If the mantel is covered, the table should be, particularly where
the latter is of marble, for marble in parlor furniture is well nigh
abandoned, and if uniformity is desirable, the covers in each instance
should match the curtains or contrast well with them.
In the matter of mantel ornaments the fault is usually found in
overcrowding. There is too much on the mantel and above it to be
tasteful, and the articles have the appearance of being on display
themselves, rather than adding to the beauty of the room in which
they are placed. The folly of overcrowding need not be enlarged
upon ; it is the getting of harmonious articles that concerns us most
now, and if the advice about buying leisurely is followed, this mis-
take will not be made.
In regard to having books in a parlor, even where there is but one
company-room, much diversity of opinion Is expressed. The effort
of every household ought to be to gather books enough for a book-
case of some kind, even if it consists of only a few pine shelves, and
these ought always to be in the family or sitting-room, where they
can be in frequent use, and not be borrowed indiscriminately. Visit-
ors not unfrequently borrow a book because they see it, and books
should not fall into such hands.
52 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.
As nearly every lady of the house desires to do as much in the
way of furnishing herself as is possible, the following directions for
making various articles are given, some of which are designed for
parlor ornamentation, while others are of a more general character
and suitable as hints to those desiring to improve articles already
supplied.
A pretty folding screen of home manufacture is made with a
foundation of black glazed paper, and it must come up to the edge
of the screen, so as to leave no place uncovered. The pictures
should be carefully cut out and arranged upon the surface, only they
should be pinned on before being fixed, that the effect may be seen.
Some people arrange the pictures one over the other, so as almost
to hide the foundation ; but pictures look far better placed sepa-
rately, only they must be carefully selected. It is best to have a
large one in the centre of the panel, and smaller ones arranged
round it, and colored pictures should always be preferred to the
prints. They should be fixed to the foundation with starch, and
care must be taken in making it that no lumps are left in it, or they
will get under the pictures and remain there. There is nothing so
suitable for the bordering of a- screen as stamped leather. This
should be about an inch and a half in width, and scalloped round the
edge, with a brass headed nail placed in each scallop. Maroon or
green leather are the colors that look best with the pictures, and, of
course, this bordering must not be put on the screen until it has
been varnished and has become quite dry.
Page 28
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
If the mantel is covered, the table should be, particularly where the latter is of marble, for marble in parlor furniture is well nigh abandoned, and if uniformity is desirable, the covers in each instance should match the curtains or contrast well with them.
In the matter of mantel ornaments the fault is usually found in overcrowding. There is too much on the mantel and above it to be tasteful, and the articles have the appearance of being on display themselves, rather than adding to the beauty of the room in which they are placed. The folly of overcrowding need not be enlarged upon ; it is the getting of harmonious articles that concerns us most now, and if the advice about buying leisurely is followed, this mistake will not be made.
In regard to having books in a parlor, even where there is but one company-room, much diversity of opinion Is expressed. The effort of every household ought to be to gather books enough for a bookcase of some kind, even if it consists of only a few pine shelves, and these ought always to be in the family or sitting-room, where they can be in frequent use, and not be borrowed indiscriminately. Visitors not unfrequently borrow a book because they see it, and books should not fall into such hands.
[illustration: page number 52]
As nearly every lady of the house desires to do as much in the way of furnishing herself as is possible, the following directions for making various articles are given, some of which are designed for parlor ornamentation, while others are of a more general character and suitable as hints to those desiring to improve articles already supplied.
A pretty folding screen of home manufacture is made with a foundation of black glazed paper, and it must come up to the edge of the screen, so as to leave no place uncovered. The pictures should be carefully cut out and arranged upon the surface, only they should be pinned on before being fixed, that the effect may be seen. Some people arrange the pictures one over the other, so as almost to hide the foundation ; but pictures look far better placed separately, only they must be carefully selected. It is best to have a large one in the centre of the panel, and smaller ones arranged round it, and colored pictures should always be preferred to the prints. They should be fixed to the foundation with starch, and care must be taken in making it that no lumps are left in it, or they will get under the pictures and remain there. There is nothing so suitable for the bordering of a- screen as stamped leather. This should be about an inch and a half in width, and scalloped round the edge, with a brass headed nail placed in each scallop. Maroon or green leather are the colors that look best with the pictures, and, of course, this bordering must not be put on the screen until it has been varnished and has become quite dry.