass bottoms in place of the mahogany, 
and can be purchased from $7 up, according to size. An oblong 
tray 25 inches in length costs $9. There are also tea-tables made 
in practically the same design as the one shown, the only difference 
being that there is a lower deck, and this is often found of great 
convenience to the hostess whose serving space is limited. 
The tea cart makes a most acceptable gift. Those of ma¬ 
hogany made with movable glass trays cost $48. Designs very 
similar to these are made of wicker and are most appropriate 
for service on the porches during the 
summer season, or in the sun parlor, or 
room where the character of the fur¬ 
nishing is in harmony with the informal 
wicker effect. 
To persons living either in small quar¬ 
ters or having use for a number of tables, 
the drop-leaf will be a welcome gift. 
These come in a variety of shapes, sizes 
and designs. The one shown is a card- 
table and has the small drawer which is 
so convenient for stowing away cards, 
chips, tallies, and such accessories. The 
table illustrated is of mahogany with 
narrow inlay lines of satinwood and 
costs $18. 
Among the smaller articles now in 
the market there are, perhaps, none that 
adapt themselves to more practical, as 
well as decorative, uses than the brasses, 
but from the bewildering display one’s 
choice must be made with care. The 
bright brasses of simple design are always 
good and are more practical than the 
brush-brass finish, as the latter will in 
time scratch, making it necessary to re¬ 
finish; while the bright brass with age 
increases in beauty as it takes on the 
real rich copper color. An entirely new 
A tea cart makes a most acceptable gift for the 
owner of a big living-room. One of mahogany 
with removable glass tray costs $48 
(i93) 
