November, 1918 
21 
Italy of the 14 th Century—that pivot of 
the mediaeval cycle—is perpetuated in this 
chamber. The walls are of old gray plas¬ 
ter, against which are hung curtains of 
deep coral damask with a heavy fringed 
valance. The bed is an antique, a 14 th 
Century piece, in walnut and polychrome. 
A richly figured damask cover with a deep 
fringe maintains the dignity of the bed. 
The little bedside chair, also a 14 th Cen¬ 
tury antique, has a seat pad tied on with 
tasseled cords—a quaint device. Orientals 
are used on the floor 
On the other side of the chamber shown 
above is a wide fireplace with a carved 
mantel. A tryptic and a pair of fine old 
K’ang-Hsi beakers in coral ornamentation 
are used for mantel decoration. The doors 
are solid oak fitted into the openings with¬ 
out wood trim. The ceiling is arched and 
in that rough plaster one finds universal in 
Italy, its rough texture giving it rich values 
and a variety of light and shade that is 
pleasing in such a room. John Hutaff, 
decorator 
Another Italian chamber boasts a little 
14 th Century bed raised, as was the custom 
of the day, on a platform. A pair of old 
commodes make bedside tables. Behind is 
a Flemish tapestry that is in perfect char¬ 
acter with the rough plastered walls. A 
coverlet of velvet bound with heavy 
fringed galloon is thrown over the bed and 
the foot-board. A stool is covered in the 
same material. One object typical of the 
lAth Century chamber, oddly enough, 
seems lacking — some religious symbol. 
John Hutaff, decorator 
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