Persian embroidered " scarfs " or chair scarfs, are now used instead
of the obsolete tidy. In the window recess place a pedestal to support
a group of figures, a statuette, or jardiniere filled with flowers or plants,
real, not artificial. An ottoman, gilt frame, upholstered in black satin,
embroidered with natural colored flowers, will here find a place. A
Turkish, Byron or great republic army easy chair will add immense
comfort to this room. The center of the mantel is usually occupied
by a handsome clock and bronzes.
At either end of the mantel a bust in bronze or bisque, or Louis
Quinze designs, representing shepherdesses, village girls crowned with
flowers, and village lads with straw hats decked with ribbons.
There is still room for a plaque upon which may be exquisite groups of
flowers, marine views, rural landscapes or groups of figures in quaint
or familiar costumes. A pretty ornament for mantel or bracket is a
little frame in the shape of a palette mounted on a miniature easel.
The palette bears some neat design — a boy fishing or a little girl gather-
ing flowers — while in the lower right hand corner is a bow of dark red
or blue satin ribbon. Plaques are brought out in charming relief when
hung against a rich background of velvet or silk. The Minton tile is
also largely used for mantel decoration. A single tile is taken, orna-
mented with a landscape or figure-piece and then mounted on a little
stand. Back of the statuettes or busts, are placed silk or velvet ban-
ners or fans, in deep rich colors. On the tables and mantel are quaint
card receivers, flower holders, ornaments in bisque, hammered brass,
and china.
The library has but few ornaments. Handsome pictures, one or two
heavily carved massive tables, a few straight-backed library chairs, and
one Sleepy Hollow to curl up in and read on a stormy day or evening;
soft rugs, a foot-rest and a bookcase with glass doors, are all that is
necessary. It is quite the fashion now to have curtains on rods hung
before the book-case in place of doors, but as they do not keep out the
dust, nor afford even a glimpse of the books one is so proud of, the
fashion will doubtless prove to be an evanescent one.
THE SITTING OR FAMIL Y ROOM, 157
THE SITTING OR FAMILY ROOM.
The sitting-room is the family room of the house. Here they gather
for the pleasant chats of the day or evening ; here is spent the greater
share of their time, and for this reason, if no other, should this room be
the prettiest and cheeriest in the house. Let no formality preside here,
When the room is entered it should be so bright, so cheerful, that sad-
ness and depression drop away. A somber room will give any one the
blues, and for this reason use all that is possible of the bright martial
red ; it arouses triumphant feelings, joy and gayety.
Page 138
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
Persian embroidered " scarfs " or chair scarfs, are now used instead of the obsolete tidy. In the window recess place a pedestal to support a group of figures, a statuette, or jardiniere filled with flowers or plants, real, not artificial. An ottoman, gilt frame, upholstered in black satin, embroidered with natural colored flowers, will here find a place. A Turkish, Byron or great republic army easy chair will add immense comfort to this room. The center of the mantel is usually occupied by a handsome clock and bronzes.
At either end of the mantel a bust in bronze or bisque, or Louis Quinze designs, representing shepherdesses, village girls crowned with flowers, and village lads with straw hats decked with ribbons.
There is still room for a plaque upon which may be exquisite groups of flowers, marine views, rural landscapes or groups of figures in quaint or familiar costumes. A pretty ornament for mantel or bracket is a little frame in the shape of a palette mounted on a miniature easel. The palette bears some neat design — a boy fishing or a little girl gathering flowers — while in the lower right hand corner is a bow of dark red or blue satin ribbon. Plaques are brought out in charming relief when hung against a rich background of velvet or silk. The Minton tile is also largely used for mantel decoration. A single tile is taken, ornamented with a landscape or figure-piece and then mounted on a little stand. Back of the statuettes or busts, are placed silk or velvet banners or fans, in deep rich colors. On the tables and mantel are quaint card receivers, flower holders, ornaments in bisque, hammered brass, and china.
The library has but few ornaments. Handsome pictures, one or two heavily carved massive tables, a few straight-backed library chairs, and one Sleepy Hollow to curl up in and read on a stormy day or evening; soft rugs, a foot-rest and a bookcase with glass doors, are all that is necessary. It is quite the fashion now to have curtains on rods hung before the book-case in place of doors, but as they do not keep out the dust, nor afford even a glimpse of the books one is so proud of, the fashion will doubtless prove to be an evanescent one.
[illustration: THE SITTING OR FAMILY ROOM, 157]
THE SITTING OR FAMIL Y ROOM, 157
THE SITTING OR FAMILY ROOM.
The sitting-room is the family room of the house. Here they gather for the pleasant chats of the day or evening ; here is spent the greater share of their time, and for this reason, if no other, should this room be the prettiest and cheeriest in the house. Let no formality preside here, When the room is entered it should be so bright, so cheerful, that sadness and depression drop away. A somber room will give any one the blues, and for this reason use all that is possible of the bright martial red ; it arouses triumphant feelings, joy and gayety.