LAMBREQUINS AND CORNICES.
These are but little used, and in their places are straight, deep val-
ances, run on poles, with lace hangings underneath. Still, for some
rooms, especially those having deep-set windows, or bay windows, the
lambrequin seems the most appropriate. For these are used satins,
brocades, embossed velvets, plush, raw silk, reps, momie cloths and
cretonne. By laying broad bands of contrasting but carefully chosen
hues upon the body color, and feather-stitching them on with large
stitches of old-gold or dull red, these draperies may be made to blend
150 HOUSE FURNISHING.
the discord of the most ill-conceived rooms. Felt and wool goods
come in all the soft, rich shades. Never select too bright a color ; it
is not high or striking colors in masses, but subtle blendings and vivid
flashes which infuse a charm or illuminate what would otherwise be
dark and somber. Maroon, garnet and plum, with brighter trimmings
are colors that impart a warmth and vitality to a room that is charm-
ing.
Where the wall surfaces are entirely plain and the carpet little cov-
ered with design, most of the draperies may be figured and elaborate
in color and effect, but if the carpets are intricate in pattern and the
wall paper rich in colors, the draperies should be plain, and only the
borders broken or complex. Maroon, garnet, sage green, olive green
and drab are colors that will suit almost any room and surroundings,
and these grave hues can be enlivened with trimmings and embroide-
ries in rich colors.
There are a hundred shapes in which to make lambrequins, either
festooned, corded and tasseled, or just the plain surface with a rounded
or square center. If gimp is used to trim, it can be scrolled in the cen-
ter and in the broad part of the wings, about half-way down. If plain
goods are used, a band of velvet running around, with a scroll pattern
cut out of the velvet for center and sides. Sew this on close to the edge
of the velvet, then edge it both sides with thin cord.
To make a cornice for the lambrequin : Get a strip of common wood
the width of the window, six inches wide and half inch thick, nailing on
firmly two ends, corresponding in width to the front, and projecting five
or six inches ; get two cornice hooks and put them at equal distances
in the window frame, then put two screw eyes in the cornice, opposite
the hooks, so as to slip on easy and to let the ends of the cornice hang
snug against the wall ; then tack your lambrequin upon it, but when it
is hung like this (outside the cornice), there needs to be a band of trim-
ming across the top of the lambrequin — the same as the rest of the
trimming will do — but those flowered or other patterned strips that are
used down the backs of easy chairs, or upon foot-rests, are sometimes
used as a heading for lambrequins, and they look well. Another way
to make a cheap and pretty cornice is to use the same sized wooden
frame described above. Go to the paper-hangers and get the length
required of rich colored bordering, of which there is so much used at
present ; the colors and pattern are elegant, and cost a mere trifle ; paste
this upon the cornice, then put an inch and a quarter of gilded mold-
ing at the top and bottom, or black walnut, if preferred. If made like
this, small rings must be sewn on the lambrequins, and small hooks
be put in the cornice (under) to hang them by.
Page 132
Presented as published in 1886. 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
LAMBREQUINS AND CORNICES.
These are but little used, and in their places are straight, deep valances, run on poles, with lace hangings underneath. Still, for some rooms, especially those having deep-set windows, or bay windows, the lambrequin seems the most appropriate. For these are used satins, brocades, embossed velvets, plush, raw silk, reps, momie cloths and cretonne. By laying broad bands of contrasting but carefully chosen hues upon the body color, and feather-stitching them on with large stitches of old-gold or dull red, these draperies may be made to blend
the discord of the most ill-conceived rooms. Felt and wool goods come in all the soft, rich shades. Never select too bright a color ; it is not high or striking colors in masses, but subtle blendings and vivid flashes which infuse a charm or illuminate what would otherwise be dark and somber. Maroon, garnet and plum, with brighter trimmings are colors that impart a warmth and vitality to a room that is charming.
Where the wall surfaces are entirely plain and the carpet little covered with design, most of the draperies may be figured and elaborate in color and effect, but if the carpets are intricate in pattern and the wall paper rich in colors, the draperies should be plain, and only the borders broken or complex. Maroon, garnet, sage green, olive green and drab are colors that will suit almost any room and surroundings, and these grave hues can be enlivened with trimmings and embroideries in rich colors.
There are a hundred shapes in which to make lambrequins, either festooned, corded and tasseled, or just the plain surface with a rounded or square center. If gimp is used to trim, it can be scrolled in the center and in the broad part of the wings, about half-way down. If plain goods are used, a band of velvet running around, with a scroll pattern cut out of the velvet for center and sides. Sew this on close to the edge of the velvet, then edge it both sides with thin cord.
To make a cornice for the lambrequin : Get a strip of common wood the width of the window, six inches wide and half inch thick, nailing on firmly two ends, corresponding in width to the front, and projecting five or six inches ; get two cornice hooks and put them at equal distances in the window frame, then put two screw eyes in the cornice, opposite the hooks, so as to slip on easy and to let the ends of the cornice hang snug against the wall ; then tack your lambrequin upon it, but when it is hung like this (outside the cornice), there needs to be a band of trimming across the top of the lambrequin — the same as the rest of the trimming will do — but those flowered or other patterned strips that are used down the backs of easy chairs, or upon foot-rests, are sometimes used as a heading for lambrequins, and they look well. Another way to make a cheap and pretty cornice is to use the same sized wooden frame described above. Go to the paper-hangers and get the length required of rich colored bordering, of which there is so much used at present ; the colors and pattern are elegant, and cost a mere trifle ; paste this upon the cornice, then put an inch and a quarter of gilded molding at the top and bottom, or black walnut, if preferred. If made like this, small rings must be sewn on the lambrequins, and small hooks be put in the cornice (under) to hang them by.