Correspondence 
as a line for your wall treatment. I would suggest that you cover 
the lower wall with a dull purplish red Japanese grass-cloth. 
The wall from the top of the mantel frame to the cornice at ceiling 
angle to be covered with a paper, showing but little of ivory back¬ 
ground, and against this a large conventionalized crimson blossom 
and dull green leaves. The lower edge of this paper can be cut 
out and applied over the grass-cloth or the joining of the two 
may be covered with the plate rail. The ceiling tint should be 
the shade of the background of paper which is so dark a cream 
as to be almost ecru. I bis will harmonize with your tiling. 
I am glad to be able to reproduce for you some cuts of furniture 
such as I would advise you to use in this room. The Chesterfield 
sofa, price $125.00, can be used in duplicate, one placed on either 
side of the fireplace and extending into the room. The army 
club chair, price $40.00, is also a good model for use in this room. 
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CHESTERFIELD SOFA 
These pieces should be covered with dull green, cut velour and 
tufted as shown in the cuts. Wicker Hong Kong chairs will look 
well here with these. Use loose cushions, covered in any of the 
soft pastel shades shown in your rugs. Raw silk should be used 
for these coverings. For 
your window draperies I 
would suggest ecru net next 
the glass with over-draperies 
of raw silk brocade, in the 
shade of mulberry, matching 
the lower wall. The price 
of this silk is $3.25 a yard, 
and it is fifty inches wide, is 
firmly woven and holds the 
color well. The material 
suggested for covering the 
furniture also wears well and 
sells for $2.15 a yard. It is 
also fifty inches wide. The 
Pickwick arm chair, price 
$20.00, can be used singly or in duplicate in this room and should 
be covered with a tapestry of soft colors. The frame of the chair 
is of oak, and in color a trifle lighter than your woodwork will show. 
There is a floor finish on the market which is entirely satis¬ 
factory and which closely re¬ 
sembles wax. It is more last¬ 
ing, however, and easier to 
take care of. It is clear and 
shows the beautiful grain of 
the wood very clearly. 
SELECTING RUGS 
Rugs asks: 
Can you tell me how to select 
Oriental rugs ? I wish to pur¬ 
chase several for a large living- 
room and I am afraid to rely 
entirely on my own taste in the 
matter as I have never studied 
the question. The walls of the 
room in which I wish to use 
these are rich mulberry red in 
color. 
Answer: 
T here are some entirely reliable houses which specialize on 
rugs and where you will receive the most careful consideration 
and advice when you are dealing with them. There is a firm who 
makes purchases of rugs for clients. This firm is well recom¬ 
mended, and charges a very small commission for its services. 
There are many reliable books which have recently appeared on 
this subject which it might be well for you to look into. If you 
desire it I will be pleased to send you the addresses of the firms 
to which I have referred, and the names of these books. Send 
me a self-addressed envelope for this purpose. 
REDECORATING AN OLD HOUSE 
Redecorating states: 
I have purchased an old house, and wish to make it livable by 
the expenditure of but little money. The problem which is con¬ 
fronting me now is what to do with the walls. These are some¬ 
what cracked, but otherwise in fairly good condition. I like a 
plain wall surface and would prefer to paint or tint these, but 
I know that any filling I may use in cracks will show through the 
paint or tint. What would you advise me to do ? 
Answer: 
There are excellent strong materials to be purchased which 
will meet your requirements exactly. I particularly favor a 
heavy cloth like the material used for the binding of books. 
This comes in good colors, and sells for fifty cents per square 
yard. It has a surface like crash and can at any time be recolored 
should you desire to change the decoration of your house, and 
it is not difficult to hang properly. This particular material 
does not hold dust as some other fabrics for walls are said 
to do. 
ENGLISH WALL-PAPERS 
Boston writes: 
Can you recommend to me a shop where I can obtain the best 
selection of English papers. 1 am particularly well disposed 
toward the hand-block, large conventional designs. I enclose a 
self-addressed envelope. 
Also, please suggest best wall color for room 18 x 20 of north¬ 
eastern exposure. Phis room is to be treated as a half formal 
living-room. Would it be practical to use a deep frieze of rich, 
dark effect and a lighter lower wall ? 
Answer: 
The address requested has been forwarded to you; that is the 
address of the wholesale house located in New York. They 
will doubtless supply you with the names of firms carrying their 
goods in your own city. 
I would recommend that you use a wall-paper showing con¬ 
ventional design in shades of yellows and browns, running from 
rich brown to greenish brown. This can be used for the wall 
covering of the upper third of your room. This paper shows a 
design which it is possible to cut out and apply to the lower wall, 
obtaining a very unusual and striking effect with very little 
additional effort. The grass-cloth which is recommended for 
the wall covering with this will afford you a fairly light wall and 
one which will make an excellent setting for your furniture. The 
number of this paper is 93150. Should you desire to see it I 
would suggest your writing to the address I have furnished you. 
The Japanese grass-cloth is a most satisfactory wall covering; 
the price of it is seventy-five cents a square yard. This is carried 
by most wall-paper houses in large cities, as it has come to be an 
important factor in house decoration. 
CURTAINS FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS 
There have been several unsigned letters sent to this depart¬ 
ment asking advice in regard to making and hanging cur¬ 
tains for windows and doors. There will, in the early spring 
be published an article treating these questions fully and 
specifically. 
83 
