In order to obtain the real benefit of the fireplace, it is necessary to have a broad comfortable sofa or an upholstered mahogany seat in front of it. In back of this should be a small mahogany table on which an ornamental lamp may stand. On each side of the table can be drawn up large comfortable chairs. This arrangement permits the light of the lamp to fall in the correct position for anyone wishing to read in the chairs or on the seat in front of the fireplace. At one side of the fireplace a large wing-chair would be well placed. The bookcases would, of course, be unnecessary if there were a library in the house, but where the living-room is to answer the general purposes of the family, the book-shelves would be found very useful, and could be movable or built in as part of the finish. Between the northern windows a fine position is obtained for the piano, on the right of which is a good place for a davenport.
Where a living-room is long, various parts of it may be devoted to different uses, one end being a library and the other a sitting-room for instance, with a corner for deskwork
The disposition of the minor pieces of furniture need not be mentioned, except the fact that a pier glass at the opposite end of the room, between the two southern windows is a very decorative treatment, and that the corner at the left affords a place for a tea table or a Colonial pie-crust table.
The low hanging center light is rapidly being superseded by individual fixtures about the room or hung from chains. The three-quarter paneling here is attractive when combined with some conventionalized frieze design
In addition the electric lights are provided with switches, and in the baseboard around the room are two plugs for attaching portable table lamps. There must also be a bell registering its signal on an annunciator in the kitchen—one ring for a maid—two rings for tea, or as the housewife may arrange.
The cost of the furniture used in this room, covered in cotton, made from the architect's drawings, would be as follows: 18th century sofa, rolled ends, $90; and it requires 3–⅙ yards of 50-inch goods to cover it. Low-boy with drawers, $90—size 2 ft. 6 in. × 4 ft. 6 in. Tip-top tea table, 38 in. in diameter, $60. Martha Washington wing-chair, $54, in cotton; requires 5 yards of 50-inch goods to cover. Martha Washington armchair, $40, in cotton; requires 2 yards of 50-inch goods to cover. The crown ladder-back side chairs would cost about $35 each in cotton, and the armchair to match, $40.
As a general color rule for decoration, red should be used for north rooms and blue for east and west rooms; the warmer tones in living-rooms than in bedrooms. This shows a good use of scrim curtains with a gathered valance
The beamed ceiling, door and window casings, mantel and wainscot in the room would cost about $450. If the wainscot were omitted about $75 would be saved—the mantel and marble facing cost about $100 separately.
A. Raymond Ellis
The use of a single large rug as the basis for the floor covering is often very satisfactory. This house shows an interesting treatment with a molding that acts as cornice
There is something in the restraint shown in the fireplace of Indiana limestone with no mantel shelf that overdecoration could never have obtained. An interesting feature is the use of candle sconces as an auxiliary to the electric lighting
Heavy woodwork requires the use of heavy, substantial furniture. In this room, where the appearance of craftsmanship is prevalent, such furniture is very suitable
A very unpretentious room, but one in good taste. The furniture has all been planned for a distinct location and has been built in to it
A large living-room demands some such architectural treatment as these pillars. The usual mistake is on the side of overdecoration. Here, however, a decided simplicity is employed, leaving the flanking windows in small bays
Oftentimes four beams only are used for the ceiling; two as a cornice and two framing in the chimney-piece
A consideration of modern house decoration is to provide comfort for all members. A small den off the living-room affords privacy when others occupy the living-room
In a California bungalow there is an interesting decorative combination where old heirlooms of furniture from the Eastern ancestors of the family are carefully preserved and Navajo rugs are used as a floor covering. These rugs and the Indian baskets are chosen of a color that will not clash with the polished mahogany
Another corner of the bungalow living-room on page 18 shows a good type of secretary. The Navajo rugs seem to add a tone of vigor that is not found in the rag rugs generally used in this connection
A living-room given a Manorial treatment with the use of Gothic arches. It is carefully treated, even to the rug, which is rectangular in pattern somewhat like the ceiling beams. Although this is in a great house, there is no reason why smaller houses might not be furnished with equal consistency
Two living-rooms in an old Connecticut Colonial house that are decorated with furniture in use during Revolutionary times. These flowered papers were considered very rich then and have colors well chosen as a background for the dark mahogany furniture
An antique stone fireplace forms the keynote for this room and gives the suggestion for large commodious chairs and lounges. The table and chair in the foreground show Jacobean influences
There is surely a decorative quality in bookcases that is heightened by the color of books when arranged properly. Perhaps the results might have been better had all the bookcases been built the same height entirely around the room. The furniture here is of a type that is particularly comfortable and wears well
A living-room decorated along Colonial lines, where the fireplace of red brick with wide white mortar joints is particularly effective. French doors open onto a veranda that is used as a living-room annex. The mantel is a reproduction of an old one