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Show HOME-MADE FURNITURE. There are many persons who have a prejudice against home-made furniture, and would prefer their rooms to present a bare and empty appearance rather than resort to the many contrivances which economy and taste might suggest. For instance, one may make a very pretty wash stand by taking a common packing box, have a shelf fitted on the inside of the lower part for brushes, shoes, etc., cover the top with cretonne [?], and around the edge arrange a lambrequin of the same, cut in points and finished with lace or fringe. Have a frame made to extend about three feet above the top of the stand, over which drape curtains of cretonne, and finish same as lambrequin. The effect is charming. Then the satisfaction of having accomplished it yourself by displaying a little ingenuity will amply repay you for the time it may take. There are numerous ways of changing an ordinary cane-seated chair into really elegant parlor furniture. Put a castor on each foot, and revarnish it, then tack a piece of strong crash from the top over the back and seat, which fill [?] with moss or hair, to produce a thick pad, lay a double quantity over the top of the chair. Then tack another piece of coarse crash over the whole. Finally, finish with any material you may fancy, and complete by tacking fringe around the edge. An exceedingly shabby chair thus renovated will present a most ornamental appearance. Bands of embroidery on the back and seat aid materially in imparting a finish to these chairs. It is these trifles that impart an air of comfort and ease to the homes of some persons, while others with ten times the expense will never make their houses anything more than "houses filled with furniture." |