Stairs are a necessity, and their comfort and sightliness depend on several features. Steps must be broad and deep, landings wide and windowed, if may be. If they must be crowded into a narrow hallway it is better that they be made deep and sloping as space permits, and then inclosed with an archway and curtain at foot instead of a door. This also saves heat. But where the great square reception hall can be devoted to them they may be made a thing of beauty.
THE LOVER’S TALE.
Woodwork.
Says one writer, "There is a widespread illusion gone out through the world that to have everything in a dwelling 'finished in hard wood throughout,' as the advertisements say, is the only orthodox thing. Paint smells of turpentine and heresy." In this respect it is useless to deny that there is solid comfort in the permanency and genuineness of oak, walnut, or ash, that paint is powerless to give.
But the natural color of woods in many cases may fail to harmonize with the scheme of color to be carried out in the furnishings of the apartment.
In such case, the woodwork should be subjected to delicate, harmonious, painted tints, or polish or gilding, as the case may be.
WINDOW DECORATION.