A group a windows or picture window, if you are fortunate enough to have either, may be a center of interest by day; usually two chairs in front of the window are preferable to a sofa. Or two love seats may be used at right angels to the wall, with a low table between them. A bookcase placed back of a sofa gives a needed upright. In the photograph below a good arrangement typical of contemporary decorating is shown – a comfortable sofa and chairs, with one of the new long, low coffee tables within easy reach.

Brick or stone used in building a chimney and fireplace opening are left exposed today as shown in the attractive corner fireplace to left. From a decorative standpoint the “pointing” or mortar should be inconspicuous and blend in tone with the color of brick or stone. Knotty pine for walls and floor makes an attractive combination, found in may of the one-story rambling houses.

How to curtain a large window

Panel – type windows in a large group are glazed with insulating glass in the picture on the opposite page. This is a feature of modern building which it is well to consider, as it makes a room, or an enclosed porch a joy the year round. One, or more, of the glass panels may have doors set in, but with one door, as here, it becomes a glass wall. The light may be controlled by casement cloth, or gauze curtains, hung from the ceiling to the floor with traverse cords. Rubber tile flooring, piano player, modern furniture, a comfortable sofa, and large lamps make this room as attractive as it is live able.

The daylight wall of insulated glass is one of the most pleasant features of our twentieth century building. Above is a library alcove with the bookcase, nearly ceiling high, as a partition, and easy chairs with the best of light. Draw curtains of heavy shantung regulate the light and close at night.

Built – in book shelves with deep file drawers or cupboard below them as need dictates, combined with a writing table which may be a drip – leaf, are shown to the left. The typewriter has a shelf of its own and the convenient lamp, radio, and books make this a wise use of space for any room in the house. Light – colored wood, birch or bleached maple, is combined with plywood walls.

Quality of rugs and fabrics:

Painted and waxed floors, hooked rugs: in early American rooms, especially, painted or waxed floors with hooked rugs are in character and very attractive, because of the colorful, interesting rugs of all sizes which are being made in the hooked weaves and designs. Bare floors which are well laid, stained, waxed, or painted – with the good materials now on the market – may be kept in order with very little trouble. A walnut tone not light oak is the best color for stain. In old

Size of rug: except where scatter rugs are used, the style today is to have the rug follow the outline of the room, allowing a margin of from six to twelve inches between wall and rug around the entire room. In modern rooms and in much of the contemporary decorating – a term used for today’s manner of decorating – the floor is completely covered from wall to wall. Wide widths broadloom are manufactured in Chenille, Wilton, Ax Minster and Velvet, in all sorts of plain, textured and patterned weaves.